Survive Riding Anxiety Like a Champion

Every equestrian experiences a rough patch at some point in their riding career. I recently talked with Ali DeGray, one of the Saddleseat industry's most successful riders, about overcoming the fears that come with being in the saddle.

Ali DeGray, 27, started out riding in a completely different discipline. It wasn't until she saw another trainer (Nancy Scott) riding a National Show Horse that she decided she wanted to learn to post. She was captivated by the thrill and excitement of the new, upbeat discipline. However, it was not always smooth sailing. She states, "As a beginner rider, I was a nervous wreck...extremely timid... not aggressive... and... not at all competitive. I had to really work on my confidence in my ability." She learned to trust her horses and build a bond with each one. Since surpassing her timid days, she has won handfuls of World Championships, Reserve World Championships, and even 4 World Grand Championships. DeGray goes on to mention that she is never done learning and even lists some of her current struggles she is working to conquer. She also mentions, "I still struggle with confidence, sometimes thinking, “am I good enough to show this horse? Is this pony too much for me?” but my current trainers at DeVore Stables and Majestic Oaks have really helped me feel like I can do anything. How does she overcome her fears? "Honestly, I think about everything that I’ve sacrificed to get to where I am. All the missed birthday parties, weddings, concerts, etc., just to practice horse back riding and driving. All of the rough rides, the frustration, the tears, the injuries- I can’t go into that ring and blow it because I am nervous. That would be self-sabotage, and it would be such a regret to line up and know that I didn’t give it my all because I had anxiety or fear. More applicable, perhaps, is my trick of taking a deep breath, and counting to three, before I pick up the gait that the judge just called for. You don’t have to canter IMMEDIATELY. No one wins for being the first person flying down the straight-away. You have to check in with your horse, check out the traffic in front of you, make a plan, give your horse a solid signal, and nurture them through the first three steps. Focusing on the needs of my horse, and doing things right instead of quickly, has really helped me stay calm and focused."

Not all riding fears are a result of being in the saddle. Sometimes, our "horsey stress-inducers" have more to do with people than any kind of animal. According to Zoe Schaffel, we are our biggest critics and often find ourselves placed under unnecessary boundaries.

Zoey Schaffel, age 20, began her riding career as a five year old in academy. Two years later, she made her performance debut on Somersby and eventually found her way to Five Gait Stables where "everything fell into place." She went on to win multiple titles including World Champion Youth Road Horse to Bike 2016 (IAMNOTACOW), as well as top placings in 5 Gaited, 5 Gaited Pleasure, Show Pleasure, Pony to Bike, Pleasure Driving, 3 Gaited divisions. She explains some of the biggest struggles she has dealt with recently in her riding journey, saying a lot of her "riding anxiety" came from aging out. There is a lot of pressure placed on the younger generation of riders due to intense competition. Once riders age out of the Junior Exhibitor divisions, they become little fish in a big pond. The end of the Junior's career is often

marked as the end of rider's entire journey. However, Schaffel claims: "This transition was actually one of the best things that could've happened to me for showing." Once afraid of becoming lost in the crowds, she learned that one of her biggest fears had become a blessing. She explains how relaxed she felt after aging out stating it "relieved a lot of pressure and anxiety I aways felt when I got older in the junior exhibitor ranks." Schaffel gives the saddleseat community one more example of why equestrians are built on perseverance and patience and teaches us to never give up something we love.