'Fraidy Cat Presents: Brain Hacks for the Nervous Eventer

It's no secret that sometimes confidence can be a fickle bitch. That, despite our best efforts, nerves have a way of wheedling in at the most inopportune moments.

This is especially inconvenient at shows, when we've already got a million other things on our mind and definitely don't need the added pressure of uncontrollable anxiety.

overcoming fears, one alligator-infested water complex at a time

Over the last couple years of learning how to do low-level eventing as a self-described 'Fraidy Cat, I've picked up a couple tips, tricks and brain hacks for quelling those nerves - of forcing the nerves into submission. Of practicing the whole "Mind over Matter" thing.

Obviously everyone has heard of more general practices like breathing deeply, or visualizing success, and what have you. Those are all well and good too - but for today, let's talk about some actionable tips relating specifically to jumping.

Let's start with Cross Country course walking:

• If the jump can be stepped over, step over it. Even if it's more 'awkward scramble' than 'step.' If you can do it, so can the horse!!
• Conversely, if you can tell from a distance that the jump looks uncomfortably big to you? Just don't get that close to it. Seriously. Don't.
• But DO look closely at jumps from the next level up. And decide that some of those are actually pretty doable too. 

cross country course walking: the art of convincing yourself that, 'lah di dah, this will be a cake walk!"

• Because if some of the next level stuff looks doable, your level is definitely doable.
• Related: The only time you or anyone in your group is allowed to say the word "big" is in the context of "That's not so big!"

pictured: not so big. but also a potentially challenging combination

• DO look back at the jump from the landing side while walking - this will give you a truer read on the terrain. 
• But again, you DON'T need to get too close to jumps that squick you out. Srsly. 
• Look for 'schooling' options near to or overlapping with your track. Want to work on water ditches or banks? Or related distances? Is there something not on your track that you want a crack at? Keep an eye open for those opportunities - this also helps cement the feeling of 'schooling' in your brain.

alternate route to the above coop that allows for extra schooling while on course

• Because to your brain, if you're just "schooling" it can't really be that big of a deal, right? Schooling isn't scary, right?!? (just take care not to cross any flags the wrong direction or out of order for your course!)
• And naturally, remind yourself that when you're schooling you don't get to go walk up to every fence from the ground anyway, you just jump it. So again, you don't have to get close to the big fences on your course if you don't want to.

pictured: not a fence you need to be intimately acquainted with from the ground if you don't wanna. it jumps great tho!

• Do walk your approaches carefully, tho - find your sight lines and points of reference.
• And walk any related distances (remembering that "related" typically refers to jumps set 4 strides apart or less)
• Don't over think the ground tho. Actually don't over think anything - only focus on the most important details bc things happen fast once you're out on course and you'll only have time to remember the important stuff (like the location of your next fence).
• Brush fences are often the biggest on course - remind yourself that horses LOVE brush fences, even if this means galloping down to the fence shouting like a lunatic, "horses love brush fences, dear god, oh god oh shit, HORSES LOVE BRUSH FENCES, AHHHH".... ahem.

pro tip: if this jump looks doable to you, you're definitely probably maybe ready for BN. lol....

• Visualize the spots where you anticipate needing a stronger ride, and plan on where you'll start preparing for that while on course. Try not to be taken by surprise!
• Simultaneously, identify areas where you expect the horse to want to open up and cruise, areas where you can plan to let go a little, and allow the horse to carry itself forward in its own rhythm.
• Take note of any jumps in the woods. Horses sometimes want to get behind the leg in the woods so plan accordingly.

jumping in the woods can be it's own special brand of fun tho :D

We can't leave out Stadium Jumping tho:

• The most helpful activity is to walk your lines as accurately as possible. Which, naturally means you should have some degree of familiarity with walking distances. 
• Your typical 12' stride is four 3' human steps. In between fences, also add a 12' distance for landing from the in jump (6') and takeoff for the out jump (6'). 
• I start with my back against the center of the in jump, and walk: 1-2-3-Zero, 1-2-3-One, 1-2-3-Two, etc, until I reach the out jump. The number I'm on when I reach the out jump is the number of strides (the 'Zero' stride is for take off and landing).  
• Some people learn to measure 12' by putting pieces of tape at 3' intervals on an aisle floor and walking back and forth. This works but is kind of a hassle. You can also practice by walking four steps alongside a standard 12' jump pole. Are all four steps equal in size, or did you have to stretch out or squeeze in the last one? Go back and forth a few times, remember that feeling. 

knowing how to read a course map helps - but being able to walk it out is best

• But also know your own horse's stride length. Izzy had to really be going to hit 12', whereas Charlie can pretty easily stretch out to 14'. They'll need different canters to execute the same distances.
• Meaning, think about not just the number of strides, but the type of canter needed for that number of strides. Did the line walk a little long or short? Is it a going canter for an open stride? Or a bouncy, balanced canter for a compressed stride? 
• Will different lines on course require different canters? How quickly can you adjust your canter - how many strides does it take you to go from an open stride to a compressed stride? This is something to practice in warm up.

watching higher levels has the advantage of making "big" things look easy! 

• Definitely watch at least 2 or 3 horses go through the course if possible too - whether that's at your level or catching earlier levels. This is especially important if you weren't able to walk the course yourself.
• While watching, count the striding other riders are getting. Is everyone consistently getting 6 down that outside line? Or is it going in anything from 5 to 8? Does it look a little tight or a little long? 
• Find a horse that goes like your horse and see how it handles the striding and turns.
• Identify where you'll likely need lead changes (simple or otherwise) and how much room you have to execute them.

consider it good luck too if the jumps are super pretty!

Most importantly tho? Once you're on course - it's time to trust your training and ride each fence as it comes! As Sally Cousins would say, if the fence doesn't look great as you approach it, ride it with everything you got bc it won't look any better the second time!

What do you think - did I miss anything? Do you have any tips or tricks for how you prepare to jump at an event? Or for how you get the upper hand over any nervousness? Are you a "Knowledge is Power" style rider? Or more "Ignorance is Bliss"?? Or some combination?