Memorising a course of showjumps

It’s show day. You pack your lorry, get your horse sparkling, load up and arrive at the competition venue. By the time you arrive, you have just under 15 minutes to memorise the course and locate any problem areas before your class is due to start – so you resort to panic mode.

It’s so easy to succumb to pressure and rush through the course walk as fast as you can, overhearing snippets of last-minute discussions between other competitors, all the while learning the course at the most basic level so you can just about remember the order. But how can you quiet the noise and walk it your way? I’ve got five simple but effective mental techniques you can rely on to help you make the most of your course walk and give you the best chance of success.

Clear your mind

The human brain’s a powerful thing, but it’s easily clouded by thousands of noisy, stray thoughts. On competition day, this is especially evident during the time you’re waiting to enter the arena. In reality, it’s the pivotal period to try to clear your head and focus on the task at hand. With this in mind, walking the course should feel like you’re building a simple script.

Top tip

Trust in the fact that you know your horse, where you’re at with your training and your ambitions and aims on the day – nobody is as clear on this as you. So, focus on you and your horse and walk your own course, not anyone else’s.

Follow our five easy steps in April Horse&Rider magazine, on sale 24 March 2022.