26/ FEBRUARY 2024 THE RIDER Confident Horsemanship:


patterns and emotions, and bad habits. • Competitive riders who have the skills to do well, but fall apart on show day. • Experienced riders who struggle with anxiety after a traumatic fall. • Adult riders who can’t get back to the same level as when they rode as a teenager If sports, including riding, are 90%


(or more) mental then why do most rid- ers and coaches focus 99% of their time only on the physical skills? The human mind has been com-


By Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Con- fidence Coach


Riders of all levels, disciplines, and


ages, can struggle with mental focus, handling external distractions, lack of trust in their abilities, negative thought


pared to an iceberg. The visible part that represents the conscious mind - the log- ical, critical thinking mind - is about 10% of the whole. But the other 90% is underwater and unseen, it’s the uncon- scious mind; the part where emotions, beliefs, memories, imagination, habits, protective reactions are kept. All of your experiences, good and bad, are stored in your unconscious. And without you even being aware of it, your brain uses


The Ultimate Horse Riding Tool Is Your Mind


these as filters to make sense of every aspect of your day. Imagine being able to increase your


confidence, reduce show day nerves, im- prove ability to remember tests/patterns, improve focus, overcome mental blocks, stop fears, anxiety and panic attacks, change bad habits, and let go of negative emotions from past traumas. Hypnosis is an effective method that can improve your riding performance by increasing mental focus, and releasing negative thoughts and emotions. When you maintain focus and


awareness you’re able to be more in tune with your horse’s behaviour. That allows you to respond appropriately and defuse potential problems rather than being tense and reactive which makes situa- tions worse. This level of mental and emotional


acuity is the difference between calm, confident riders and anxious, fearful ones.


Having a negative mindset creates horse.


a cycle of negativity. Things are more likely to go wrong and, when they do, it reinforces the fear or self-doubt which feeds into more negative thinking and emotions. Your brain is simply trying to protect you, but is doing it in an over-re- active way and causing you unnecessary stress.


Whether you work with a trained


hypnotist or practice self-hypnosis, you can learn how to take control of your thoughts and emotions by changing your thinking patterns, resetting your emo- tions and self-talk, and retraining your mind and body to recognise the differ- ence between real and imagined stress. Through hypnosis, you learns how


to effectively use visualisation, breath- ing exercises, and relaxation to develop a resilient mindset that changes fear into courage. With a calm mind comes a calm body that allows true connection and clear communication with your


Author Bio: Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Confidence Coach, shares advice and tips for horse riding women of a certain age. From managing riding nerves and anxiety, understanding your horse's behaviour, building a deeper partnership with your horse, and more. Whether you're a lifelong horse rider, just coming back to riding after time off, or just starting out, learn more at www.rideconfident.com


Whether you ride for pleasure,


competition, or therapy, your success, enjoyment, and quality of the relation- ship you have with your horse depends on the power of your mind. By harness- ing the power of your mind, you can un- lock the true potential of yourself and your horse.


The Jockey Club of Canada Announces New Industry Award The Jockey Club of Canada is


proud to announce a new industry award which will be presented for the first time at the upcoming 49th annual Sovereign Awards ceremony. The Outstanding Off-track Worker Award is a national award open to those who hold a paid position at an off-track Thoroughbred racing, training, board- ing, breeding, sales, or aftercare farm/facility in Canada.


R. Glenn Sikura, Chief Steward


of The Jockey Club of Canada, notes “Success at the highest level in thor- oughbred breeding and racing is the result of a team effort centered on the best interests of the horse. This team effort includes the work of off-track workers and starts even before foaling. These dedicated professionals offer diligent and tireless care for our equine athletes and are rarely, if ever,


in the spotlight. We’re proud at the Jockey Club of Canada to provide a significant opportunity to recognize these individuals for the work they do by inaugurating this national award for the Outstanding Off-track Worker. We look forward to submissions from across Canada for consideration by the selection committee.” Nominations for the Outstanding


Off-track Worker Award can be sub- mitted online at the Jockey Club of Canada website, https://jockey- clubcanada.com/sovereign- awa r d s / n omi n a t i o n s - a n d - submissions/ until Sunday, De- cember 17, 2023. Alternatively, you may email


jockeyclub-


canada@gmail.com or phone (416) 675-7756 to have a nomina- tion form sent to you. Nominations are now also open


Ride More, Worry Less And Enjoy Every Ride! Let’s get you feeling more confident today!


519-940-6050 • anne@confidenthorsemanship.com www.rideconfident.com


LongRun’s TB Star of February


Cheeky Pint is a super sweet, 7 yr old mare looking for her forever home!


Sound and athletic, this tiny, 'pint sized' mare would be great for a smaller adult or possibly a confident young


rider. She could go in pretty much any direction and is flashy enough for a show


ring! If you’re interested in meeting Cheeky Pint, please contact LongRun!


Lemigo Horse Boot


• Ultra light • 100% waterproof • Stays flexible to -30°C • Ideal for wet and cold winter days at the stable


Call (416) 675-3993 ext 3440 www.longrunretirement.com • info@longrunretirement.com $95.00


for the Outstanding Groom Award which is available to on-track grooms based in Ontario. You can nominate a deserving groom at the Jockey Club of Canada website, https://jockeyclubcanada.com/sov- ereign-awards/nominations-and-


submissions/ until Sunday, December 17, 2023. Forms will also be available for pick-up at the AGCO office and Woodbine Race Office. Alternatively, you may email jockeyclubcanada@ gmail.com or phone (416) 675-7756 to have a nomina- tion form sent to you. The Jockey Club of


Canada will host the 49th annual Sovereign Awards ceremony


to honour


Alan Chesler Continued from page 25


the phone calls and find the sponsors. He wasn’t just there for the days when you were handing out the rib- bons, he was there on a day- to-day basis helping make the sport better. He was en- thusiastic and a kind and generous soul. Everyone saw his vision and wanted to be involved. “He enjoyed people


and horse people. He was a good friend to the sport, and to a lot of people.”


Canada’s champions of 2023 at an exciting new venue,


Paramount


Eventspace, located at 222 Rowntree Dairy Road, Woodbridge, Ontario. The celebration will


take place Thursday, April 18, 2024. Tickets to the 49th annual Sovereign Awards ceremony are $250 each, with tables of ten dis- counted to $2,000. Early- bird tickets are also


Jennifer Ward of Start-


ing Gate Communications remarked, “He loved the sport almost more than any other person I have ever met. Even as an older com- petitor competing in the “Masters” division, his bal- ance and sense of feel was still incredible. Outside of the ring, he was a fierce poker player and loved to golf, in addition to being de- voted to his family and res- cue dogs. A kind and generous man. Truly one of a kind.” Alan is survived by his


spouse Sherry Chesler; their daughters Robin Chesler,


Bobcaygeon British Shop Ltd.


3 King Street East, Bobcaygeon, ON 705-738-1956


www.bobcaygeonbritishshop.ca Call or visit website for store hours


Specializing in British made waxed jackets, top quality


wool sweaters, hats, British countrywear and more.


available for a discounted price of $225 until March 18, 2024. Tickets will be avail-


able for purchase online at https://jockeyclubcanada.co m/online-payments/. Pro- gram advertisement space, sponsorships, and tickets can also be purchased by contacting The Jockey Club of Canada at (416) 675- 7756 or by emailing jockey- clubcanada@gmail.com.


Frankie Chesler and Mikala (Marshall) Van Arnhem; and their son Andrew (Ellen) Chesler and four grandchildren. The family asks that contributions in Alan’s memory be made to a charity of your choice; a Celebration of Life will be held January 22nd at Wellington National Golf Club in Wellington, FL.


Story Written and Courtesy of Horse Sport staff | Janu- ary 5, 2024 - https://horses- port.com/


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