Now that the eventing season is underway, lots of our supporters will have their sights firmly set on upcoming competitions and be looking forward to lighter evenings to squeeze in more training. Getting you and your horse physically fit and ready for fun is essential, but there’s another type of fitness it’s worth bearing in mind!  Whether your aim for 2025 is to tackle your first one-day event or you’re hoping to step up into the higher levels of the sport, mental health fitness will play a key role in both your success and your enjoyment of the sport.

Just like physical fitness is essential for competing and avoiding injury, mental resilience is the key to performing under pressure, bouncing back from setbacks and staying confident in the saddle. But it’s often overlooked in favour of technical and physical preparation. You wouldn’t dream of heading to an event feeling unfit and unprepared… But what about taking the time to strengthen your mindset? In this blog we’ll look at how it can help you not only ride to the best of your ability, but also truly enjoy every moment of the season.

What is mental health fitness?

Mental health fitness refers to your ability to stay focused, positive and resilient, particularly in high-pressure situations. In eventing, where you and your horse are competing in three very different disciplines, often on the same day, the ability to handle setbacks, stay calm and perform under pressure is vital.

It’s important to note that building up your mental fitness isn’t about eliminating nerves altogether. They’re part of our body’s response to stress and help prepare it to perform. But you can learn to manage your nerves, refocus if things don’t go to plan and get to the point where you’re able to enjoy competing instead of dreading it!

Why does mental fitness matter for event riders?

Mental strength is a key ingredient for success in any sport, including eventing, helping you to:

• Perform under pressure. You might dread the dressage phase or find cross-country gives you the wobbles, but mastering your mindset will help you treat all three disciplines with clarity and focus.
• Build confidence. Self-belief is key to success, and mental strength will help you believe in yourself and your horse
• Recover from setbacks. We all know that an unlucky pole, a run out or a very scary white board can feel like it’s ruined your day… but it doesn’t need to.
• Stay present and focused. Imagine being able to banish overthinking and self-doubt…well, you can!
• Enjoy the journey. At the end of the day, riding and competing is a privilege and it’s so important that you and your horse enjoy it.

How to build mental fitness for the season ahead

A little bit like getting physically fit, building mental fitness takes time and practice. Here are some simple but effective ways to strengthen your mindset so you can enjoy a successful and (hopefully!) stress-free season:

1. Commit to a positive pre-competition routine

To help settle nerves and make you feel in control, try developing and sticking to a consistent pre-competition routine. For example, you might include simple breathing exercises after you’ve changed into competition gear. Visualising a successful round of jumping or your best dressage test yet will help you feel confident, and a structured warm-up will focus your mind.

2. Manage nerves and pressure

As we mentioned in the introduction, feeling nervous is completely normal, but it doesn’t have to take over completely. Try following these steps to manage anxiety when you’re about to compete:

• Reframe your nerves. Instead of seeing them as a problem, recognise them as a sign that you care and are ready to perform.
• Focus on the process, not just results. Break down each phase into goals (the different movements in the test, the different combinations on the cross-country course) rather than fixating on the whole thing.
• Don’t dwell on mistakes mid-test or anticipate what might go wrong. Stay in the moment and focus on riding your horse.

3. Develop resilience

Sport means learning to accept setbacks because they happen to everyone. What will set you apart from the competition is learning to bounce back and using the lessons you learn to move forward. For example, if your showjumping turned into a rather ‘challenging’ round, take a constructive approach. Reflect on what went well and make notes on what you could improve.

Remind yourself that even top riders have off days – it’s part of sport, especially when you’re riding a horse with a mind of its own! And make sure you surround yourself with a supportive team who can help keep things in perspective.

4. Look after yourself

Mental fitness is closely linked to physical wellbeing, make sure you’re caring for your body and your brain. That might mean:

• Getting enough rest because fatigue makes everything feel harder.
• Eating well and staying hydrated. No sugar highs and lows or dehydration headaches here, thank you very much. Good nutrition plays a role in energy levels and focus, so pack healthy snacks and drink water!
• Cross-training to make you a better partner for your horse. Think about including yoga, Pilates and strength training to support your body on long days out competing.

5. Remember that ‘comparison is the thief of joy’

Social media shows a very edited version of someone’s life, even if they say they’re sharing ‘behind the scenes’ footage or honest takes. Every single rider at an event will have had a different run up to the day and you never know what someone else is going through. Stay in your lane, don’t compare yourself to anyone else and remember to have fun.

We hope that these tips will give you some tools to help you handle pressure, learn from it and enjoy days out competing. Our horses pick up so much from us, so if you’re stressed or scared, they’re going to know! Taking care of your mindset can help you ride with confidence, hopefully hit your goals and truly enjoy the season.