Perfection - help or hinder?

Ever felt like you wanted to do something but the moment you came to do it... you just kept putting it off?

I'm feeling that now - whilst trying to right this. Even though I'm passionate about writing and sharing about the potential impact perfectionism'- I overwhelmingly want to 'do it later'.

I feel pressure. Pressure to get it right and for this blog to be a success*.

I see this procrastination regularly whilst out coaching - the fear of something not being perfect preventing the rider taking that step forwards in trying. Without that step forward - no progress can be made which basically means you are STUCK.

Within my coaching packages, I work with the rider to highlight these high expectations, fear of 'failure' or crushing pressure of needing everything to be perfect. By building this relationship - we can work together make the next steps logical and progressive rather than a LEAP OF FAITH.

If you are feeling stuck with your riding - on 1st March I am opening up 2 spaces on my coaching packages.

Take this opportunity to address what's holding you back and make 2023 your best year yet!

(p.s. What does a successful blog look like?)

What is everyone thinking about you?

I come across this question often during my coaching - this worry about judgement and what other's might be saying about you (and your riding) behind your back.

I get it - I find myself anxious about other people's opinions of me...

• Am I riding 'well enough' considering I'm a horse riding coach?

• Do I look the part?

• If I don't do well in this competition - does that devalue me and my coaching?

• Does that person/client like me?

I realise that my worries are linked to my own insecurities but by bringing them into my awareness - I can shine a light on those feelings but also how they are impacting me, my actions and my riding!

I regularly tell myself the worse case scenario of what someone might think or say, but I don't actually KNOW this as fact. And from a pragmatic point of view - I know I can't control what they think about me.

So, if you find yourself anxious about that competition, clinic, lesson or even riding with other's around - take a moment to think what is the CAUSE of that worry and consider if you have control of what other's think of you?

I offer support and guidance through these types of challenges as part of my coaching packages - I will be soon opening up a 2 more spaces on 1st March - join the waitlist here

Happy riding you beautiful people x

Busman's holiday - Every day is a learning day.

Burghley horse trials for a week would be awesome any year but when you've effectively been on box rest for 13 weeks, boy did it feel nice to be out the house!!

What an amazing week we had - beautiful weather, a tonne of food & drink and plenty of quality sport.

As much as I always intend to relax and 'holiday' - this seems almost impossible considering how much I wanted to see & do. I am fascinated with everything and anything, for example:

First horse inspection - how are the horses moving? Which horse looks like it's going to explode during their dressage test? Also, having had my own recent (& ongoing) lameness issues - how do the riders move? Do they look fit & strong?

Dressage - I love to watch the horses work in - to observe the systems the rider has in place to produce the best 5 mins at exactly the right time. By watching the different horse/rider combinations (on the biggest stage) gives me fresh ideas on different techniques and coping strategies.

XC day- Okay, so I'm not a great fan of the crowds - so I stay strictly out on the course with a camping chair and bottle of Prosecco. Having walked the course already - I know exactly which jumps I want to watch & where from. I love to see the partnership between horse & rider when tackling these HUGE TECHNIQUAL jumps - after all - the horse hasn't walked the course, and effectively has no idea what is ahead. It's up to the rider to set them up as well as possible and trust the horse to understand the question. (Along with years and years of training & competitions obviously!)

2nd horse inspection - gives opportunity to see the horses move after effectively running a marathon the previous day. The vast majority of horses literally floated down the trot which was lovely to see.

Show Jumping - this phase was very influential this year with very few going clear inside the time. As the competitors jump in reverse order - the pressure was building and (strangely?) I like to see that even the TOP riders get nervous and look like they are going to throw up. It's easy to look at professional riders and believe they aren't human - that they don't feel nerves, they don't make mistakes or mess up. But we all do - even the very best - we are all human.

This leads me to think - why as recreational riders do we literally beat ourselves up over our nerves, mistakes or imperfections? Literally the best riders in the world, who are regularly competing more in one day then we are in a whole season, suffer from the same 'issues'. Is this just something we need to learn to manage rather than eliminate?

As I coach - I work with my clients to help put systems in place to manage their 'blockers'. By taking the time to listen and understand what is stopping them achieving their goals means we can, together, create a structured plan.

If you are interested in looking forwards - drop me a message to see how I can help you & your horse.