Training Mindset: Motivation and Tips from BARE Ambassadors

Success in the saddle isn’t just about talent, it’s about preparation, focus, and mindset. Every rider, from rising stars to elite competitors, faces challenges that test their dedication and resilience. But with the right approach, these challenges become opportunities to grow, perform, and enjoy the ride.

Preparation and Timing
Being ready for competition isn’t just about practice, it’s about timing and routine. Experienced riders like Lyndal Yelavich and Kelly Ralph emphasise giving yourself time to prepare and warm up properly. Kelly notes, “It’s essential to be well prepared and trust your training,” while Lyndal stresses the importance of pacing yourself and knowing what you can control. Even small steps, like planning your warm-up or organising your gear the night before, create calm and confidence in the ring.

Resilience and Goal-Setting
Riding can be unpredictable, but it’s how you respond that defines success. Mackenzie Patterson-Hollibone reminds us that setbacks are part of the journey: staying motivated is about focusing on one improvement at a time. For example, if a previous competition highlighted a horse’s balance issue, make it your goal to improve that one thing rather than chasing an overall score. Similarly, Tanisha Ryan, a top FEI dressage rider, shares how training the piaffe teaches patience and precision: “You’re in sync with your horse, they’re shaping themselves to your aids and controlling their power. It’s a wonderful, weightless feeling.”

Professional Exercises to Stay Motivated
Structured exercises give purpose to your training and help you see progress:

• Pole exercises: As Christine Bates recommends, using a simple 4-pole exercise on a circle helps develop rhythm, balance, adjustability, and rideability. This kind of precision work keeps both horse and rider focused.
• Laterals: Courtney Cremasco loves dressage laterals to develop young horses. Setting clear goals for each lateral movement allows you to track progress and stay motivated through small, measurable wins.
• Sitting trot and bareback work: Ellie Roots uses sitting trot and bareback exercises to improve core strength, balance, and connection with her ponies. They’re simple to practice daily and remind riders of the fundamentals.
• Cantering off the lead: Emelia Smith focuses on cantering and riding off the lead to build independence in her ponies and her own riding, while reinforcing her confidence and timing in the saddle.
• Consistent routines for young horses: Elsie Rieger stresses the importance of keeping training consistent and calm, especially for young or green horses. Routine itself is a motivator and ensures positive experiences for both horse and rider.

Presentation and Consistency
In the show ring, presentation matters as much as performance. Lucy Taylor, a respected show rider and judge, emphasises that routines and attention to detail, both in yourself and your horse, make a difference. “Being organised and polished helps you feel confident and your horse respond better,” she says. Even small touches, like grooming and tack preparation, communicate professionalism and care to both judges and your equine partner.

Mindset and Enjoyment
Elite riders never lose sight of the joy in riding. Christine Bates, with decades of international experience, reminds us to stay present: “I’m exactly where I want to be and enjoy the moment.” Young riders like Emelia Smith and Elsie Rieger echo this sentiment, focusing on fun during schooling and competitions. Amelia’s excitement for off-lead exercises or Elsie’s dedication to calm, consistent schooling illustrates how enjoyment fuels motivation.

No Limits, Just Goals

Overcoming challenges is part of every rider’s journey, but few embody this more than Felicity Weal. As a para dressage rider, Felicity has shown that setbacks don’t define you, your mindset does. She proves that with consistency, determination, and belief in your partnership, obstacles can be turned into stepping stones toward success. “If you put your mind to it, anything is possible,” she says, a reminder that resilience is as important as skill in the saddle.

Likewise, Emma Adams encourages riders to push past nerves and focus on what they can control. By reframing anxiety into motivation, Emma shows that confidence comes from preparation and trust in both yourself and your horse.

Support and Community
No rider is truly alone. Coaches, mentors, and fellow riders provide guidance and encouragement. Courtney Cremasco and Team Sutherland highlight the value of teamwork and shared learning. Edwina Sutherland reflects, “Training a number of horses through to FEI level has taught me that encouraging others is as rewarding as personal wins,” while Felicity and Posie stress the importance of supporting each other in competition and daily training.

Practical Tips to Stay Motivated

• Stick to routines, even during school or work commitments.
• Focus on one improvement at a time, like Mackenzie’s approach to incremental progress.
• Warm up your horse and yourself thoroughly, as Lyndal, Kelly, and Lucy suggest.
• Incorporate structured exercises such as laterals, pole work, or off-lead canters to give purpose to your training.
• Celebrate small victories, whether it’s a smooth piaffe, a successful lateral, or a positive schooling session.
• Remember to smile: Tanisha, Amelia, and Christine remind us that enjoyment keeps the ride rewarding.

By taking lessons from these ambassadors, riders of all ages and levels can find strategies to stay motivated, tackle challenges, and grow both in the ring and beyond. Success isn’t only about winning ribbons, it’s about building skills, confidence, and a love for the sport that lasts a lifetime.