Tag: Show Nerves

From inspiring stories of underdog horse-and-rider duos finding success in the dressage arena, to informative horse and rider health features, articles highlighting unique and...

By P.B. O’Dwyer If anxiety is keeping you out of the show arena, remember: You are not alone.  Experiencing anxiety before a competition is a normal...

By Chelsey Burris 2021 was a busy year, and in all the craziness, you may have missed some great content on YourDressage!  Here are a few...

It’s a feeling that many riders are all-too familiar with: you're standing on the mounting block with a pit in your stomach, heart pounding, trying to slow your breathing. Maybe it starts before you get to the mounting block, when you swing the saddle over your horse’s back. Maybe it starts far earlier than that, on the drive over to the barn. No matter the timing, many equestrians struggle with riding anxiety at some point. Some find a way to address it and move on, while others spend years trying to reconcile the sport they love with the fear that holds them back.

Shrink your inner critic by practicing self-love, affirming yourself, and staying positive.  We all have doubts and fears, but whether we let them get in the way of our riding and competition, is up to us.