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Riding In Your Mind

by Suzanne Drnec as told by Les Vogt

Great athletes- from the school yard to the Olympics- use mental imagery to prepare for competition. Visualizing riding success is a short cut to victory- a method to improve your skills without annoying your horse. Mental imagery does not replace actual riding, but it can enhance and hone your performance, reduce stress and anxiety, and make you a more successful, confident rider.

WHAT IS RIDING IN YOUR MIND?

Riding in your mind is using mental imagery to picture every detail of a winning ride long before you get on your horse. Riding in your mind allows you to mentally rehearse your performance without exhausting yourself and boring your horse.

WHO SHOULD PRACTICE RIDING IN THEIR MIND?

Any rider can benefit from riding in their mind, whether it is for a specific competition or event, or to reinforce positive riding behavior.

Mental imagery is especially valuable for nervous riders, because they can rehearse every possible scenario (and appropriate resolution to problems) before riding.

HOW TO RIDE IN YOUR MIND

*Visualize every detail of your ride: arena, pattern, audience, footing...
*Mentally rehearse your winning ride over and over- hundreds of times!
*Avoid negative visualization- plan and visualize corrections to errors
*Visualize winning or perfection- "Adequate Isn't!"

WHY RIDE IN YOUR MIND?

Riding in your mind allows you to practice performing without the physical stress on you or your horse that actual riding entails. You have unlimited opportunity to rehearse every part of your ride. You can ride in your mind anytime, anywhere, with no outside interruptions. Using mental imagery can also establish muscle memory so you ride stronger and more positively.

WHEN SHOULD YOU RIDE IN YOUR MIND?

Ride in your mind before every competition, and to reinforce every physical learning experience. Daily, ride in your mind before each new training exercise to tune into a positive mental mind-set, and review and reinforce each day's successes by replaying the correct cues and signals in your mind.

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