From the vault… . . I’ve been really working on keeping a good headspace in competition. It’s one of the few free things I can work on to be a better rider. (That is, until I hire a sports psychologist) Until then, I’m trying to utilize all the free tips to give me a competitive advantage. . Often a horse trial is multiple days, we start packing a week in advance. There can be a lot of build up to the point of entering a ring. That buildup can begin to trigger anxious thoughts, worry of how things may go, worry of what could go wrong. . In reality, the worry itself, it’s not likely to make a difference in your ability the hours before you enter the ring. Rather, that concern and flush of thoughts can actually escalate your body to a panic which tends to decrease your ability. Sometimes the anxiety feels like a chain you can’t cut loose. You are glued to this focus on the threat you suspect. . It really important to keep your mind present in the lead up to a competition. By bringing yo...