Watching those at the top of the equestrian game is not only inspiring, but can actually improve your own performance, whatever your level, and it’s proven by science.
In 1961, a psychologist called Albert Bandura conducted an experiment to prove his hypothesis that people learn not only by direct instruction or repetition, but also by observing others. He proved that we can learn new behaviours and skills simply by watching someone else perform them – a theory that has become foundational to modern sports psychology.
So how can watching other people ride their horses help your own performance? There are more ways than you might expect…
- Helps improve technique
- You have an idea of what a good position looks like, but every time you watch an elite athlete ride in a way that allows their aids to be effective, that model of the correct technique is reiterated. After watching lots of professional riding, you build a strong mental picture of what effective riding looks like, making it much easier to replicate yourself. If you have mirrors in your arena, or are able to video record your own sessions, you can start to compare and finesse your own technique. But don’t be too hard on yourself – it takes years of practice to be able to ride like a professional!
- Develops autonomous decision-making skills
- That feel for when to ride a certain line, when to half-halt or when to change the plan entirely isn’t developed overnight – it takes hundreds of experiences of riding through various scenarios to find out what works best. Nothing can replicate these lived experiences, but watching those who have experience adapt under pressure and solve problems may give you new ideas, or cement ideas you already had. Next time you find things aren’t going to plan, remember what you saw, and have confidence in your ability to adapt.
- Builds confidence
- The more you see successful rounds, the less space those negative thoughts occupy in your mind – they’re gradually replaced with the firm belief that your round is going to be successful too. This is especially true if you’ve been watching a rider you can relate to – spending time watching your peers achieve their goals is actually an investment into the transformation of your own mindset.
- Facilitates mental rehearsal
- It’s well established that mentally running through your plan and visualising it going really well is likely to improve performance on the day; this mental rehearsal actually activates many of the same neural pathways as physically practicing. Watching it go well for other people will make this mental image clearer, and help you know exactly what to visualise. Shut your eyes and imagine yourself having the best ride of your life, and next time you’re on your horse, it just might happen!
- Up your game
- After just a few hours of watching the professionals, before you know it, your standards will be higher and lazy riding will really stand out to you. Your eye will see subtle details that others miss, and it’s this nuanced knowledge you can take forwards into your own riding to really make every movement matter.
Watch with intent – choose something to focus on as you watch a rider you admire or can relate to and then aim to apply what you saw when you’re next riding. And it’s not just their time in the ring that’s worth observing – if you get a chance to watch a top rider warm up, take it, as the warm up is where the most work happens.
So if you’re not able to spend as many hours in the saddle as you’d like, here’s some good news: you can become a better rider just by watching others.
With hundreds of streams of events across all disciplines available to watch live or on-demand on H&C+, there’s no excuse not to be working towards smashing your goals next season!