If you are a competitive rider, I am sure you are familiar with the benefits of visualization. You know, the “if you can see it you can be it” stuff? As a sport consultant, visualization is one of the most popular go to techniques for creating peak performance, but it is a little more complex than just making pictures in your mind. Here are a few props to use when visualizing that will bring your pictures to life.
Visualization 101
In case you are not familiar with visualization, here is the short version.Visualization or mental rehearsal is defined as ‘the symbolic rehearsal of a physical activity in the absence of any gross muscular movements.”
It is making a mental movie in your mind, and playing it through. Research shows that a combination of “imagined practice” and actual practice creates better performances than those that rely solely on actual practice.
Practice does not make perfect
Contrary to popular belief, practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. When you create the perfect performance in your mind, you will be well on your way to creating it in the arena.
Take One
When you first start your visualization practice, you want to do it in third person, where you are actually watching yourself perform. You will want to see yourself, your horse and anything else that is relevant to your particular event. An easy way to do this is to imagine that you are watching yourself on TV (or You Tube if you are a member of the web 2.0 generation). Make sure your movie is in real time, meaning that if it takes you 2 minutes to do a pattern, your visualization should take the same amount of time.
How easy was it for you to do this? Were you able to focus and concentrate on every stride? If you have the attention span of a bumble -bee, you may find that watching something in your mind for two minutes feels like eternity.
It’s not just about pictures
As equestrians, we don’t ride solely by sight, we ride by feel as well. It would be impossible to have to look at your horses hind legs to know if he is cross cantering, but you can feel it. You can’t see if you have the right pace down the western riding line, you feel it. When you are mentally rehearsing something, you need to feel it in your body, as you are seeing it in your mind.
If you are wondering how this is possible, try observing any sports fanatic watching their favorite sport. As they are thoroughly engaged in the action, you will most likely see them moving their body to assist with a three pointer in basketball, or help with a takedown during a MMA Pay Per View fight.
Cut!
You may find that you did not get everything right in the first take. Not a problem. Just notice what those things are. Chances are these are the same things that trip you up in the show arena. The good news is, this is the perfect time and the place to fix them in your own private Hollywood.
If you had any glitches, just go back and ride that specific piece in your mind until you get it right and exactly how you want it to be.
Soundtrack and Special Effects
Every great movie has a great soundtrack, special effects and lots of color.Yours should be no different. Get all of your senses involved. What are you hearing? Smelling? Is it a nice warm day? The more sensory input you have, the better. It’s your perfect ride, so make it rich and meaningful to you.
Sneak Preview
Once you get through your mental rehearsal a few times, you can then move to another point of view…First Person. It is how you experience the experience when you are in the saddle. As you are on your horse you will be watching your movie through your own eyes, seeing what you see, hearing what you hear, and feeling what you feel. Once you get comfortable visualizing from this point of view, add in your soundtrack and special effects, and your movie is well on it’s way to becoming a blockbuster!
All Access Pass
In any movie production, there is more than one camera. Scenes are shot from all different perspectives, and sometimes looking at something through someone else’s eyes can add more to the story. If you would like to really increase you confidence and trust in your equine partner, try this one.
Ride your class or course from the perspective of your horse. As your horse, consider the following questions. What am I paying attention to? What am I feeling? Notice how balanced your rider feels on your back. Am I getting the support I need? Did I just get jabbed with your spur?
Pay attention to the subtle messages that you are getting, and then go ahead and take that feedback and incorporate into your perfect ride. If you feel intimidated by Judges, spectators or anybody else, go ahead and watch your performance from their perspective. You may be surprised what you find out when you spend some time in their position.
Show Ring Blockbuster
Like anything else, being able to do this takes practice, so be patient with yourself. Commit to spending a few minutes a day, and notice what you notice, and then move on. No critic’s allowed! And who knows? Your award winning performance may be right around the corner
Kirsten Farris is a Certified Sport Consultant, Certified Equestrian Fitness Trainer, and the Author of The Workbook for the Equestrian Athlete- A Guide to Showring Success. For more information contact her at: kirsten@equestrianathlete.com © 2010
