Equestrian Performance Mindset

By Jocelin Lillienau

The Equestrian Performance Mindset podcast is teaching equestrians how to get the most out of themselves by training their mind alongside their riding skills. It provides actionable tips on how to: Im... more

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FAQs about Equestrian Performance Mindset:

How many episodes does Equestrian Performance Mindset have?

The podcast currently has 243 episodes available.

Equestrian Performance Mindset episodes:

April 05, 2026Being Your Own Worst Critic - #231
Are you riding to learn, or riding to judge yourself?
In this episode, we dive into one of the most common (and limiting) mental habits riders face: being your own worst critic.
If you’ve ever walked away from a round replaying everything you did wrong, questioning your ability, or feeling like you’re not good enough, this conversation will shift your perspective.
We break down how self-criticism keeps you stuck, why your brain naturally defaults to negativity, and how to turn unhelpful thoughts into constructive feedback that actually improves your riding.
You’ll learn how to move from judgment to curiosity, from emotion to data, and from pressure to progress, so you can start riding with more confidence, clarity, and feel.
What You’ll Learn:
Why saying “I am…” shapes your identity as a rider
The difference between criticism vs. constructive feedback
How to stop replaying mistakes and start extracting useful data
The 3 hidden mindsets behind every ride: Riding to learn - Riding to judge - Riding for results
How to recognize when you’re stuck in a negative mental loop
The concept of “red brain vs. blue brain” (threat vs. solution mode)
Why narrowing your focus makes performance worse, and what to do instead
How to shift from seeing distances → feeling your horse
Practical steps to regain control after a frustrating round
💬 Memorable Quotes:
“A belief is just a thought you’ve repeated enough times.”
“You’re not improving, you’re just reinforcing the same story.”
“Criticism keeps you stuck. Data moves you forward.”
“Out of judgment and into curiosity, that’s where growth happens.”
Resources Mentioned:
✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
21min
March 29, 2026How to Stop Caring What Other Riders Think - #230
Have you ever felt completely thrown off by what someone said about your riding?
In this episode, we dive deep into one of the biggest mental challenges riders face: dealing with other people’s opinions, whether they’re spoken out loud or just imagined in your head.
After coming back from a recent event surrounded by top-level riders, we share real, raw experiences of self-doubt, comparison, and criticism, and most importantly, how to handle it without letting it ruin your performance.
Because here’s the truth:
It’s not what people say that impacts you the most… It’s the meaning you give it.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why you often think people are judging you (even when they’re not)
The difference between facts vs. the story you create in your mind
How to stop spiraling after someone makes a comment
A powerful 3-step framework to process criticism quickly
How to decide whose opinion actually matters
Why discomfort (riding with top riders, competing higher) is actually a GOOD sign
How to turn criticism into confidence and focus before competition
Real Story From This Episode
After being told to drop from 3-star all the way back to 1-star, I share how I:
Broke down the comment objectively
Separated fact from emotion
Reframed the situation
Regained focus before cross-country
Delivered a strong performance anyway
This is a must-listen if you’ve ever doubted yourself before going into the ring.
Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
30min
March 22, 2026Why Riders Lose Focus in Competition - #229
Have you ever had a great warm-up… only to enter the arena and suddenly everything feels harder?
You can’t see your distances.
Your horse feels strong.
You start overthinking everything.
And before you know it… your round starts falling apart.
In this episode, I and Lorna dive into one of the most common (and misunderstood) performance blocks in riding:
👉 Where your focus goes under pressure.
Because here’s the truth:
It’s not that you’ve suddenly lost your ability.
It’s that your attention has shifted to the wrong place.
Whether it’s:
Worrying about what others think
Trying too hard to fix something
Obsessing over distances
Or focusing on the result instead of the process
All of these create narrow, rigid focus, and that’s what actually causes mistakes.
In this episode, we break down:
Why riders develop “tunnel vision” under pressure
How focusing on results destroys your feel
The difference between process vs outcome focus
Why “don’t think about it” NEVER works
How to quickly reset your focus mid-round
Practical tools to expand your awareness instantly
The connection between your eyes, nervous system, and performance
Because the best riders aren’t the ones who never lose focus… They’re the ones who know how to shift it back, fast.
Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
22min
March 15, 2026The Moment Every Rider Hates (But Needs) - #228
Ever had that moment where you feel like you’ve finally figured something out in your riding… Only for everything to suddenly fall apart again?
In this episode, I and Lorna spoke about one of the most frustrating moments every rider experiences: when progress seems to disappear overnight.
After months of consistent rounds and feeling like things were finally under control, I suddenly found myself in a competition round where my horse felt strong, unresponsive, and completely out of control.
The first thought?
“I’m simply not good enough to ride this horse.”
Sound familiar? But what happened next became one of the biggest breakthroughs in my riding.
Instead of staying stuck in judgment, I chose curiosity, asking better questions, seeking feedback, and experimenting with a completely different approach to riding my horse. And the results were powerful.
In this episode we dive into:
Why progress in riding is never linear
The dangerous trap of the “I’m a bad rider” story
How your belief system (paradigm) shapes your performance
Why the solution that worked before can suddenly stop working
The difference between fighting your horse vs riding with them
How stepping into curiosity instead of judgment unlocks growth
Why feeling “out of control” might actually mean you're riding at the next level
Because sometimes the moment that feels like failure… Is actually the beginning of your next breakthrough.
Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
31min
March 08, 2026Preparing For The First competition of The Season - #227
You’ve trained all winter.
You’ve put in the hours.
You feel ready at home.
So why does everything feel different at your first competition of the season?
In this episode, we unpack what really happens in the build-up to your first event, whether you’re an eventer, showjumper, or dressage rider stepping back into the outdoor arena.
Because here’s the truth:
Effort and results are not directly linked.
And when expectations rise, pressure follows.
We talk about:
Why the word “season” creates hidden pressure
How expectations silently increase tension (in you and your horse)
Why your brain treats competition as a threat
The difference between outcome-based thinking and process-based riding
How to shift from “test mode” to “experiment mode”
Why measuring emotion ruins reflection
How to reflect using data, not feelings
The power of intention over expectation
Why staying present is your biggest competitive advantage
If you’ve ever:
Felt sick before your first show of the year
Questioned why winter training “didn’t work”
Got stuck replaying a dressage score before showjumping
Felt like you had something to prove…
This episode will completely shift how you approach competition season.
Your first competition of the season isn’t a test of your worth. It’s information.
Resources Mentioned
✉️ Email us your mindset questions: [email protected]
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
25min
March 02, 2026Why Riders Still Doubt Themselves - #226
We coach riders on mindset every single day.
But here’s the truth: We’re still doing the work too.
In this episode, we invite you inside our own heads; unfiltered, unscripted, and completely honest. We talk about:
The limiting beliefs we’re still working through
Why “I’m not talented enough” can exist even when results improve
How self-doubt shows up at higher levels
Ego vs growth in competition
What happens when performance unravels
Why confidence isn’t something you chase
How to respond when things get uncomfortable
Why discomfort is actually a sign of growth
If you’ve ever:
Stepped up a level and questioned whether you belong there
Felt like everyone else is improving except you
Worried you’re not talented enough
Struggled with imposter syndrome as a rider
Wondered why confidence doesn’t “stick”
This episode will feel like someone finally saying the quiet part out loud. Because mindset work isn’t about eliminating doubt. It’s about recognizing it faster, and responding differently.
Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
✉️ Register for our Weekly Mindset & Performance Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
Eileen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileengu?igsh=MXYydmFndDJ0bjhveQ%3D%3D
...more
25min
February 23, 2026Composure at 5* Level, What It Really Takes with Mohamed Ashraf Abdallah - #225
You can be experienced.
You can be ambitious.
You can be performing at a high level.
And still feel like you don’t belong there.
In this episode with Mohamed, we dive deep into something many driven riders quietly struggle with: The gap between external performance and internal belief.
We explore:
Why high achievers often feel like imposters
Why results don’t automatically create confidence
The hidden pressure of being “serious” about your sport
How fear of judgement impacts performance
Why comparison keeps you stuck
The difference between ambition and self-criticism
How to build confidence that isn’t dependent on outcomes
If you’ve ever:
Felt like everyone else is more talented
Questioned whether you’re good enough for the level you’re riding
Feared stepping up because “what if I mess it up?”
Worked incredibly hard but still doubted yourself
This conversation will hit home. Because confidence isn’t something you earn from results. It’s something you build internally, deliberately.
Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
Follow Mohamed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohamedashraf_a92/
...more
1h 2min
February 15, 2026Winning Doesn’t Guarantee Confidence - #224
You won the class.
You rode well.
You hit your goals.
So why does one piece of feedback still hit so hard?
In this episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, we unpack something almost every competitive rider experiences:
Winning doesn’t automatically create confidence.
Success doesn’t fix insecurity.
And feedback can feel threatening, even when it’s positive.
After winning two dressage tests and placing 1st and 2nd in show jumping, Lorna shares a powerful realization: Her brain deleted all the positive feedback… and zoomed in on the “improvement” points. Sound familiar?
We dive into:
Why your brain distorts feedback (and how it links to survival)
Why winning doesn’t equal confidence
Red brain vs blue brain (threat vs challenge thinking)
How to receive feedback without spiraling
How to rewire negative interpretation patterns
Why mindset work is about accurate interpretation, not fake positivity
The difference between enjoying success and tearing yourself apart
If you’ve ever:
Won and still felt “not good enough”
Focused on the 1% that went wrong
Struggled with trainer feedback
Felt your confidence drop after comments
Questioned yourself despite good results
This episode is for you. Because confidence isn’t built from results. It’s built from how you interpret them.
Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
26min
February 08, 2026Regaining confidence after crashing into a fence - #223
What do you do when a distance doesn’t appear… and everything falls apart right before you go in the ring?
In this episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, I and Lorna dive into a real-life competition moment many riders fear: a jumping warm-up disaster, and how your mental recovery routine determines what happens next.
After a dramatic warm-up moment that ended in the middle of an oxer, I break down exactly how I reset my mindset, rebuilt confidence in minutes, and still delivered a strong round at 1.30m.
This episode isn’t about perfect distances. It’s about trust, focus, and learning how to ride forward after something goes wrong.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why you should fix your head before fixing your horse
How negative self-talk destroys confidence, and how to stop it fast
What to focus on instead of distances when nerves take over
The power of giving your brain a simple job under pressure
How elite riders mentally recover when mistakes happen
Why most riders think they’re “bad”, and why that belief is wrong
How imposter syndrome and people-pleasing sabotage your warm-up
Why you rarely see mistakes on social media (and why that matters)
If you’ve ever:
Missed a distance and spiraled mentally
Felt embarrassed after a warm-up mistake
Questioned whether you’re good enough to ride at your level
Carried one mistake into an entire round
This episode will change how you handle pressure, permanently.

Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
29min
February 02, 2026How to Set Goals Without Letting Them Control You - #222
At the start of a new season, goal setting can feel exciting… and overwhelming.
In this episode, I and Lorna unpack how to set ambitious goals that guide your season, without letting them become a source of pressure, self-doubt, or fear of judgment.
Drawing from our own recent competitions, we explore why zero expectations can sometimes unlock peak performance, why many riders either play too small or aim unrealistically high, and how fear of judgment often stops us from speaking our goals out loud.
This episode dives into the balance between big vision and grounded action, showing you how to use goals as information and data, not as a measure of your worth. If you’ve ever struggled with goal pressure, moving goalposts, or feeling like you’re failing even when you’re progressing, this conversation will help you reset your approach.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why having no expectations can lead to better performances
How mindset can carry you through breaks in training or time off
The difference between goals that guide you and goals that control you
Why many riders are afraid to speak their goals out loud
How fear of judgment, failure, or success shapes goal setting
Why goals should be treated as data and information, not ego
How to tell the difference between stretching yourself and setting yourself up to fail
Why breaking big goals into short-term actions builds confidence
The danger of constantly moving the goalposts
How to be proud of progress before you reach the end goal
Why mistakes, setbacks, and “bad days” are still steps forward
Who This Episode Is For:
Riders setting goals for a new season
Anyone feeling pressure, fear, or resistance around goal setting
Riders who feel they’re never “doing enough” despite progress
Those struggling with comparison, judgment, or expectations
Riders who want to play bigger without burning out mentally
Resources Mentioned:
📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset
🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/
...more
27min

FAQs about Equestrian Performance Mindset:

How many episodes does Equestrian Performance Mindset have?

The podcast currently has 243 episodes available.

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