SPEAK to any Irish-based rider at the start of the year and ask them what their goals are and they will normally tell you all roads lead to the RDS Dublin Horse Show. I think you need to be Irish (I’m not!) to truly appreciate what this historic show really means to those who have grown up dreaming of competing in Ballsbridge. With its international prestige, Dublin is a showcase for Irish breeding as well as the pinnacle for showing. It’s a feast for national and international show jumping and performance classes as well as one of the country’s biggest social events of the summer.

Of course wanting something this much, striving for it, working towards it and then qualifying for it means that there is an added element for many when they finally step out on to Simmonscourt or the hallowed turf of the main arena. It means so so much. It is the end of the dream and the beginning of the reality.

Ability to focus

As riders one of the most valuable skills we can learn is to ride the course, not the occasion. When we put too much emphasis on a single event it can change how we prepare; how we are physically, mentally, and how we ride. Often we simply lose the ability to focus on the task at hand and get overwhelmed by the occasion.

Why is this so important? When riders become preoccupied with the significance of an event - be it the RDS, a major championship, an Olympic round, or even a local show with personal importance - they often lose focus on the actual task of riding. We are after all human no matter what level we ride at. This shift in attention can lead to mistakes, hesitation, and a disconnect with the horse.

Depending on your riding competency, the thoughts may differ, but the concept stays the same - our brain is such a big part of our operating system and studies show we will all improve our ride by working on our mental skills of confidence, focus and resilience to maximise our performance both in and out of the ring.

Task-focused mindset

To “ride the course and not the occasion” athletes must cultivate a task-focused mindset. This involves several key strategies:

1. Compartmentalisation: Riders must learn to mentally separate the importance of the event from the actual task of riding. The course doesn’t change because it’s an important competition; the jumps are the same maximum height, the distances remain constant. By focusing on these concrete elements, riders can maintain their composure and perform at their best.

2. Your skills are still there. The physical riding ability is there so keeping yourself mentally in the game simply allows you to use your skills to ride the best round or show piece that you can on the day.

3. Present-moment awareness: Equestrian sports require split-second decisions and constant adjustments. By staying fully present and aware of their horse’s movements and responses, riders can react more effectively to the challenges of the course.

4. Process goals vs. outcome goals: I encourage riders to focus on process goals (e.g., maintaining a consistent rhythm, getting the right approach, executing precise turns) rather than outcome goals (winning or jumping clear). Process goals keep the rider’s attention on the elements they can control, leading to better overall performance.

5. Routine development: Establishing a consistent pre-ride routine can help riders enter a focused, performance-ready state of mind, regardless of the event’s perceived importance.

6. Positive self-talk: The internal dialogue of any athlete significantly impacts their performance and riders are no different. Work on replacing anxiety-inducing thoughts (“This is such an important event, I can’t mess up”) with task-focused affirmations (“I know the course and the distances, I’ve prepared for this, I can ride each fence as it comes”).

7. Visualisation: Mental rehearsal of the course, focusing on the technical aspects and the feeling of a successful ride can help riders stay focused on the task when it’s time to perform.

9. Breath control: Simple breathing techniques can help manage physiological responses to stress, keeping riders calm and focused on the ride rather than the occasion.

10. Fear: Fear is basically our built-in survival kit. It’s like our brain’s way of saying, “Hey, watch out!” Sorry to disappoint you but there is no scientific proof of anyone ever being able to get rid of their fear - it’s like saying that we can banish thirst or hunger — you can’t because our bodies are hardwired to have these things to help keep us alive. The limbic system processes incoming information from the sense of danger. When activated we have a fight, flight or freeze response and our body takes over.

There is no magic wand to flick and make fear vanish. It’s a crucial part of how we stay safe and alert. What we can do is equip ourselves with the above skills to overcome fear and anxiety, it’s about building strength and resilience in the face of fear.

Shortage of talent

From Olympic show jumpers to weekend riders, the benefits of a strong mental game are clear. What often holds riders back from reaching their full potential on the big days isn’t a shortage of talent, skill or drive. It’s the ability to align every aspect — mental, physical, emotional, and psychological — to allow them to excel.

Scan this QR code for Jacques’ free checklist designed for anyone heading to compete at the DublinHorse Show next week.