Since I’m feeling particularly wilty today thanks to a very ill-timed cold, I find myself trying to get syked for the coming weekend. Catching up with friends! Pony time! Nice weather! All things to look forward to! And yet, still the little mean thoughts about embarrassing myself creep into my mind.
That’s when it’s time for a pep talk.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m obviously a visual person. While mind over matter is certainly a principle I subscribe to, the quickest and easiest way to regain confidence is to show myself I’ve done it before. Evidence that it has been done is proof that it can be done again. So here are some of the highlights of Foster’s career, my video pep talk for myself!
We can do this!
How do you mentally prepare for a show?
Red on the Right 
I panic! Just kidding. I like to visualize success and just get ready days in advance so I don’t have to stress.
Visualization is something I do for dressage, and I don’t know why I don’t do it for jumping! Maybe that’s part of my problem getting nervous for those phases!
you guys are going to be great! i’m super excited for you – best of luck 🙂
my mental show prep?? hrm, nonexistent? only started showing again this summer, and just at our home barn on days when i was too busy getting the morning chores done before my classes to worry too much.
Thank you!!
Shows at the home barn sound nice and relaxing! I think I would be a lot more relaxed if we were on our home turf!
YOU CAN DO IT! 🙂 I hope you are feeling better soon too!
I prep by trying really hard not to be anxious… and usually fail miserably, haha. But after schooling I always feel fine! So, there’s that.
I have to find a balance with schooling. I cannot do anything too serious the night before the show, because if anything goes too wrong it will make me even more anxious for the show. So I do all my serious schooling days before the show, and focus on relaxation the day before. I find it good for both Foster and I’s brains 🙂