Chukka Wellness: Stay Accountable Become the Best!

India Parker-Smith is the founder and owner of Chukka Wellness which provides the leading training and movement methodology designed for the equestrian athlete to enhance suppleness, stability and strength in the saddle. India is a Personal Trainer who offers online and offline fitness training designed to elevate the well-being of the equestrian athlete. Using her knowledge of seven years she has created a series of masterclasses, a virtual membership hub and online training programmes all designed to complement the equestrian’s health and wellness both in and out of the saddle. You will find more information on India’s services on her website www.chukkawellness.co.uk and Instagram page @chukka_wellness

Stay Accountable & Become the Best!

Accountability: “the quality or state of being accountable; an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions.”

Everyday people are required to be accountable for their actions, whether it is completing their gym session, turning up to a meeting or something as simple as returning a phone call.

When playing in a game situation, it is important to establish your role within the team and stay accountable for your actions whilst working cohesively with your three other teammates.

For this process to work smoothly, there are a few crucial components:

- Mental Alertness and Clarity - Physical Fitness and Strength - Clear goals – own your responsibilities and ensure their execution - Communication - Fundamentals in practice - A strong game plan!

Being accountable is not making excuses, not blaming others or whinging and complaining. It’s about analysing your individual performance and reflecting in order to achieve better results next time. can aid in mental focus and strength as well as overall control in the saddle and quicker recovery. Revise your fitness programme every six weeks to ensure you stay on track with your body goals.

Polo is a physically demanding sport but it still requires a clear and calm head. We see many players losing their temper and blaming others which can lead to losing the game and/or low team moral.

This is where accountability takes centre stage; It’s about doing what you say you’re going to do and executing the task to the best of your ability. It’s being able to put your hand up and say ‘this is what I need to do better’ if you don’t get it right.

Mental Skills Coach Nick Dann reminds us, “we play polo to have fun and that we all have to lose or have a bad day sometimes. Set yourself goals, be accountable to yourself, go into every game as if it’s your last, but don’t forget the feeling of fulfilment you get from polo. Exercise is great for our mental health, so work on yourself and your fitness, enjoy moving your body and playing an amazing sport.”

Focus on the process not the outcome.

Ways to stay accountable:

1. Ensure you are physically ready for action

We all know that fitness is a brilliant tool to improve mental health as well as motivation and competitiveness. Adding in a fun and effective fitness regime

2. Start your day off with a productive morning routine

How you start your morning can have a huge effect on the rest of the day. I find a good way of starting my day, is with some celery juice, spirulina, task setting, reading, visualisation and of course coffee!

A productive morning routine is crucial

Having this morning routine enhances my mood and gives me clarity for the day ahead! I find that if I skip it, it completely offsets me for the entire day.

3. Reflection

Part of being an athlete is analysing past performances. This can be a useful tool for game days, ask yourself how did my last game go with this team? Did I feel strong and energetic? Was I suffering from brain fog? Did I communicate well with the team?

Joss Ridley, Jayne Darling-Parks & Claire Allen

Read these goals out loud every morning along with your plan of action! If you struggle with motivation, why not find an accountability partner. This could be a professional or simply a friend who you know you can rely on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

Susie Godwin & Barrie Upton

Whether you’re looking to stay accountable in your fitness and health or your polo performance, try adding in a few of these strategies. And remind yourself that CPPC Christmas Party; Cowley Manor, Cheltenham; as long as you know you tried your best and Friday 13 December gave it your all – you cannot punish yourself if the result didn’t go your way. Learn from Ciren Does Christmas You should listen to feedback from your teammates, these experiences and use them to create a even if you don’t agree! more positive outcome. With Christmas on the horizon, Cirencester Park Polo Club

Peter O’Rorke, Matt Evetts & Tony Haynes members and friends gathered to celebrate the festive season 4. Feedback Chukka Wellness is working exclusively at the iconic Cowley Manor near Cheltenham. Alongside a This follows on from reflection – be with various equestrians via a virtual delicious lunch, served to perfection by the lovely Cowley sure to ask for feedback from your Check-in Programme which involves staff, there was laughter and festive cheer aplenty, as guests a weekly catch up call to revise the teammates. Take it on board even if exchanged Christmas tidings of great joy! With all eyes turned week’s goals and schedule. Each you don’t agree with it and work on the to the 2020 season, gossip flew around the room – who will participant will then receive five mini points in isolation. Listen also to the the next big Ciren star be? Which pros will play for which workouts to complete each week. feedback from your body; did your back teams next year? Who will take the most falls? Suffice to say, The programme helps equestrians ache? Did you feel weak in a certain a wonderful lunch was had by all; the perfect way to begin a shot? to maintain their fitness throughout thrilling festive season. busy periods and stay accountable for 5. their goals! Looking to improve your Goal Setting and ‘Accountabilibuddy’Photography by John Hankin Use this internal and external feedback to set or revise your performance goals. Yanna Mudie, Ginny Williams & Natalie Meredith performance in the saddle? Get in touch india@chukkawellness.co.uk If you struggle with motivation, India suggests an Accountabilibuddy

A delicious lunch Christine Williams & Duncan Branch Maureen Moseley, Georgie Seddon-Brown & Isabel Branch