Sit back and relax

Whether it’s at the yard or in competitions, many people feel uncomfortable riding in front of others. This can be for lots of different reasons and it can even prevent you from having fun with your horse.

There are some common reasons why you might feel anxious about riding in front of others, but with some work you can manage these feelings and enjoy your horse, no matter who’s looking on.

No judgement

When riding in public, whether at the yard or elsewhere, do you believe that others are judging you in some way, causing you self-doubt and anxiety? Do you worry about making mistakes or performing poorly? This can be especially true if you’re competitive or working towards specific goals.

For example, you might imagine the worst-case scenario happening and assume it’s inevitable. This can make your anxiety feel much worse and even prevent you from challenging yourself and trying new things.

Perhaps you’re guilty of mind reading, which is a type of cognitive distortion whereby people believe they know what others are thinking, without any evidence to support their beliefs.

For example, you might assume that others are judging you and thinking or saying negative things about you when, in reality, they’re not paying much attention to you at all. This kind of thinking can be very self-defeating and lead to unnecessary anxiety.

Reassessing your truth

To begin managing a fear of judgement, it can be useful to explore your values around riding and define what’s important to you. This then forms your core purpose, which can help support you during any confidence wobbles.

Your mind doesn’t know the difference between what is real and imagined, so if you believe those other people watching are talking negatively about you, then your mind will take that as truth.

The key thing to remember is that you cannot control what anyone else says, thinks or does. So, allow yourself to spend time, energy and headspace focusing on those things that are under your control – such as how you respond (or otherwise), riding proactively and focusing on your horse’s way of going, as this will help you make positive progress.

Good enough

A need to present yourself in a particular way to others can actually stop you from doing anything at all. Sometimes, good enough is just that – good enough! No one is perfect. So why chase the impossible? Remember, scoring an elusive 10 in a dressage test doesn’t mean the movement was perfect, but rather that it was excellent.

Did you know?

You can only develop your riding skills and confidence with deliberate practice, by accepting constructive feedback and taking specific, appropriate action to improve.

Discover more techniques to help you feel confident riding in front of others in June Horse&Rider – on sale now!