How to Beat Horse Show Nerves

Q    I really struggle with horse show nerves. This frustrates me because my job requires me to speak in front of groups but I find particularly in pattern classes that I freeze become ineffective and everything seems like a blur.
A   Dont feel alone many very well adjusted capable people feel paralyzed in the show ring. Although confidence improves the more often you show it is helpful to take an honest look at the source of your nerves whats the worst thing that could happen and would it really be that bad? and block out the distractions. Ride in a bubble of narrower focus for now. This bubble can expand to include more factors as you gain experience.

1 Block out the audience. Yes your performance is being assessed more about that later but for now pretend youre not. Disregard the onlookers the judges and your competitors who may appear to look so good and better than you. When I ask my students what theyre most afraid of the response is often making a fool of myself. When we face the sad truth that people dont really care about or remember our performances as much as we think it can be freeing! Embarrassments happen to several people in every class at every show how many of them do you remember from this past show season other than your own? When a major mishap does occur most of the audience reacts with empathy rather than scorn anyway.
2 Block out the things you cant control. The footing is deep. Its starting to rain. The judges havent placed me all day. My horse spooked in the exercise ring. I had to borrow someone elses riding jacket and it doesnt fit properly. My horse just rubbed out his braids in the trailer. The pattern calls