Banish your show day nerves

At whatever level you compete, show day nerves are likely a familiar obstacle. Feeling nervous before a competition happens to all of us – the skill is to manage and embrace it.

Even if you aren’t competing at the moment, whether that’s because a pandemic has put paid to your outings or you simply prefer riding without the competitive aspect, learning how to get a handle on your nerves can help your day-to-day life, too. The principles for managing your worries in the saddle are much the same as for a job interview or important presentation. So, let’s take a look at some practical stress-managements tools you can use.

Top tip

If you’re really suffering with your nerves, withdrawing or retiring may be the right decision for you – your safety is important.

Safety first

Before you can start to tackle show day nerves themselves, you need to look at the foundations you’ve built in training. Often, worries stem from feeling unsafe. If this is the case for you, you need to try and get to the root of the problem. Consider what’s worrying you specifically and what you can do to minimise the risks you’re concerned about. For example, wear a body protector or use a neck strap if you’re worried about a fall causing an injury that could affect your life out of the saddle.

A lack of strength or fitness can also lead you to feel a bit wobbly in the saddle, so it might be that there’s room for improvement in that sphere.

Great expectations

If you feel self-conscious about your performance, having spectators around can be a huge trigger. If this is an issue for you, you’d probably love to erect a big screen around you so you can work in the ring at a show just as you do at home, without the fear of being watched. Make use of this idea by imagining it. Visualisation is a really powerful tool for managing your nerves and shouldn’t be overlooked – the idea can feel silly to start with, but the impact can be enormous.

It’s also important to remind yourself of the supporters you have who are cheering you on and wishing you well, whether your day goes as planned or not. Fear of disappointing your supportive friends and those who help or accompany you can also feel overwhelming. While the idea of letting them down can be intense, remember that this is often overinflated – they’ll be  proud of you however it goes and just want you to enjoy the day.

Start the competition off by banishing those pesky nerves, check out April Horse&Rider, on sale 4 March 2021, to find out how.