Call me short sighted, but it never occurred to me that Sports Psychology could be useful in equestrian events, but Seana Adamson, Ph.D., and Gold Medalist in the US Dressage Federation has created a list for her riders, and it’s a good list for any athlete or performer. All credit to her. You can check out the rest of her info here.
Here’s her list.
1. Performance Anxiety: Do you ever feel so nervous that it interferes with your ability to concentrate? This is called performance anxiety, and it is a very common occurrence in athletes of all sports. There are many Sport Psychology techniques that can help resolve this uncomfortable feeling.
2. Concentration and Memorization: The slightest lapse in focus and concentration can easily lead to points lost in competition. When we forget to prepare our horse for each movement, the quality of each movement suffers. Even if there is no obvious mistake, this lack of preparation can cause the loss of single points throughout the test.
3. Body Awareness and Relaxation: Do you leave your best performance at home? Does your body feel a stranger the moment you enter the competition arena? Sport Psychology can teach you to perform well whether you are calm or nervous.
4. Imagery and Visualization: These powerful mental techniques can enhance any training program, and allow you to continue your practice off the horse.
5. Self Talk and Affirmations: Our internal dialogue, they way we talk to ourselves, can have a big impact on our self confidence. Sport Psychology can teach you to become more aware of your inner voice, and how that inner voice can impact your dressage performance.
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