coping with nerves?

[emelia]

Just wondered how all of you cope with nerves before a comp or class. I Showjump and I get so nervous when I'm warming up!! I hate the collecting ring esp cos people can be so inconsiderate in there!!! Any tips from you professional out there on how to keep calm??!! My friend is always so relaxed and I don't know how she does it!! I think I have this feeling that I have no right to be there!!!

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Experience. The more things I've done, the less nervous I get. For some reason I feel worse after finishing a round of sj, rather than before. I think it's the relief of having survived another round!

And I always apply lavender aromatherapy stuff to me and the horse before doing dressage. I swear it works!

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

i have the same problem its awful isnt it, once iv done one round im ok and nothing can stop me, but in my first round, by about the 5th jump i feel incredibly ill!!

 

[emelia]

Oh thanks I might try the lavender!! Yes I think I need to keep going at it - have only been doing BSJA for 9 months and had current horse for just 6 months so we have had a few crappy days out whilst getting to know one another but getting better!! Always feel hugely more confident after getting placed as I suppose I feel I have a right to be there after all!! i worry what other people think which is stupid!! LOL!!

 

[SSM]

TFT

It really and truly works, can't explain why (don't want to know why) but it works - have a look at Jo's website


http://www.jo-cooper.com/

 

[kick_On]

or sloe gin

 

[emelia]

wow - that looks really interesting!! am going to print it off and have a good read tonight as also says it may work on animals and my mare is a bit of a cow when it comes to clipping!!! LOL!!!

 

[emelia]

ha yes the gin may also be good but knowing me Id have too much and get carried away and enter the 1.25m or something!!!!!!!

 

[emelia]

[ QUOTE ]
i have the same problem its awful isnt it, once iv done one round im ok and nothing can stop me, but in my first round, by about the 5th jump i feel incredibly ill!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm actually ok once Im over the first jump its that whole thing of WAITING!!! esp if the bell hasn't gone and im going round and round and round!!!! ha ha!!!

 

[H-J]

Where do you put the lavender oil on the horse??

 

[Joules]

I used to take homopathic (cant spell - sorry) tablets when I was younger but im ok now, I agree its down to experience.

But dont forget that nerves are also a good thing, you dont want to get rid of them althogether otherwise you will loose your competitive edge!!

 

[eohippus]

Self confidence has been defined as the belief or degree of certaintly you possess about your ability to be successful in your chosen sport or about performing certain aspects within this sport. Some people are confident but posses a certain amount of self doubt. How you can help yourself with this is based on identifying your strengths and weaknesses, improving your focusing techniques and implimenting strategies that will control your anxiety.
individual performance accomplishment and goal setting will help, as will verbal persuasion.
Firstly in regards to your chosen discipline, write down ten things that you consider important qualities necessary to acheive good performance. (this can include physical, technical, psychological, strategies ect.
Then for each part of your list, rate yourself honestly in your pecieved ability to do these well. 1 - 10 ten being good.
This will give you feedback on your strengths and weaknesses and will give you things to set goals for. You may find that there are only a few things needing more work, you may find that actually you are competent in lots of them.
Then you need to write down some of the things you need to be focusing specifically whilst in the ring. ie. the Pace, the Rhythm, the Approach, the Contact. and when practising at home keep reminding yourself of these, you may only need to say aloud these key letters P R A C, this will help you to concentrate on what is needed rather than the external environment.

Also for anxiety Breathing is probably the most important thing to remember to do.
Use your key letters for focusing to help you breath, so breath in for P, breath out for R ect ect.

Tell yourself aloud that you have done well, YOu were really pleased with this or that movement or jump or whatever. Hearing your own voice saying something positive about yourself is very helpful. and/Or tell someone you trust about it. Ie your family, instructor or best friend.

Getting someone to video you will also help as you will be able to see what other see, it may not be as bad as you are worrying about, it will also give you an idea of any improvements that maybe needed, if any. It will also acclimatise you to being watched, although now you are using your key letters for focus and breathing you will not even be aware or bothered about it.

Hope this helps

Dawn

 

[emelia]

Thanks Dawn!!! That has been really helpful and i will def go away and draw up the list. i am already getting videoed at competitions and yes it does look better than it feels which is reassuring!!! but maybe i should do it at home too to see the diff when i am relaxed!! You are right about the breathing bit as in I DON'T DO IT!!!! I get very tense and hold my breath which prob makes me very rigid!!!

any way you have been very helpful so thanks for your advice (that goes for everyone who has offered advice here!!!)