At 06:12:48 on 10.04.11, nutie1 wrote:
Ok so I ride and I think I'm decent, but I'm not so good when it comes to shows. I can do barn shows easily, no trouble, but when I got to away shows, I tense up and lean forward freaking my horse out. I just get so nervous and it happens every time...any ideas? help?!

At 07:48:37 on 10.04.11, WhitneynDonte wrote:
Haha sit back and get a picture in your head of what you want, I suggest you really drill your mind on being calm and confident. I get this at home with my horse, haven't managed a show yet.... But if he really has trouble I suggest you take him to as many shows as possible and just learn to walk him around and relax, don't even enter them. That's what I'ma do when I begin showing... if I begin showing... haha jk.

At 08:43:47 on 10.04.11, CaraGenie wrote:
Rescue Remedy works wonders for both the horse and rider (can be picked up from pharmacies and health stores). I try and get out to one show a year, just to give Cedar a chance to socialize with other horses and to allow him to strut his stuff - we don't go for the ribbons or any of that garbage. Two things to remember at a show (or any time on a horse) are to breathe and smile. If you find yourself holding your breath, while you're just riding around sing to yourself as it's really hard to hold your breath if you're singing. And it also calms both yourself and the horse. Everything has a rhythm, and your heart will slow down to the rhythm of your song. Hope it helps.

At 15:49:09 on 10.04.11, nutie1 wrote:
thank you guys so much! I'll have to try the rescue remedy and singing in my head :) and I will go to the next show just to walk around w/ my horse :) Thanks again

At 18:43:46 on 10.04.11, WhitneynDonte wrote:
No problem! I wish ya good luck!

At 04:31:34 on 11.04.11, nutie1 wrote:
thanks!

At 04:52:20 on 11.04.11, kibby wrote:
just think about fun.. not the competition.. In jumping comps i would be so worried about the competition i forgot to have fun and nothing would go well at all! now that what i want is fun and if i can come back with a ribbon thats just an extra bonus.. I would recommend going in a class or what ever you are doing but not to compete against nyone else just so you can ride with them..

At 14:28:01 on 28.04.11, ashesnlp wrote:
Spend some time away from your horse thinking about what is really important about going to competitions. The answer might surprise you. Then set yourself a goal - maybe just going to a show and riding round without competing? Build up gradually and easily. Talk to your instructor, maybe try an NLP coach. Good luck Ken
http://www.ashesnlpcoaching.co.uk

At 03:31:20 on 16.06.11, Live2ridebcs wrote:
I used to get really tense at shows too, and it would make it so I never rode as well as I did at home, but two things really helped me: One was entering classes a little below my actual level, something easier. That way you know you can do it so you can focus on mastering the nerves of shows instead of pushing yourself to ride harder. The second thing was to get right into the ring. If you sit on your horse watching the others ride for a while, it gives your nerves a chance to build up. Just school until you go in and then get in there before you have time to realize its even a show! Once you get past the nerves, you will realize its nothing different from riding at home! Good Luck!