Think about all the time effort and money that we pump into our horses, equipment, lessons, transport and then think about how little attention we pay to the most powerful muscle in our body that can help us the most with all areas of our riding........ our Brain.

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The good news is that these techniques,  self-talk, mental rehearsal, mental imagery and visualization, visuo-motor behaviour rehearsal, cognitive-behaviour therapy, biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, are skills that can be developed by anyone.

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Athletes who have completed effective Psychological Skills Training programmes have*;

• Higher confidence.

• Greater self-regulation of arousal.

• Better communication.

• More positive thoughts and images.

• More determination or commitment.

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"Psychological skills training refers to the systematic and consistent practice of mental or psychological skills for the purpose of enhancing performance, increasing enjoyment, or achieving greater self-satisfaction." (Gould 2003).

 

 “Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” (Wooden, 1966)

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Together we can combine the two!

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*Gould and Weinberg (2003)

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