In the ZONE

YOUR HORSE’S TRAINING COMPETITION SPECIAL

IT’S QUITE COMMON that we become nervous on competition day and sometimes this can have a significant negative impact on how well we do with our horses. There are of course different levels of this effect: some people may get slightly nervous before competing, but it doesn’t really affect performance, whereas others feel so overwhelmed by nerves that their performance is really poor.

This matters not only for those competing at a high level, perhaps trying to qualify for something or do well at championships, but also at lower levels as it can affect our enjoyment of competing.

Preset reactions

So why do we get nervous around competitions, but not necessarily while riding at home? Our bodies all have a ‘preset’ reaction to a stressor (the competition), these reactions will vary but may include increased heart rate and breathing rate, and adrenaline release. It may also lead to shaking, sweating, dry mouth and feeling like you have jelly legs.

This stress reaction in your body is your fight or flight response, and