| That's right, don't get off the couch folks, you | | | | if the family is running amok or the TV is blaring, |
| can actually improve your riding from right where | | | | whatever, find somewhere you can be quiet and |
| you sit! I know, I have done it. Now you still will | | | | alone.) |
| have to do a bit of riding, don't get me wrong, | | | | Once you feel your mind turning from without to |
| there are no short cuts to the perfect score. You | | | | within, spend several minutes running a vivid film in |
| can however improve your outcome using some | | | | your head of you riding the perfect dressage |
| simple principles which I will outline below. | | | | test. Feel the visualization as if it is happening at |
| Firstly, have you heard of visualization? Some of | | | | that moment. How would you feel riding that test, |
| you will have, some not so I will explain a little: | | | | what would it look like as you are riding toward |
| visualization ties your imagination to reality, it is a | | | | the next marker in a perfect extended trot, |
| process of using your imagination to create a | | | | shoulder in, etc. The kick here is, the more you |
| picture or film inside your head of yourself being | | | | can feel, see and hear things happening as they |
| somewhere or doing something you want to do. | | | | should in your visualization, the better it will work. |
| It has been used by many successful athletes and | | | | This may be hard for you at first, especially if |
| you can use it too. | | | | you are not used to it and it is easy to be |
| Our example in this case is the dressage test. | | | | distracted. Keep at it and keep practicing, don't |
| Now obviously you need to learn the test and put | | | | finish the visualization until you are ready. You |
| the work into the horse, but visualization can | | | | should try this daily for at least the week leading |
| really create that extra edge to get those few | | | | up to the big day. There are obviously more |
| extra marks on the day. | | | | points to visualization and many other ways to |
| So, sit back, relax, and try this... | | | | improve your riding through personal development |
| Take a deep breath, relax and concentrate | | | | and various techniques which will help in your riding. |
| inward. (It helps if you are in a nice quiet place so | | | | |