#197 3 Mental Hacks Every Western Rider Should Know to Perform at Their Best

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There’s a moment I see over and over again at horse shows.

A rider lopes in looking sharp… then within the first few maneuvers, something subtle changes.

Hands get busy.

Timing gets rushed.

The horse starts guessing.

WTF happened? Pressure quietly hijacked access to everything they do know.

This episode is about the three mental leverage points that decide whether your riding shows up when it counts — or stays trapped in the stall back home. These aren’t hypey mindset tricks or “just believe harder” advice. They’re the skills elite riders are actually training (whether they realize it or not) to stay effective when adrenaline hits.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can I ride this so well at home but not in the pen?” — this one’s for you.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community. I’m genuinely curious to hear what landed for you and what shifted after listening.

And if you haven’t yet, leaving a review on iTunes helps other riders find the show — it means more than you know.

🎧 In This Episode You Will Learn:

Why focus isn’t about “trying harder” — and how pressure quietly pulls your attention out of the ride
The difference between riding from hope vs. riding from identity
Why confidence feels inconsistent for skilled riders (and how to stabilize it)
What actually happens in your body when adrenaline shows up
Why “calm” isn’t the goal — and what is
How nervous system regulation protects your timing, feel, and decision-making
The three mental skills that give you access to your real riding under pressure

❓ Questions I Answer:

Why do I feel solid at home but fall apart in the show pen?
Why does pressure make my cues rushed or my hands stiff?
Why doesn’t positive self-talk work when I’m nervous?
What causes confidence to disappear even when I know I can ride?
How do elite riders stay steady without forcing calm?
Why does my horse feel different when I’m anxious?
How do I stop over-managing myself mid-run? (Aka how the hell do you calm tf down?)

Links & Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor
Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.
👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/
🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy
The confidence to win so you ride like you belong.
👉 https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy
🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians
Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.
👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/
🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips
Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.
👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/