5 Mental Performance Tips from Sports Psychologists & Coaches to Ride Your Best in Equestrian Competition

Competition day is more than polished tack and perfect posture; it’s a mental game. Whether you're entering your first schooling show or aiming for national titles, your mindset can make or break your ride.

At Equestroom, we believe looking and feeling your best starts from within. That’s why we’ve gathered insights from top sports psychologists and elite equestrian trainers to help you prepare mentally for your best performance, on any horse, in any ring.

1. Visualize Success Before You Mount

Tip: Use vivid multi-sensory visualization to mentally rehearse your test or course.
Quote: “Visualization … mentally rehearsing an event in your head as you want it to unfold, often including all the sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and physical sensations…” — sports psychologist Andrew Jacobs.

Effective riders close their eyes and see every stride, turn, and judge’s location before entering the ring. This builds familiarity and focus instantly.

How to apply it:

• Spend 5–10 minutes pre-event mentally rehearsing your ride.

• Include sharp turns, judge’s location, and even ambient noises.

2. Unleash the Power of Pre‑Performance Routines

Tip: Develop consistent routines (breaths, affirmations, tack checks) to cue your mind into competition mode.  Check your girth right before you go into the ring or give your trainer a high five. 
Quote: “Pre‑performance routines help to develop consistency … they allow the mind to relax and increase self‑belief…” - overview of sport psychology research on routines.

Whether it’s inhaling for 4 seconds or giving your reins a specific flick, routines remove doubt before you even mount.

How to apply it:

• Develop a simple pre-ride sequence.

• Include deep breaths (e.g. inhale 4s, hold 2s, exhale 6s), adjust stirrups, look to the course.

3. Reframe Nerves as Energized Excitement

Tip: Instead of suppressing anxiety, reframe it as controlled excitement and peak alertness.
Quote: Charlie Unwin and Olympic sports psychologists teach athletes to approach nerves as focus energy, not fear.

When butterflies appear, replace them.  

How to apply it:

• Replace thoughts like “I’m so nervous” with “I’m excited and ready.”

• Monitor physiological sensations and interpret them as heightened awareness.

4. Set Process‑Oriented Goals, Not Just Outcomes

Tip: Focus on small ride details (e.g., “maintain soft contact”) within your bigger performance ambitions.
Quote: Sports psychology research emphasizes that coupling outcome goals with process goals improves concentration and reduces pressure.

A focused rider is a sharper rider, even under arena pressure.

How to apply it:

• Pre-show: Define two process goals, like "Maintain a soft contact through the trot work."

• Evaluate post-ride what worked and what to refine next time.

5. Use Emotional Regulation & Mindfulness to Reset

Tip: Learn to identify your emotions mid-round, pause mentally, breathe, then refocus on the next cue.
Quote: “Signs of increased arousal … can be interpreted as either nerves or excitement… too much adrenaline will … result in mistakes.” — Dr. Lyn Pal.
Label the emotion, breathe, reset—then ride the moment without escalation.

How to apply it:

• Use mindfulness techniques in your warm-up, such as tuning into your breath or body.
  

• If you feel tension mid-round, mentally “reset”: identify the feeling, breathe, and refocus on what is next.

 Bonus Inspiration: Trainer & Horseman Quotes

• “Trust your horse with your life... It's a team effort.” — Zoie Brogdon 
  

• “Working horses is a little like being married. Sometimes you need to adjust and change your plan.” — Buck Brannaman 

• “A horse gallops with its lungs, perseveres with its heart, and wins with its character.” — Lester Piggott 
  
  

These reminders highlight the importance of partnership, adaptability, and mindset in every ride.

Bringing It All Together: Your Best Ride Yet

Written with equestrians in mind, these mental strategies empower you to perform confidently regardless of the class, weather, or ring size. Use them with your physical prep to ride your best under pressure.

And when you’re ready to make a style statement that matches your mental game, stay tuned for our Build‑a‑Bundle Black & White Lux line, designed to bring sharp strategy and confident presentation into every ride.