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EP 12 // No 1/5 of the From Nerves to Flow Series: Dealing with Competition Nerves: How Dressage Riders Can Stay Calm, Focused, and Confident
🎙️ Episode 12 — From Nerves to Flow Series (1/5)
Dealing with Competition Nerves: How Dressage Riders Can Stay Calm, Focused, and Confident
Hey my horsies 🐴💛, welcome to the very first episode in my brand-new From Nerves to Flow Series! This is a 5-part journey where we’ll turn those pre-show butterflies into calm focus, steady confidence, and a stronger connection with your horse.
And we’re kicking things off with a big one: competition nerves.
If you’ve ever felt…
a tight chest before entering the arena,
sweaty hands holding the reins,
your mind racing three steps ahead of your horse,
or that awful cycle where your nerves feed your horse’s nerves (and vice versa)…
…then this episode was made for you.
The good news? Nerves aren’t weakness. They’re just energy—and when you learn to redirect them, they can actually help you ride with clarity, presence, and flow.
🌟 What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why competition nerves happen (hint: it’s your body doing its job with adrenaline).
How nerves impact your horse, and why they pick up on them so easily.
The mindset reframe every rider needs: nerves mean you care.
Five first steps to move from tense to calm:
Reset your mindset → progress over perfection.
Prepare at home → use visualization and routine to make show day feel familiar.
Practice patience → slowing down helps both you and your horse breathe.
Let go of comparison → focus on your dressage journey.
Support your horse’s relaxation → calm horse = calm rider.
✨ Rider’s Reflection
At the end of this episode, I’ll give you a simple challenge:
👉 Pick just one of the five steps and try it this week. Notice how it changes your mindset, your ride, and even your horse’s energy.
🔮 What’s coming next in the series:
Episode 13: Visualization techniques, pre-show routines & confidence boosters.
Episode 14: The power of patience — how to ride soft and present under pressure.
Episode 15: Breaking free from comparison — finding joy in your progress.
Episode 16: Horse relaxation strategies — practical training to reduce tension.
💬 Join the Conversation
What makes you most nervous on competition day?
Is it forgetting the test, warming up around others, or worrying about your horse tensing up?
Come share your story in the Happy Rider Healthy Horse Facebook Community — because your words might be the exact encouragement another rider needs
View all episodes
By Sarah Martine - Veterinarian, dressage rider coach🎙️ Episode 12 — From Nerves to Flow Series (1/5)
Dealing with Competition Nerves: How Dressage Riders Can Stay Calm, Focused, and Confident
Hey my horsies 🐴💛, welcome to the very first episode in my brand-new From Nerves to Flow Series! This is a 5-part journey where we’ll turn those pre-show butterflies into calm focus, steady confidence, and a stronger connection with your horse.
And we’re kicking things off with a big one: competition nerves.
If you’ve ever felt…
a tight chest before entering the arena,
sweaty hands holding the reins,
your mind racing three steps ahead of your horse,
or that awful cycle where your nerves feed your horse’s nerves (and vice versa)…
…then this episode was made for you.
The good news? Nerves aren’t weakness. They’re just energy—and when you learn to redirect them, they can actually help you ride with clarity, presence, and flow.
🌟 What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why competition nerves happen (hint: it’s your body doing its job with adrenaline).
How nerves impact your horse, and why they pick up on them so easily.
The mindset reframe every rider needs: nerves mean you care.
Five first steps to move from tense to calm:
Reset your mindset → progress over perfection.
Prepare at home → use visualization and routine to make show day feel familiar.
Practice patience → slowing down helps both you and your horse breathe.
Let go of comparison → focus on your dressage journey.
Support your horse’s relaxation → calm horse = calm rider.
✨ Rider’s Reflection
At the end of this episode, I’ll give you a simple challenge:
👉 Pick just one of the five steps and try it this week. Notice how it changes your mindset, your ride, and even your horse’s energy.
🔮 What’s coming next in the series:
Episode 13: Visualization techniques, pre-show routines & confidence boosters.
Episode 14: The power of patience — how to ride soft and present under pressure.
Episode 15: Breaking free from comparison — finding joy in your progress.
Episode 16: Horse relaxation strategies — practical training to reduce tension.
💬 Join the Conversation
What makes you most nervous on competition day?
Is it forgetting the test, warming up around others, or worrying about your horse tensing up?
Come share your story in the Happy Rider Healthy Horse Facebook Community — because your words might be the exact encouragement another rider needs