According to equestrian sports psychologists, there are things riders can do to overcome ring-related anxiety:
Make a dry run: An unfamiliar place can add stress on show day. Sports psychologist Dr. Paul Haefner advises becoming acquainted with the show venue ahead of time. “Take a drive out there,” he says. “Practice the route and become familiar with the facilities.”
Practice procedure: If loading your horse into a trailer rattles your nerves, go through the process a few times before show day.
Get organized: Haefner suggests adopting a show-prep routine and executing it in a timely fashion. “Make sure tack is cleaned well ahead of time and everything else is in place, so you’re not rushing around at the last minute getting stressed out,” he says.
Slip away: Show venues are usually busy, noisy places. But escaping the hustle — even for a few minutes — can have a calming effect, says Haefner.
Redirect: Concentrating on what riders can control in the ring works wonders when it comes to reducing anxiety. “For example, if you over-ride, concentrate on not tightening your legs around your horse,” suggests Dr. Janet Edgette, who specializes in equestrian psychology.
Just do it: Experience helps build confidence, says Haefner, so seize opportunities to participate.“If you show infrequently, do it more often,” Haefner advises. “Go to a show every weekend for three months, just to get the experience.”
And when you do, Edgette says, be sure to pack your pride. “Bring your dignity, no matter how you place or how you perform.”
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I had a horse rear up and roll over on me. I had only a few bruises, but I was terrified to get back on. My first ride was a trail ride and the horse a had bolted. I love horses, but would get scared even if the horse got the slightest figity. Then I got involved in a program called We Can Ride Inc., for disabled kids and adults. They start you out real slow and have a sidewalker. I can’t even come up with the words to say how happy I am to be able to get back on a horse again and not panic at every slightest movement. The secret is go slow, don’t push it, have support.
I get so nervous at shows that I mess up my horses performance. She starts getting nervous also. I am going to try going to more shows often, sounds like a great idea!
I had a really bad expierience with a horse and almost stopped riding. Thank goodness I didn’t because I would have lost the one thing that I love morethan anything else. I got over this fearby remembering all the good times I have had at shows and all the times that me and the horse have had all ou success. I how this will help someone out thee with fear because you will truley regret it if you stop.