Three months ago we began a conversation about riding rehearsals. Since then I’ve introduced you to many unique ways to visualize your riding using different mental perspectives (think camera angles). In case you missed then, here’s a brief summary of the many different camera angles we’ve talked about:
This month I’m going to introduce you to one final riding rehearsal. I like to call this perspective the Movie Trailer and it works like this: The next time you need a boost of confidence, close your eyes and visualize yourself riding using any of the camera angles above, but this time do so while listening to your favorite song! Make sure that song is meaningful and motivating and don’t be afraid to turn the volume way up! Just remember to turn the music off and remove your headphones before you mount.
The goal of this kind of riding rehearsal is to create a sort of movie trailer image in your mind (like the powerful images and music used in movie trailers) because when motivating images and upbeat music are combined they stimulate the release of feel-good hormones (endorphins) that make you feel more calm, confident, and courageous! It’s like a two-for-one sale for riders - when your images and songs are combined, you become one powerful and empowered rider!
As you now know, there is no shortage of different cameral angles you can use to visualize your rides, but there’s also no shortage of positive results that positive rehearsals can provide you with, including:
This wraps up our conversation about riding rehearsals. Perhaps the best thing about them is that anyone can do them, and anyone can do them anywhere! Simply take a deep breath and turn on your internal camera - the popcorn is optional!
I hope you enjoyed the topic of riding rehearsals and hope you’ll give them a try. Next month I’ll introduce you to something new and surprising and really cool, but until then feel free to email me at [email protected] if you’d like more information on how your group can join my summer clinic tour this July and August!
The coveted Spirit Award, which originated from the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and quickly became as important as the competition itself, will be returning this year with double the excitement at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships! With the two program championships merging for the first time, the organizing team at Stable View is committed to making the weekend an unforgettable experience for these middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Separate Spirit Contests will be offered for each program , and Stable View has generously donated perpetual trophies for the two contest champions. The 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships will be held at the Stable View Local Charities H.T. on May 4-5, 2024 in Aiken, SC. Click here to learn more and prepare to enter on opening day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19!
Sometimes all it takes is a little luck on your side to make your dreams come true. We recently asked our USEA membership to share why they feel so lucky to be partnered with the horses they compete with, and we received over 100 heartwarming stories! We compiled some of our favorites below in celebration of today’s luck-themed holiday.
With Paris Olympic team selection this summer as a big goal, Liz Halliday headed out onto Ian Stark’s CCI4*-S cross-country course today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International hoping to make the time with Miks Master C and show off a smooth round. After leading the division from day 1’s dressage on a 22.5, Halliday was able to accomplish both things and win aboard Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF).
The standings after today’s CCI4*-S show jumping at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International shuffled with 14 double-clear rounds out of 35 to start, but Liz Halliday stayed right where she was at the top of the leaderboard aboard Miks Master C.