What if you didn’t care what anyone thought?

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Let’s be real:
You know you ride better when it’s just you and your horse.
But throw in a few spectators, a clipboard-holding judge, or your trainer watching from the rail—and suddenly your brain's like,
“Hi, yes, let me make this about literally everyone except the horse I’m riding.”

Ever been there?
I used to spiral if someone looked at me weird during warm-up.
Or if I imagined someone silently judging my outfit, my cue timing, or my ability to lope a straight line.

Here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way):
Other people’s opinions don’t actually cause your nerves.
Your thoughts about their opinions do.

That means—good news—you can change how you think.

Here’s how I help my clients flip that mental script:

🔹 Step 1: Name it.
Notice whose opinion is hijacking your brain. Trainer? Judge? That one girl who always wins? Get specific.

🔹 Step 2: Get curious, not critical.
Ask: “What am I making their opinion mean about me?”
(Usually it’s something like: If they think I’m not good enough, maybe I’m not. Spoiler: not true.)

🔹 Step 3: Choose your focus.
Shift from performing for approval to riding for connection.
One of my favorite affirmations?
“I ride for my horse, not for their applause.”

Because when you ride with grounded confidence instead of grasping for validation, your horse feels it.
And guess what? So does the judge.

 ✨Want to go deeper on this?
This is the exact kind of stuff we break down inside The Mental Gym for Equestrians.

You don’t need to “tough it out” or “just ignore it”—you need tactical tools that rewire your focus, your self-talk, and your results in the show pen.

Let’s train your brain like you train your horse.
See ya in The Mental Gym for Equestrians.

To Your Success,

Nicole

Your Mental Coach