dealing with show nerves

[PaulaM]

How do you guys deal with your show nerves?

I have to admit this past week my nervousness has been growing by the moment and it is only for a schooling show!!

However, that being said, our last venture into the arena didn't exactly goes as well as I had hoped or planned. In fact during our last test, we ended up getting a comment for our left canter work during the T-4 test as "Wild Uncontrolled".

Since than we have had a few setbacks, but in the past month have had tremendous steps forward due to getting some great guidance and lessons too.

I've been studying my tests and I know my horse can do this, but I am still nervous.

[FancyFree]

I have to exercise the day before, so I'm tired. Make sure I have everything laid out and ready to go, so that's not on my mind. Get a good night's sleep. Having my test called alleviates some nerves for me. Hmmm that's about it. Remember to breathe!

[SarahandSam]

At my first show when I was nervous, my friend talked me into throwing a bridle onto my horse as soon as I got there (just after dawn) and going for a relaxing bareback walk around. It did help me relax and sort of see it as fun rather than nerve-racking.

[lostislandfarm]

Remember to breathe and to have fun!!!! You put a lot of money, work, time and effort into this!! You are going to do your best and whatever it is - it is! Enjoy it! If things do not go so well - so what?- work on them for your next show or just for yourself, if they do go well then cherish that!! This is not about a life or death situation (unless you are on a nutcase of course;)) but about something you love to do!

[mjhco]

There are some great sports psychology tapes available. You might get one. My coach/trainer INSISTED I listen to them after I got so nervous show after show and rode like I had forgotten every thing I ever new.

The key thing to me was to REMEMBER and BE CONFIDENT in what we do well. That comes from preparation. So at the show concentrate all that you do well. Do not fixate on the 'what if'.

It is hard for me to remember this because every day all day at work I have to concentrate on 'what is broken' so I can fix that. And in schooling we work hard to improve what is not so good. We do spend time perfecting what is going well. I have to put on a different hat at the shows.

[purplnurpl]

I don't have issues anymore. I used to drink a mikes hard lemonade before the jumpers.
relaxed me and my horse was soo much happier...and I started winning. yey!

I have friends that take Xanex.

[CanterQueen]

Vodka. Lots of it. :winkgrin:

[Kelly in NJ]

Make your goal for the show not related to your performance in the show ring.

Make your goal for the day something simple and attainable and not related to your score or place. For example, "Have a relaxed warm-up", "Get more comfortable with loading the horse in the trailer"...etc. The test is then not the main focus of the day, and when it isn't, it usually falls into place. Invite a non-horsey friend or family member and relax and explain the day to them as it happens. They will think your horse is pretty no matter what. :winkgrin:

Also, show a level below what you are schooling at home, and go to the show prepared to ride the warm-up the same way you warm up at home.

Think to yourself, no pressure, this is the same thing I do every day, just in a different location.

[honeydoozy]

I don't have issues anymore. I used to drink a mikes hard lemonade before the jumpers.
relaxed me and my horse was soo much happier...and I started winning. yey!

I have friends that take Xanex.

"Better living through chemistry"... :winkgrin:

I have *struggled* with all kinds of show anxiety, and finally found that a little anti-anxiety medication for me goes a long way towards making my horse (and my trainer!) a lot happier on show days.

Someday, maybe I'll be so confident (and experienced) that it won't be such a big deal...but for now, I do what I gotta do to make sure that we are having FUN, not making myself sick over the whole thing. :)

[Horsepower]

Calmx Forte, which is sold over the counter at supermarkets, drugstore chains, and at health food stores is a good nonprescription relaxer. I hate to hear of riders using alcohol or drugs that can become addictive. The psychological tapes are also useful. Another good thing is to save tapes of professional riders who have had disastrous rides, LOL. I have a bunch of these and it is great to know even the best riders have had crummy showdays! One of my favorites is the Grand Prix rider who fell into a water hazard and came up dripping wet. He doffed his helmet to the crowd and all had a good laugh. Posted on this Dressage forum is a tape of a horse cantering outside the ring in a dressage test. Realize that everyone can have a bad day at home or at a show.

[MelantheLLC]

Make your goal for the show not related to your performance in the show ring.

Make your goal for the day something simple and attainable and not related to your score or place. For example, "Have a relaxed warm-up", "Get more comfortable with loading the horse in the trailer"...etc. The test is then not the main focus of the day, and when it isn't, it usually falls into place. Invite a non-horsey friend or family member and relax and explain the day to them as it happens. They will think your horse is pretty no matter what. :winkgrin:

That's brilliant. Love the alternate goal idea.

[PaulaM]

It is wierd, for this show, I am going in with only one goal and that is to get my horse around the ring.

[dwblvr]

Wine always helps!

Sometimes I think scribing a few times with a judge early in the season helps too. Judges want you to have a good ride based on my discussions and observations. Made me realize that they aren't so scary after all!

[J-Lu]

Great advice so far! Here's yet another thing to try and think about.
When you go in the ring, don't think you are riding the movements and then being judged. Instead think that you are showing the movements to the judge one at a time to see what she thinks.

In other words, don't think "Am I too fast? Am I too slow? Did she notice I went a little past B? Is she going to ding me? OMG, is my horse getting too strong?!". That makes your whole mental train of thought negative and tends to make people ride more like passengers on their horse - reacting to what happens instead of making it happen.

Instead think " I think this is a good trot, maybe a little fast, but I'll see what the judge says. I went a little past B so I'll be sure to make my next transition right at A. My canter has been much improved so I can't wait to show her that. Ooops, it got a little out of control, but that's just one movement, I'm going to make the squarest halt I can at X to make up for it". This makes the experience positive, and makes you PROactive in your riding, not REactive. And it helps keep you confident and calm. And when you are confident, you have fun - even if/when you mess up!

You're not curing cancer, you're just riding your horse around in front of someone who you are paying to give you feedback. Have fun!!!!! :D

[mp]

It is wierd, for this show, I am going in with only one goal and that is to get my horse around the ring.

Sooo ... what are you afraid of? Falling off? Looking stupid? Forgetting your test? What the judge will say on the test? Decide what's bothering you most and do your best to work on that. And then make a firm resolution that, no matter what happens, you'll both be fine.

I was more nervous at my last show than I can ever remember. The weather was god-awful, my horse was a bug-eyed fool, I was riding a test I wasn't quite ready for and I was there by myself. I kept asking my horse "Whose idea was this anyway?" :lol:

I took many many deep breaths, and decided to approach the whole thing in baby steps:
I'll get dressed, and just tack him up ...
We'll go down to the warm up and just work in hand ...
If he'll stand still, I'll get on ...
If he seems OK, we'll just walk and trot a little ...
If he'll canter to the right without bucking, I'll go in ...

We did it and survived. You will, too.

[JackSprats Mom]

It took me a year of showing before I 'lost' my nerves and became a little more zen about it.

For me, honestly, I just remember that its five minutes and it won't change the world for better or worse. If I put no pressure on myself I don't stress. And there is no pressure, I'm doing this for me, no one else, there is no 'fail'...although there can be 'funny' moments ;)

Also as J-Lu said, I think about each movement but in a light hearted way like 'oops overshot B but I can make it good at E'. This makes the experience positive, and makes you PROactive in your riding, not REactive.EXACTLY!

I also mentally ride the test before hand and ride it like I imagine myself as some amazing dressage star..mental preperation is 90% of a test..the other 10% is in God's hands :winkgrin:

[OnyxThePony]

It is wierd, for this show, I am going in with only one goal and that is to get my horse around the ring.

Well, it sounds like you did that at the last show, so I would set a higher goal, actually. Just believe in yourself a little more. :)

[slc2]

Or a little less.

The best thing is that you are aware of show nerves. many people who have them don't feel nervous at all, but their muscles tense up and the horse feels a difference in the aids, and doesn't perform as well.

People vary in what they are afraid of. For some, it's of failure, it's performance anxiety, essentially. They put so much pressure on themselves to be perfect, and at a show, they imagine everyone will be watching them and see if they make a mistake, and they'll be humiliated, or just that they will be angry at themselves if they aren't perfect.

For others, it's of a horse being unpredictable, bucking or shying in an unfamiliar place, and they might get thrown and get hurt. It isn't necessary for the horse to be spooky at all for someone to be afraid of that.

For some, it's just plain old anxiety, and they have no idea exactly what caused it. It just is there, and entreaties to 'find out why you're nervous' don't really work.

My suggestion is different from fancy frees, to exercise the day before and get tired. it works for her and may also for others, so it's worth a try, but I'd suggest getting tired out at the show, LOL.

Take your horse, and hand walk him around the show. For 2 hours. Walk and walk and walk and walk. Graze. Walk some more. Graze. Walk some more. Two hours. Walk and walk and walk. If there is a schooling period, get there at the start of the period, school, and then do the walking, going in all the rings. All around all the rings too. Around and around and around. During riding, horses in hand need to stay a certain distance from the rings and not interfere with warmups. Keep walking, LOL. Walk and graze, walk and graze. Make the show a familiar, comfortable place for you and your horse. Using a bridle with the flash off and a longe line fastened to the bit can help you control your horse if he gets startled and still allow him to graze. Stick to safe areas. Avoid utility cables, excavated areas, and try to stick close to the show area without interfering.

If self talk helps you use that. You can also use imagery and imagine yourself going aroundn the ring. I don't find everyone is helped by imagining a perfect test. Better it may be to actually imagine having a problem and working thru what you would do about it. Jane Savoie has a zillian good suggestions in the book 'That Winning Feeling'.

[Velvet]

Sometimes, I've had people do the "make it worse and then it's better". If you do the test by memory, you have a LOT more to worry about. :lol: Seriously, you'll be more worried about remembering things than anything else. Often you end up just riding and mentally only worrying about the next move. So you forget to override your horse and freak out over everything you imagine could have been better. You stop worrying about what happened and get worked up about remembering the next move. Now does this remove all nervousness? Nope, it sometimes redirects it. The first few times you do it will be hard, because you'll hate the idea of forgetting the test, but not about riding it. Then, after a while, you will either not worry so much about memorizing, or you'll be able to use a reader and won't be as worried about the ride.

I really think that for most people it's what you focus on. When I rode in my first recognized show (a million years ago and when I was VERY young) I had a horse that was a bit out of control and I had a HORRIBLE test. The best part was the judge. It was an older judge (famous, too) who smiled at the beginning and end of the test (even though the horse would NOT halt) and wrote on the bottom of the test "Don't worry, it's the first test of the day!" I figured if a well respected judge could be that encouraging and sympathetic, I could probably give my horse and myself a break. :D It didn't take away all my nerves, but it did start me down the road to relaxing!

(BTW, I'm not one for better living through chemistry. I'd rather work through it. Eventually it will get better.)

[PaulaM]

This year I had a few setbacks with regards to my riding and am currently working through them. Including a "new" phobia about cantering on the right rein (back in June, my horse popped the left shoulder, taking us both into a pine tree, causing me to fall off and crack my helmet), and again a couple weeks later attemped to do the same thing again, but I bailed and landed on my feet. I had been working on my own for the pretty much the past year and unfortunately had allowed my horse to get quite crooked.

I went to a friends place in Calgary in June 20 - 22 and did 3 lessons in which we started dealing with the crookedness issue as well as to re-build my confidence. Since being at home, I have now taken 6 lessons with a new trainer and things are coming together, slowly, but surely.

Now on to the show: Saturday my nerves did get the best of me. Started out with the Walk/Trot "B" test and ended up with a 56.19 and 4th place (out of 8). Our Training Level Test 1, we had a few minor errors and ended up with a 50.00%. Than I made an error, I looked at my scores for my 2 tests and got depressed, even though we had made a few minor erros, I though we had done better in our Training 1 test. So when I went into my Training Level Test 2, I was really more of a passenger going through the motions than a rider and we scored a 49.something.

Sunday went much better for me. I had scratched out of the 3rd ride (Training Test 4) the day previous as I thought it was too much for me and my boy, especially with the heat. I also did something else too. I had stopped at Tim Horton's on the way to the show grounds for my normal coffee, than went to the concession when I arrived and had them put a shot of Irish Creme in. Not a big shot, just a little. It is not something I would normally do, but figured it may just calm my nerves that little bit that was needed. For my Walk/Trot B test, I ended up with a Mid-58% mark (3rd out of 3, a 4th person has scratched) and for my Training Level Test 3, I got a 58.4% (was 7th out of 14)!!! I was so very happy and my show ended on a very positive note.

For my 1st recognized show (August 1 - 3) with my horse, we are going to play it safe so to speak due to my nerves and on the Friday/Saturday, we are going to do the Walk/Trot Tests (both A and B) and on Sunday, I will attempt Training Level Test 2.

For my 2nd recognized show, which will be August 15-17, We are planning on Training 1 & 3 for the Friday, Training 2 & 4 for Saturday and Training 4 for Sunday.

I think one of the reasons for my nerves is my lack of recent experience in the show ring, especially under a "real" judge. I have only done 1 season on the recognized circuit and that was back in 1999. Yes, I have done a few schooling shows, but the judges for those are always people I know, mainly from them being competitors at shows I have helped out on.

[PaulaM]

Oh, before I forget, After my Training 2 test, the judge told me I had a great attitude, see, no matter what my horse threw at me, I just dealt with it calmly and kept soft in the tack and after one exuberant canter transition, I started laughing.

[Foxhound]

www.dressagedaily.com has an article by Jane Savoie today about dealing with show nerves. It's worth a read.

[Dressage Art]

I can speak at conferences with 300+ people watching/listening to me, teach a class and that is a breeze for me, but I always was very nervous before any dressage shows or music concert (use to play piano). I use to have upset stomach a day before the show and my hands would tremble when I would wake up at the morning. That was many shows ago… now I judge schooling shows myself, but yet I still get nervous to enter at A. What helped me:

* Reading Jane Savoe books:
It's Not Just About the Ribbons: It's About Enriching Riding (and Life) with a Winning Attitude http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Just-About-Ribbons/dp/1570764018/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216668506&sr=1-4
That Winning Feeling!: Program Your Mind for Peak Performance http://www.amazon.com/That-Winning-Feeling-Program-Performance/dp/1570760497/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216667850&sr=1-2
That Winning Feeling!: A New Approach to Riding Using Psychocybernetics http://www.amazon.com/That-Winning-Feeling-Approach-Psychocybernetics/dp/0943955572/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216668506&sr=1-6

*Taking it easy a day before the show. Not over scheduling myself.

*Allowing plenty of time at the show and allocating 30 minutes to sit and reflect/relax before the test.

*Some kind of calming product such as Bach Flower Remedy or any calming herbal pills. Once I took Nightquil instead of Dayquil when I had a cold during the show and that was a very relaxed show for me ;)

*Remembering that judge is on your side and rooting for you! Remembering that judges who show know that so many things can go wrong during a test and it’s about how you COPE with problems, not about problems!

*Be prepared that something will go wrong during a test and have a plan for your problematic movements.

*Set a small, personal goal and get a reward for yourself at the end of the show. For example, if I can get a relaxed flying change on my next show, I can buy a horse necklace from the show tack vendor or yet another saddle pad ;) or I can treat myself to Baskin robins... oh the rewards are endless!!!

*At first, avoid shows/judges that make you nervous.

*Start with small goals and built up gradually. Don’t expect big improvement from yourself at once.

[PetraR]

Well done Paula, it will only get better with more exposure to shows!

I dont' get nervous or hardly ever get nervous before or during a test. However I defiantely don't ride as well in a test as I ride at home. I am slower in riding corrections when things go wrong and I have a tendency to focus on "sitting pretty" instead of riding.

I am not showing this year due to finances but next year I am hoping to get into a couple of schooling and recognized shows!

[mainerinmd]

Best thing I did was take a friend who told me to breathe, relax and trust my horse. Once I relaxed - so did my mare...except when the HUGE horse eating bug landed on the top of her rump and then the judge rang the bell for us to go in! Thankfully once we started the test she was all business...Our first show together in 4 years and we scored 67+ for First 4.

[fatorangehorse]

If you can, enlist help in the care and prep for your horse - or do it well in advance so that you're not frantically rushing in the end and you have a moment to take a few breaths calmly think through your test before you get on and head to warm up.

If possible - hire or get a friend who you can someday return the favor to:
braid, tack / groom - or again do well in advance.

If the division is large enough, it helps me to watch a few others go either before I get on or mounted before I warm up. It helps me me to feel confident I know the test pattern, and seeing anything that might be a bobble for them reminds me - 1) those things happen and nobody died, 2) how I might make preparations to avoid the same issue.

I actually don't do well getting lots of last minute coaching from a trainer. I need to just mentally prepare myself with no interruption.

[Donella]

Paula,
I totally know where you are coming from. When I showed arabs (and we did this alot, all over ect) I NEVER got nervous, but I was always in the ring with others and I think that really makes a difference. My first dressage test (at at arabian show) went horribly, the bell rang all the time ..it was just a mess. I hated "dressage" for years after that ..until my interest was piqued about a year and half ago.

So, the Amberlea show on the long weekend will also be my first recognized dressage show too and I will be doing the other one there as well. I am already nervous! I hadn't even planned on showing, because it seems like I never feel prepared enough and just thinking about it kinda makes me nervous. But you know what? I think MOST of us feel this way, especially in the AA training/1st ect classes. So, I don't have alot of advice, but you are certainly not alone in that feeling!

ps..I have seen your horse ( I think it was someone else riding him??...at the beaumont schooling show?), hes is nice and you really have nothing to be worried about.

pps...baileys is never a bad idea:lol:

[neVar]

hey good for you!!!

the more lessons you get under your belt the more confident you'll feel in freddy. but seriously there is only ONE way to get rid of show nerves and that's to GO SHOW.

[Ibex]

Horse shows are one of the few times in life when it's acceptable to drink at 8am.

I make hot tea punch with Brandy, honey and chai tea on mornings when it's chilly...

[maple_brook]

Oh boy, when I used to ride hunters, I got so nervous before each class. The cure for that was repeatition, repeatition. By the end of the season, it was not a problem. ;)

Wine can definitely help, as long as you aren't riding at 8am. :eek: ;) (Sorry Ibex...I just read your post, that will definitely make the next show easier)

When I made the switch to dressage, I had a couple of tidbits that help the nervous to go away. Before entering the ring, I remind myself that they have removed the 8 fences and the 39 other riders from the ring. With only me and my horse, well, we have removed 99% of the ways I have to kill myself. :winkgrin: I loved showing my old tb, but he was a bit of a hot head sometimes.

All jokes aside, best way I cure nerves is in preparation. Make a list of everything you need to bring. Pack the trailer a few days in advance. Also (and this is my BIG one) when you memorize the test, add in 'smile' and 'breath' at different points during the test. I usually put those in when I am riding away from the judge, right before I am about to turn back towards them. You would be amazed at how much better you ride when you SMILE. My husband laughs when he watches me ride, because all of the sudden I will get this huge smile on my face. But the next couple of scores are usually higher. :D

Good luck!

[PaulaM]

ps..I have seen your horse ( I think it was someone else riding him??...at the beaumont schooling show?), hes is nice and you really have nothing to be worried about.

Actually at the show, he was ridden my two people. A Junior rode him in the Walk/Trot and I showed him HC in Training Level Test 1. Unfortunately, since than we had a number of setbacks, including a fall which really shook my confidence. I am now working on a regular basis with a coach and we are getting back on track but it is a slow process.

So I guess I will see you at both shows in August than. BTW, your entry form came through on the fax last night (I was there helping the Show Secretary as she is still learning the Fox Village Show Program).

I've also signed up for the clinic afterwards. It was hard to chose between the two, but given my research I am very happy with the choice I made.

[CurlyLindsay]

I used to have really debilitating show nerves. Training and knowing my horse better helped, but I still had major nerves- and a horse that reacted to my nerves by freaking out.

Got to the point where I tried the drink in the morning (helped, but I didn't ride as well), tried anti anxiety medication (which, as it turns out, only makes your brain fuzzily disconnect from an anxious body- so your horse still feels everything), and then talked to my doctor about a beta blocker. WOW. Talk about better living through pharmaceuticals. :lol: Your mind stays absolutely clear, your coordination stays top notch, but your heart slows, tremors stop, and there is a psychological effect they don't totally understand. - Muscians and performers use beta blockers frequently for stage fright and they are actually banned from the Olympics because they were becoming so common in archery/marksmanship.

I rode in front of thousands last weekend. A year or two ago that would have been impossible for me and my nerves would have sent my horse into a tailspin. With practice, training, and a little medication we really kicked it!

[grayarabpony]

I don't have issues anymore. I used to drink a mikes hard lemonade before the jumpers.
relaxed me and my horse was soo much happier...and I started winning. yey!

I have friends that take Xanex.


Hmm, I like the hard lemonade idea. One for me and one for the pony!