INGA WOLFRAMM - PERFECT MIND: PERFECT RIDE: SPORT PSYCHOLOGY FOR SUCCESSFUL RIDING

WHY SPORT PSYCHOLOGY MATTERS

I ts the year 1991, a few days after the four-star eventing competition at Burghley, UK. A 23-year old Pippa Nolan eagerly rifles through the pages of the British magazine Horse & Hound. For the first time shed competed two horses at that level and shes hoping for glowing reviews of her fourth and fourteenth place. Imagine her disappointment when shes greeted by the following comment by Captain Mark Phillips, former Olympian and eventing aficionado:

two young ladies (referring to Pippa Nolan and Lucinda Murray) who wont be reliable at top level until they go back to basics and learn to ride across country properly.

What a blow to a young riders confidence.

Fast forward to 2003, and Pippa Nolan, now Pippa Funnell, becomes the first and only rider to date! to win the Rolex Grand Slam; a feat that involves winning not one, but the three consecutive four-star events: Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley. Since that fateful comment twelve years ago, Pippa Funnell has turned herself into one of the best eventing riders in the world.

How did she do it? At the heart of her success lies a combination of talent, incredibly hard work, commitment to the sport, believing in herself, perseverance in the face of failure and coping under pressure. In a word, Pippa Funnell became mentally tough. She learned how to use mental skills to tremendous effect.

As a result, Pippa Funnell has been one of the most vocal riders about the value of sport psychology throughout much of her career, crediting much of her success to the honing of her mental skills. In her autobiography, she sums up the problem as well as the solution.

One of the conditions for receiving Lottery money is that riders are expected to take advice from specially appointed people like nutritionists, physiotherapists and sport psychologists. () Sport psychology was pretty new then (ed: 1998) and most riders felt it was completely unnecessary; in fact all my friends thought it was hideously embarrassing and gave it a wide berth. But I wasnt embarrassed; I just pricked up my ears. I have always been open-minded to suggestions because I feel that if anything, however minute, can help me, its a bonus.

And what a bonus it turned out to be.

Over the past few decades researchers have shown in literally hundreds of studies that (sport) psychological concepts such as self-confidence, the ability to perform under pressure, handle setbacks effectively, commitment and perseverance are important contributors to competitive performance. Those performers (riders), who are able to hold it together mentally when the pressure is on almost always end up on top. What is more and despite what many riders still think the level someone rides at doesnt even come into it.

Surprised? Dont be.

You see, its like this: regardless of whether youre just starting out or are a seasoned professional, the idea of proving your worth in front of any kind of audience, at an event, a show, or even at home, can be nerve-wracking.

The reasons are straightforward enough. In competition, you and a bunch of other riders are thrown into the ring together and expected to battle it out to see who comes out on top. But even if youre only riding at home, the moment someone decides to stand next to the arena to watch, theyre highly likely to have an opinion of how youre doing. And then theres you. Youve invested so much time, effort and money into the sport. Youve sacrificed other areas of your life, be that school, friends, recreational activities or even a steady relationship for the sake of that one, all-consuming love. Your horses and your sport. Now you want to prove it hasnt been for nothing. Never mind how much pleasure you derive from being with your horse, from training and riding every day, deep down, you still want other people to approve of what youre doing. You want external validation and a sure-fire way to get it is to do well in competition (or to have lots of people telling you that youre amazing).