I am sure we can all agree, our horses have given us some of the happiest memories; moments of freedom, partnership, and friendships we have made along the way. But alongside those highs, many riders know the feeling of nerves creeping in before a class, at the warm-up arena, or even just thinking about the next show. These overwhelming emotions can start to chip away at the joy we find in riding. They can also hold us back from performing at our best and reaching the next level of our potential. We don’t want nerves to cloud the happiness we’ve built with our horses nor do we want them to stand between us and truly thriving in the sport we love. In recent years, Mindset Coaching has emerged as a transformative approach in the equine space, helping riders of all levels develop mental agility, emotional resilience, and a sharper competitive edge.
Mindset Coaching addresses the thought patterns, emotional awareness, and internal dialogue that directly influence performance. In a sport where every stride counts, mastering the mind is essential.
I strongly believe that the journey into Mindset Coaching begins with building emotional awareness and developing emotional intelligence (EQ). A skill we should all have in the world we are currently living in. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions. For riders, this self-awareness becomes the bedrock of peak performance.
A rider with this insight can identify when nerves are creeping in before a round, understand how tension affects their body position, and regulate their responses versus an impulsive reaction (We have all done that last minute kick or pull!) This awareness allows for more thoughtful choices and less impulsive or fear-driven behavior.
Even the Harvard Business Review has emphasized that “the mind listens to what you tell it.” This speaks to the power of our emotional intelligence, self-talk and the importance of managing our internal narrative. What we repeatedly think and say to ourselves shapes our beliefs, our physiological state, and ultimately, our performance. Riders who train their mind to be a source of encouragement and clarity rather than doubt and criticism set themselves up for consistent, sustainable success.
In recent years there has been an increase of interest and participation in Mindset Coaching in the equestrian community. We have seen riders improve in their ability to handle pressure, bounce back quicker from mistakes, and even quite simply, just understanding their goals more effectively, and what drives them!
EQ, and mindset are not just a personal development buzzword but a performance tool. Whether you ride for rosettes at SA Champs, or personal growth, the mental game matters.
Mindset Coaching doesn’t stop at awareness, this is the most important building block.
Mindset Coaching bridges the gap between knowing what to do and being able to do it. While Mindset Coaching is essential for riders looking to compete at the highest levels, it is equally powerful for amateurs, hobbyists, and developing riders. This is a sport of the mind as much as the body. The tools of mindset management, emotional regulation, and mental rehearsal are just as valuable in the show ring as they are at home. Mindset Coaching helps us dive into the granular detail of “what is our why” in this sport.
By applying both cognitive and mindfulness tools, riders can:
The lessons learned through Mindset Coaching extend far beyond the saddle. Athletes in all sports benefit from mental skills training, and equestrianism is no exception. Focus, resilience, goal-setting, and emotional control are universal attributes of high performers.
Riders often face unique challenges: the unpredictability of a living, breathing partner; the weight of expectation; the emotional rollercoaster of competition. Mindset Coaching meets these challenges head-on by offering practical tools and a framework to thrive through them.
Mindfulness techniques enhance this process by helping riders remain present in the saddle, and shift attention from outcome based to progress goal execution.
The true competitive edge lies within: in the clarity of the mind, the regulation of emotion, and the ability to stay grounded when pressure peaks. Your mind leads the way.
This article was written by Lara Ellwood of Insight Equine.
Insight Equine offers mindset coaching for riders of all levels, helping individuals gain self-awareness, build confidence, and develop emotional resilience—both in and out of the saddle. Sessions are facilitated by Lara Ellwood, a trained therapist and lifelong horsewoman.
To book or find out more, contact Lara at tiscounselling@gmail.com, call +27 76 149 5830, or follow on Instagram @the.insight.studio.
