First competition - nerves and remembering the course

Hi! How lovely that you are going to compete 😍

Nerves are completely normal, but it can help to find your own tricks so that your brain does not fire up too hard and start treating it as a threat, because that often triggers strong physical reactions. Examples are sweating, a racing heart, and forgetting the course. Our brains still work the way they did thousands of years ago, and if they read something very important as imminent, they can take it for a threat to life 🧠

To get that sense of calm back, you need to do things that remind your brain you are not in danger, that you are safe. What do you normally do when you feel safe? Everyday jobs like oiling leather, packing haynets, and chatting with friends work well for a lot of people. Once you are in the saddle, try focusing on your breathing and your body, such as how it feels to hold the reins and to have your feet in the stirrups. That can settle you, which in turn makes it easier to remember the course.

And last but not least: I hope you have fun! The very best of luck 🌟🌸