Use Cue Words to Improve Your Performance (Current freebie!)

Let me share an intimate personal story with you... A long time ago, I went through a brief phase in my riding, where my horse's very big jumping efforts in the Show Jumping were jostling me out of my position. As you can see from these photos, Felix would often clear his oxers by a couple of feet:







The problem would then be compounded, as I approached each big jump (especially big, square oxers) anticipating being thrown out of position, and I would unconsciously react by becoming tense and rigid, bracing myself against the jump on the takeoff. This of course meant that the shock absorbing quality of my joints would be locked. And I would have NO chance of staying with his rocket launch style of jumping with locked shock absorbers! So things would go from bad to worse. And a vicious circle ensued. 

I knew what the problem was, but I was having a hard time making myself stay supple and relaxed on the takeoff, so that I had a chance of going with my horse's jumping motion more smoothly. So, what I did to fix this problem was to pay a visit to an Equestrian Sport Psychologist. And it was none other than our wonderful Dr. Paul Haefner of Riding Far!

What he had me do was try to remember a very specific time when I did go smoothly with my horse in a supple way over a jump. Then he had me come up with a "cue" word, that I would use to bridge the feeling I wanted to have to the jumps I would be approaching. I chose the word "supple".

He then had me close my eyes, and imagine that perfect jump in my head. Feeling every little detail, and seeing myself following my horse's motion perfectly. While I played that movie over and over in my head, he would say the word "supple". This went on for 15 minutes or so... and then I left.

I had an Event that weekend, and was curious as to whether my single visit to the Sports Psychologist would have any affect on my performance. To be honest... I really didn't think it would.

What I was to do was to utilize my cue word every chance I had. When walking the Show Jumping course, I would say the word "supple" (in my head) as I was walking up to each big jump. I would say it when I would mentally rehearse my course in my head, along with picturing and feeling myself going with my horse's motion perfectly. 

When it came time to actually jump my Show Jumping course, I said the word "supple" quietly in my head a few strides out from each jump. And do you know what?? It worked! My problem was at least 90% better! From just one visit to the Sports Psychologist, and no actual riding practice whatsoever! I could hardly believe it!

That experience really showed me just how powerful the mind is, and how we can use that power to improve our riding! I think that in general, this power is greatly under-utilized! 

So how can YOU use your mind to improve your riding?? Think about an area of your riding where you might be able to incorporate a simple cue word or phrase to remind you subconscious what to focus on. 

Do you tend to be nervous at shows? Try the word "calm", or "serene". Do you struggle with elastically following your horse's motion with your elbows? Try the word "bungee cord", or "jello". Would you like to relax and sink more onto your seat bones on the flat? Try thinking of "melting butter". Do you want to be more still and quiet on top of your horse? Try thinking of the word "poise", and maybe imagine carrying a book on your head, or one of the riders from the Spanish Riding School. Would you like to be more quietly focused in all of your work? Try the words "calmly focused". 

Try to remember a very specific time when you did feel like you were calm at a show, elastic in your elbows, or poised and elegant on your horse... and go through the same process that I outlined above to help you bridge that word to the quality that you would like to reproduce. If you have never felt that quality, then you will have to use your imagination to produce the movie in your head, and the feel of what you are looking for. This can work hand in hand with the "as if" principle, to use visualization and the power of your mind to improve your riding.