Ahead for Horses
“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”
Having ridden and coached horses for 35 years, I have seen time and time again how horses react to a rider’s psychology. They can be put off balance by the smallest lack of belief. I currently compete my own horse - Ginger - at Prix St George level dressage and I know from experience how confidence can change the outcome of high-pressured competitions.
"Debbie immediately helped me get to the source of the problem with her practical, honest and kind approach.”
– Kerry
Racing beyond your nerves
Sometimes an upcoming competition can feel insurmountable. Even getting in the saddle is too much. If nerves are preventing you from giving a winning performance or just enjoying your horse, I can give you the tools to quickly recover your confidence and ride beyond your fears.
My sessions are practical and effective and will include techniques that you can take away and use well beyond our time working together. Confidence isn’t something you have or you don’t. It’s a skill like any other, one that can be taught and practiced. I have dozens of clients who can attest to the very real difference coaching can make.
“She managed to fit me in for two sessions before the competition. All I can say is it was amazing. I have no doubt in my mind that without her I couldn’t have done it. She made the impossible possible and not only that enjoyable. So please, if you are suffering from nerves, give this a try. I am the biggest sceptic in world but I am now totally converted.”
Training up to your best performance
Pressure can seem to come from everywhere – unpredictable horses, owners, sponsors, businesses. Riders often come for ongoing support to help them through a very demanding profession. Others come to learn to enjoy riding again and to break in their optimum performance.
As a rider, I know that other forms of help can be essential. I can make referrals for you to trusted professionals in financing, legal work, personal fitness and nutrition - all of whom specialise in supporting professional riders - so that you can take up the reins with confidence.
“Every session I learn new skills and new techniques that can help me with my everyday life, not just in showjumping and every session I learn to see my memories under a different light.
Debbie did more than just helping me overcome my fears, she gave me back my passion.”
- Julia
What does a performance coaching session look like?
Sessions take place in Frocester Gloucestershire or over video conference - though usually it is best for the first session to be in-person. I often make trips to London so we can arrange to meet up there instead.
Each session costs £160. The first session is 2 hours and subsequent sessions are 1.5 hours. I will ask questions and listen carefully to you, so I can create a bespoke programme that gets to the root cause of the problem. Sessions will include NLP methods – developed from hypnotherapy and psychotherapy – to give you confidence, motivation and clear-thinking under pressure.
Want to achieve more? Contact me for a chat or to meet for coffee.
Workshops
These off-the-saddle sessions in Gloucestershire are designed to help you grow in confidence with other riders. Group sessions are often fuelled by homemade cake!
“For anyone out there going round in circles and not achieving their goals or even not having any goals it is well worth taking this course.” - Carolyn Kitson
