I recently completed the Centre 10 Foundation Coaching Course, which is Performance Psychology based.

One of the concepts is using an Inside Out approach to managing performance.

Inside is the things that you can control such as your own thoughts and actions and outside is the things that you can’t control such as the weather, other people etc. When we focus on the controllable the uncontrollable are less likely negatively impact our performance. If you’re thinking about the rain or the red chair near the arena you aren’t focusing on your riding so it’s less likely to go well isn’t it? If you fully focus on your own actions and mindset whilst riding and really tune into your horse instead of what is going on around you, you’re more likely to ride well aren’t you?

This got me to thinking about how I might apply this to my own goals this year.

If you see me in person (and therefore have to listen to my weekly slot of horse nonsense!) you will know my Fell pony Gwydion is a complicated character. I can find that frustrating and that means we can struggle to get along sometimes. Note: He is incredibly handsome and has the prettiest hair though which is an important quality.

 The thing is I can’t change how he reacts to situations – OUTSIDE ……..but I can change how I react to him-INSIDE. If I can focus on staying calm and relaxed no matter what he’s presenting me with that day I will not be playing a part in escalating his tension and I will be feeling less frustration myself during and after the session. You never know, this could change the overall outcome of those sessions……

I think it’s important to realise that Performance Psychology and Mindset is not just something that is applicable to competition. It can apply to any interaction with your horse or indeed any area of your life.

Focus on controlling the controllable and let the uncontrollable sort themselves out.