DOUG’S READING LIST:
Finding Your Zone: Ten Core Lessons for Achieving Peak Perfor- mance in Sports and Life, by Michael Lardon (Perigee Trade, 2008).
The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance, by Josh Waitzkin (Free Press, 2008).
The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance, by W. Timothy Gallwey (Random House, 1997).
line to every jump. If you accomplished this at 10 of the 12 jumps today and only 9 of the 12 yesterday, you’re on the right track. The results will come. You’ll win when you get 12 out of 12. 4. Build confidence. You need to continuously
push yourself to elevate your performance. Do so in a progressive fashion. Don’t fall victim to peer pressure and over face you or your horse. Confidence can initially be fragile, so make sure you have positive experiences! The other part of this equation that is often overlooked: surround yourself with very positive people who are preferably better than you. You will soon rise to their level. Remember that the best riders are never content; they are constantly working toward perfection in order to stay ahead of the competition. I’ve developed a composite rider in my mind—someone with the best
attributes of many top riders from multiple disciplines— and I emulate that imaginary person. 5. Perform when it counts. Simulate your competitive
arena at home, and get out into the big world to compete for real. There is no substitute for experience. Take an analytical approach to your failures. They’re going to happen, expect them and learn from them. In essence, relax and stay positive. Try not to judge
yourself. Instead, maintain “a work in progress” attitude, and it will trickle down to your horse. Remember two things: anything worth doing is worth doing well, and it requires continuous practice. Check back frequently with your benchmarks. And
don’t forget to enjoy the process. If you’re so focused on the goal and don’t enjoy the ride, you have forgotten why you are doing this in the first place!
About Doug Payne: An upper level eventer who runs his own training facility in Gladstone, NJ, Doug is an ICP Certified instructor, USEF Judge and Technical Dele- gate. He recently produced “The Rider’s Eye,” a training video with Olympic Silver Medalist, author and coach, Jimmy Wofford.
❏ Photos courtesy Doug Payne, except above by Maylen Pierce
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