Riding Coaching for Success

Welcome to a new approach to riding confidence

Well spring is in the air, though that cold rain today felt more like November! It’s good to see some cross-country events starting – about time, I have missed a blast this winter!

So what is Rider Coaching?

We all know what a riding instructor is (though my non-horsey friends always ask me why I still need lessons after all this time!), but what about a Riding Coach? In other sports, the role of coach or Sports Psychologist is well known. While the instructor or trainer teaches and refines physical techniques, it is the role of the coach to set goals, check progress and work on any mental issues and obstacles that may prevent the sportsperson from achieving success.
This is a new direction for riding, where all the emphasis has traditionally been on the physical techniques, not the state of mind of the rider. Some of the more enlightened trainers (and I am very lucky that both of mine, Lisa Lane and Carolyn Goldstraw are very much in the enlightened camp!) have embraced the role of the mind in their training, but this is seen as secondary to the way of the horse going, for example.
Continue reading →

Thanks to all who attended the talk recently at Hoylandswaine Village Hall.

We had talks from me on ‘What is Riding Confidence’, a saddle fitting demo from Kim Gordon and a talk by Kathy Boyer about her Equine Physio case-studies.

I will get more details on here later in the week

Ken

Happy after a nice round

This is a strange one – if your horse motor-bikes corners or falls in, it may be overcome by a very simple technique. Warning, of course only try this in a safe area and preferably with someone watching out for you.

So, how do we do it? Find out which is your dominant eye. Try closing one eye at a time and see which feels easiest. That will be your dominant eye. Now when you are rding, try closing your dominant eye. I find it amazing as my horse stays out on the circle easily!

Thanks to Wendy Murdoch – it’s in her new book http://www.amazon.co.uk/5-Minute-Fixes-Improve-Your-Riding/dp/1570764557

Ken

One of the techniques I use is called the’Ring of power’. This involves bringing to mind some really intense emotional states, reliving them and visualising them as a fiery ring that you step into.

Each time you experience a state, I get you to actually step into the ring and let the state wash over you.

Some of the states I use are happy, motivated, confident, could do ANYTHING!

Each time you step into the ring, you build up a lovely strong positive state.

The ring then can go with you anywhere you need a boost.

What a great time we had at the first joint Riding Confidence Workshop the other Saturday. My friend Sarah arranged for 4 of her riding clients to come along and explore how NLP and Coaching could help overcome confidence problems.

A really friendly bunch, we got on great and the buzz was brilliant as everyone helped each other in a supportive environment.

We covered the basic principles of NLP – the unconscious mind, how we see the world and then I introduced ‘the learning state’. This is using your eyes in peripheral vision, which has the effect of stopping all negativity and relaxing your horse.

Everyone set themselves a goal for the afternoon ridden session and then we broke for a well-earned lunch. The rain had stopped and we were then able to venture out.

well, it was amazing. Everyone exceeded their goal they had set and there were a few happy tears. The horses were amazingly well-behaved and I was so happy to have helped.

Well done all – I am proud of how you listened and were willing to try something new

Thanks to all!

Well, today was the first joint Confidence Riding workshop with my friend Sarah. More details to follow, but suffice it to say we all came away with big smiles! Thanks all!

As the outdoor season draws to a close, it’s time to look back. Wow, what Riley and me have achieved! We ended on a real high with a clear cross-country and I am at the stage now where I can let him run and jump instead on bolt and circle!
NLP has helped me greatly, as the setbacks are not a problem, they are just not so successful events! It is very interesting when you stop blaming and look to change what isn’t working!

Well, I had a really nice time tonight. I took Riley to a showjumping clinic run by Tracey Newman. My horse has finally decided that jumping is normal and didn’t hot up at all! Did some really tricky grids and turns but Riley lapped it up.
I have found that using an NLP swish pattern on my hand position has really helped – now I can sit and wait for the fence and be sure I will go with him!

Amazing progress – thanks chap!

Well, what a great day today. Riley enjoyed his first rally with some grid work in the jumping up to 80cm (real progress!) and some nice flat work especially his canter.

Rewind a year – Riley was having a phase of don’t letting me get on – walking off, etc. His jumping was far too fast and he got in a panic if there were any number of horses around.

So what happened? My attitude changed. I looked at what I felt was important about my riding and came up with ‘being in control’. This led to a change of bit and as if by magic Riley settled, to the extent that I sometimes have to check I am not on my mare Tassle!

I also set some goals, had some lessons and started to trust him.

Thank you Riley and thanks NLP – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Anxiety – whether this is about hacking out alone, jumping that 80cm fence or learning a new dressage test, it can really hinder you. How much better would it be to look forward to that jump or hack, I am sure your horse would agree!

Simple techniques you can learn are visualisation so that you can practice over and over again without stress, anchoring to give a wonderful calm feeling whenever you want or how about some self-hypnosis?

Bad experiences happen to us all. What we need to do is learn from them and do better next time. NLP Coaching techniques give you a lovely framework which will support you if things go slightly wrong. Anchoring, swish patterns and visualisation are all great techniques you can benefit from.

Phobias can be anything from heights, to flying to water-jumps! A simple technique that allows you to re-write how you handle situations will get rid of most phobias in minutes. Forever. Then maybe a bit of hypnosis to cement it in?

As you can see, it is really easy, quick and safe to use NLP and hypnosis to help your riding. You, your horse and your trainer will love it!