Worrying about losing to a rider, or being beaten by another, is a common mistake many riders make. Wondering if you’re going to beat someone or be beaten by someone else is just as common. Together this kind of worrying and wondering is called the opponent effect and is one of the most obvious - and overwhelming - causes of show jitters and performance anxiety.
You've heard me say this before and I’ll repeat it again now. You have no control or influence over the performance of anyone else, so worrying or wondering about them is just a waste of effort that’ll ultimately distract you from focusing on the many things that you can control. More specifically, yourself and all the efforts you’re going to make to ensure success.
While the opponent effect creates obvious stress and anxiety prior to (and during) a ride, it can also affect you following it. Comments like, “I should’ve beaten her” or “I wish he didn’t beat me” rob you of the valuable post-ride time needed to examine and learn from your experience. This is the time to lay the foundation for future success, and you simply can’t do that if you’re focusing on past opponents.
So, if you accept my advice and decide to no-longer view your opponents as threats, just how should you view them? Well, in a single word, as motivators. Other equestrians who work as hard as you and who have dreams and goals like you. Fellow riders who inspires you to reach deep, focus clear, and put forth your best effort; not so you’ll never lose, but so you’ll feel like you’ve given 100% of yourself in 100% of your rides . . . something you’re incapable of doing if you’re focusing even a small percentage on your opponents.
Here's a unique example of how two world-class athletes recently proved success doesn’t come from worrying about each other, but from using one another as motivators. Katie Ledecky entered the Tokyo Olympics as the favorite to win the 400-meter freestyle but a young Australian high-school girl named Ariarne Titmus shocked the world by beating her.
Immediately following the race Titmus was quoted as saying “I wouldn’t be here without her (Ledecky). She set this amazing standard and if I didn’t have someone like her to chase, I wouldn’t be swimming the way I am. I’m really grateful to have her."
In response, Ledecky gave her a hug, congratulated her, and said, “It’s been an honor to race Ariarne. I’m so grateful to have her to race. It was so cool that we were able to do this, to push each other. She motivates me and I think I motivate her.”
Perhaps stories like this, and endless other stories shared by elite athletes who’ve been trained to avoid the opponent effect can help convince you that the role of an opponent is not to hurt you but to help you. To help you feel powerful instead of powerless and to overcome things that might have previously overwhelmed you.
So, the next time your mind wanders to worrying and wondering about your opponents, always remember these four words:
RUN YOUR OWN RACE.
I hope you enjoyed this month's Pressure Proof tip and that I’ll get the chance to teach you in one of my upcoming mounted clinics. The focus of my clinics are always to help you match your strong leg, seat, and position with equally strong confidence, courage, and concentration. If you’d like more information visit www.PressureProofAcademy.com or email me at [email protected].
After not running in 2020 and 2021, the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event returned to the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Center in Quebec, Canada, in 2022. America's Jennie Saville (née Brannigan) and Twilightslastgleam won the CCI4*-L, as the chestnut Thoroughbred gelding (National Anthem x Royal Child) bred and owned by Nina Gardner moved up from eighth after dressage into the lead after cross-country with the fastest round on wet ground over the tracks designed by Derek di Grazia. Canada's Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge, a bay Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Lelia) owned by Patricia Pearce, finished second, and they are among four from the top-10 in the CCI4*-L in 2022 that return in 2023.
Hannah Sue Hollberg of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was on a winning streak at the Essex Horse Trials on Sunday, claiming victory in both the $10,000 Open Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions with two horses that are fairly new to her. Some difficulty on cross-country did not stop her mount Hachi from claiming victory in the Open Intermediate with a score of 101.6, while Open Preliminary partner Rockster finished on his dressage score of 27.3.
The great football coach Vince Lombardi said, “We win our games in practice.” With the goal of having the most effective practices possible for horses, their riders, and their coaches, Cathy Wieschhoff explains some signs that can indicate when horse and rider should repeat an exercise, switch it up, or be done with that activity. Wieschhoff brings perspective as a five-star rider that has competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials, a USEF “R” Course Designer for eventing cross-country and show jumping, a former Area VIII chair and member of the USEA Board of Governors, and a Level V USEA ECP Certified Coach based out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S at the Strzegom Horse Trials (Poland) from June 21-25, 2023. The team will be under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law.