Bodyzone

TACKLING tension

WE’VE EXAMINED VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BODY IN OUR WHIRLWIND TOUR, PINPOINTING ISSUES AND IDENTIFYING HOW EACH OF THESE AREAS INTERCONNECTS FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE OVERALL POSITION. THERE’S ONE COMMON PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THAT HAS THE POWER TO AFFECT THE WAY WE RIDE: THE LOWLEVEL, WHOLE-BODY TENSION THAT MANY OF US HARBOUR WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING, SAYS ANDREA OAKES.

INSET: TENSION CAN DETRACT FROM WHAT RIDERS ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE, POINTS OUT GRAND PRIX RIDER AND COACH HANNAH BIGGS. “You can see how anxious some riders are,” says Alison Short, a British Dressage UKCC level three coach who teaches across a range of levels. “If you have a horse, a house, a family and a job to juggle, it’s understandable that your mind may be running at 90mph. You may ride well, but, if your heart rate is at warp speed, your emotions will aff ect your horse.

“Dressage is all about building a union of understanding,” adds Alison, who has started a non-ridden group to help riders develop a way to connect with their bodies to address tension issues. “We can change the reaction of the horse by getting our mind in the right place before we even walk on the yard. The more we can learn to control our emotions on the ground, and in the saddle, the better that union will be.”

According to grand prix dressage rider and coach

Hannah Biggs, a certain level of stress or tension is only natural.

“It comes down to us being human,” she explains. “We all have fear; it’s essential for survival. What’s important

is not to be dismissive of this or feel that it’s wrong, but to fi nd ways of dealing with it In modern life, our minds are incredibly busy, explains Hannah. And in dressage, a sport that’s judged, our emotions can fl are up ecause of perfectionism or self-criticism. “Horses are incredibly intuitive animals and can 90mph. You may ride well, but, if your heart rate read our body language and physical energy,” is at warp speed, your emotions will aff ect she e plains ny mental issues will aff ect us physically. This can result in muscle tension, even if we’re not aware of it, which horses can feel and pick up on. “Tension can also cost us attention and focus, detracting from what we’re doing and trying to achieve,” adds Hannah. “To attain the mental freedom we need, we need to be aware of where tension comes from and learn how to manage it.” can learn to control our emotions on the Hannah is a fan of psychology books ground, and in the saddle, the better that and podcasts, doubling up her time on a long drive to an airport or a clinic to listen to motivational material. “I use that time to work on my mental strategy, or I’ll even listen while I’m riding as it helps me to focus,” she says. “I also use mindfulness apps and make time for a weekly check-in with myself. I’ll use an hour or two on a

read our body language and physical energy,” she e plains ny mental issues will aff ect us physically. This can result in muscle tension, even if we’re not aware of it, which horses can feel and pick up on. and focus, detracting from what we’re doing and trying to achieve,” adds Hannah. “To attain the mental freedom we need, we need to be aware of where tension comes from and learn how to manage it.” Hannah is a fan of psychology books and podcasts, doubling up her time on a long drive to an airport or a clinic to listen to

Sunday afternoon for mindfulness, to think about how I’m doing and what I’m feeling. MAKING ME-TIME any people go to the gym to work on their physical fi tness and conditioning, ut few fi nd the time to sit down and check in with A self-confessed bookworm, Hannah sets time aside to themselves mentally, adds annah t may seem selfi sh or too read for mindfulness and motivation. These are a few of her di cult to put that time aside, ut one of the est things we can do for favourite titles... others is to look after ourselves.” Fear Less: How to Win at Life Without Losing Yourself annah is seeing tangi le enefi ts from paying greater attention to - Dr Pippa Grange her mindset and creating a little more me time’ Beyond Possible - Nimsdai Purja ny physical activity that’s not horse related helps, she says ’ll The Long Win - Cath Bishop also try to build in a session in the sauna and steamroom. Head Start - Ian Price then fi nd that ’m more a le to process things, e plains annah, The Fear Bubble - Ant Middleton referring to the inevita le ups and downs in life iding wise, ’m Daring Greatly - Brené Brown more aware if I’m not in the right frame of mind and I’m better at and podcasts… recognising if my body is out of line. If I work out in the morning, The High Performance Podcast, with know that my riding will improve ecause my muscles are fi ring Jake Humphrey and Professor Damien correctly and my head is in the right place. Hughes; Life Lessons from Sport and

“As a coach, I’m interested in the language people use,” she adds. Beyond, with Simon Mundie. “It’s all about having those conversations and asking questions, digging a bit deeper. If a rider is struggling with a half pass, why can’t they put their inside leg on? Is it down to asymmetry? If so, why are they not doing something

“WE CAN CHANGE THE REACTION OF THE HORSE BY GETTING OUR MIND IN THE RIGHT PLACE BEFORE WE EVEN WALK ON THE YARD.”

a out this here’s a reason ehind everything, so the trick is to fi nd out what’s physically or mentally stopping someone.”

Everybody has stressful days, agrees Hannah. If we are able to leave those problems behind when we deal with our horses, we can e pect a more positive reaction orses can cheer us up, of course, if we’re an ious, she says

“But if we can make sure we’re OK before going to the yard, they won’t pick up that bad vibe and we’re likely to get a better response. t’s worth stopping now and then to refl ect and think a out possible causes of tension, rather than just rushing through life and not dealing with it.”

THE WINNING FORMULA?

“I’ve seen people sell horses they think are wrong for them, only to have the same problem with the next one,” says Alison, who believes that the relentless drive for success can exacerbate a rider’s residual tension and anxiety. “Only by learning how to control our body and emotions, and giving ourselves the time to visualise and feel what we are trying to achieve, can we build the foundations of success.

“People want to win, but with a more holistic approach, working in partnership with a horse, better percentages will come anyway,” she adds. “That’s the value of good training.”