#LearnFromTheBest: Tips for Focused Riding from Tonya Johnston

Horse shows and clinics can help competitive equestrians get closer to achieving their goals. New experiences, however, can present a number of challenges for riders at all levels. Distractions and feelings of anxiety may ultimately detract from a rider’s performance and influence the way the horse goes.

The team at STRIDER wants to help riders optimize their equestrian endeavors, from clinics to schooling shows, and beyond. Read on for some tips to stay focused in the saddle to enhance your experience, despite the new surroundings from Tonya Johnston, equestrian Mental Skills Coach.

Remember: “Fear of the unknown is natural and understandable. One very important principle to remember is that knowledge and information are power, and they will bring confidence. The more you know about what you’re doing and where you’re going, the better the experience will be,” says Tonya.

“Knowing What to Expect Brings Confidence”

“When going somewhere new, talk to people who have been to the facility where you will be riding. Get an understanding for what the stabling is like, the ring layout, where to park, et cetera. Details can cause glitches in your day when you don’t know about them, which can add a level of uncertainty as well as weird jigs and jags to your schedule and time management”.

“If you’re at a show, you need to direct your energy to what you’re able to control, it’s important to try not to spike your adrenaline throughout the day- you want to minimize the amount of things that ‘hit’ you because you didn’t account for them”.

Helpful Hint: For even more understanding, head to YouTube!

“Be creative with your search terms on YouTube. You never know what you may find! For example, there was a parent a few years ago who went to Harrisburg and walked around the whole show grounds recording. She basically gave a full tour of everything behind the scenes at the show, which turned out to be quite useful for those who hadn’t been there!”

“Stay in Your Boots”

“When you’re in a new environment, lots of things can feel distracting; the other riders in the warm-up area, the spectators along the fence line. Have a mantra so you can bring yourself back to the moment. You can use it as a reminder to stay focused on the things that are in your control.”

Some Possible Mantras:

• “Stay in Your Boots”
• “I am here, it is now”
• “Be where your feet are”

“Where Your Eyes Go, Your Focus Goes”

“If you’re in the warm-up looking at all of the new and distracting things in the environment, you’re feeding your worry with your eyeballs. You have to look and focus directly. For example, try to channel energy toward feeling your horse and channeling both of you towards a focal point.”

“Even your peripheral vision can be a factor here. Take time to ‘go wide’ and notice everything, then narrow down your focus. Think of a flashlight where you have a wide beam – generally the light is not strong – and then you twist the end of the flashlight to pinpoint the focus and get a stronger light. Take time to develop the skill of taking your focus wide and narrowing it down at will”.

Helpful Hint: “It’s important that we remind ourselves that we don’t control what others say, or do, or think about us. It’s a misuse of energy to spend time on that. Instead, keep yourself in the driver’s seat. Task yourself with learning 5 new things from an experience, and keep that your priority”.

“Respect What You Know”

“Go into a new experience with intentions, performance goals, and process goals that you are excited to bring to the event”.

Whether you’re headed to a horse show or a clinic with a top rider, “have a foundation for your focus of the things you know.”

“An example would be: ‘In my lessons last month, my trainer and I have focused on keeping my reins short and my hands in front of my body.’ Say to yourself, ‘I can bring those two goals into the equation.’”

By having an anchor for your focus, you create a situation in which you feel confident and can absorb the new experiences. It’s important to remember, too, the value of routine.

“Routine becomes even more important when you are somewhere that you’ve never been. Let’s say you’re at a special horse show, and maybe you’re a person who does yoga three times a week. Do some yoga in your hotel room in the morning before you head out the show! Your routine is your comfort zone, don’t let the schedule or demands of the day totally overtake what you would normally do – on your own or with your horse- to get in the groove”.

Helpful Hint: “Adjust and be creative with pieces of your routine. Respect what you know about yourself, and what makes you happy and comfortable. It’s part of good horsemanship to keep yourself and your horse happy.”

“We can’t snap our fingers and have fears disappear, but as riders we cannot allow them to be part of our operating instructions.”

Tonya Johnston, MA, is a Mental Skills Coach with a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology specializing in work with equestrian athletes. Tonya’s techniques help riders in a variety of disciplines including Dressage, Eventing and Hunter/ Jumpers to achieve their goals. You can find more from Tonya by visiting her website at www.tonyajohnston.com.

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