In the Saddle with Anita Marsh: Positive thinking aids riding

So, this year my focus has been on my daughter and her new pony. She's had such fun competing and already has established a number of rosettes so it was extra special to take the time out recently to show jump my own mare 'April'.
Anita and her horse 'April' enjoying showjumping together at a local show.Anita and her horse 'April' enjoying showjumping together at a local show.
Anita and her horse 'April' enjoying showjumping together at a local show.

I hadn't loaded April since October last year, when I took her out to do showcross. April loaded into beautifully and I think she was very excited to be off out.

I've owned April since she was five years old (she's now eleven) and we've done a bit of everything over our years together. We've done cross country a few times, a bit of basic dressage, cross country schooling, showing and clear round jumping but I've never showjumped her.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

April is one of those horses who won't just go straight over a jump. She requires you to ride her every step of the way and to show confidence into the fences.

If for one moment you merely think a hesitating thought on approach she can refuse it. She seems to know exactly what I am thinking before I even think it myself.

I always get very nervous when I am out at a show. I get quite stressy which immediately transmits to April and I have to be careful not to let her 'feel' it as it affects her too.

This time I decided to change the words I use in my head and to friends. So, instead of saying 'I'm nevous' I simply replaced it with 'I'm excited', whilst clearly imagining jumping each fence confidently.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We ensured I arrived in plenty of time to learn the course, get my hat checked and enter my classes plus give April time to warm up. I was still nervous but perhaps it did work as it didn't take much to persuade me to do another couple of classes after.pOSIRTI

We ended up having a great day coming home with three rosettes. I hadn't imagined rosettes in my 'positive thinking' moments, so I was totally thrilled.

April had extra carrots in her tea that night and I had celebrated with chocolate.