And by staying cool I mean keeping your cool when you really think things are going bad.

Most of the time things are really not as bad as you may think. You may have missed a distance, or got a wrong lead but most of the time it really wasn’t that bad!  Things happen on course. You can make the next trip better and if you do make a mistake, I think of this as a great place to start your training program.

Think of it as, if I messed up, then this is what I would like to work on.

– If you had a refusal, then try this exercise .

– If you had a bad distance, this may help.

– Or a rail. Then maybe you should do some gymnastics.Gymnastic Jumping – Exercises to Improve Your Horse Over Fences

In any case you have time and corrections can be made.

Keep Breathing!

A horse’s life depends on fleeing from a scene of pressure. Whether it is a likely attack of a wild beast creeping around the edge of the enchanted forest, or whether it is a single round of eight jumps in the ring by themselves, the horse will treat it in the same fashion.

When we are frightened, nervous or ill-at-ease, our first primal reaction is to hold our breath. When someone shouts “BOO!” in your face, your first reaction is to take a short, sharp breath in, tense all your muscles and search for the impending attack of the wild lion.

When you ride and hold your breath, your horse can feel it. In his/her mind, you are holding your breath because there is an attack of the aliens around the next corner. You, holding your breath,  acts as an advance warning and the horse reads it as a warning to flee the scene.

Breathing helps to reassure your horse all is well. 

Get a hold of Yourself

Feeling nervous and upset will only be telepathically transferred to your horse.

“What is in the brain, goes down the rein

To help keep yourself calm when showing keep your body relaxed and reassure your horse with a calming voice and patting on the neck, shoulders and withers. Predators usually stare a horse down by looking at them in the eye. Be non-threatening to your horse by keeping your arms relaxed, body relaxed and taking the time to spend with your horse when not in the actual show ring.

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If you would like some visuals on how to improve yourself try this popular video.

If you would like to understand what the judge is looking for and to get your own comments please feel free to send me your photo to get some valuable feedback.