Show nerves/jitters

Golden Beauties · 07-26-2008, 09:03 AM

When I'm at a show, I'm perfectly fine after my first class of the day. But while I'm waiting for that first class, my chest gets really tight and I keep thinking to myself "what if I mess up?" or "what if the judge thinks poorly of me?". I make my poor horse upset and I can get very snappy. What do you all do to help show nerves?

Sirita_88 · 07-29-2008, 08:52 AM

I was once told to tense up really tight right before you show. Be as tense as you can for as long as you can. Then right before you go in let it all out. I dunno if it works, but it sounds like it might.

**gbarmranch** · 07-29-2008, 09:32 AM

I used to throw up...

Felt fine afterwards..

So I am probably not much help...

pasopony · 07-29-2008, 09:54 AM

Just think of everything that can go wrong. Really the worse thing that can happen is you don't place. Oh well. Just look at it like that. Who cares if you place or not? Not your horse. So just go in looking for a nice relaxing ride and envision it. The more you mentally picture yourself relaxing, the more relaxed you will be and the more relaxed your horse will be too. A little bit of jitters is entirely normal and helps you be a little more on your game, too much jitters and it will ruin your ride. Take some deep breaths and if possible do some warm-up riding around the grounds.

Also, try and stay away from caffeine and sugary foods before you show. It helps to eat slow digesting complex carbohydrates.

barnmom · 07-29-2008, 11:14 AM

My Nicole used to be really bad, throwing up and all, now she still gets nervous but typically only for showmanship, she does not breathe throughout her entire pattern, as the patterns get longer I hope she gets over it or she'll probably pass out! LOL

She's fine for the riding classes, it's just the showmanship,oh yeah and sometimes for the horsemanship, I guess the patterns freak her out.

I tell her to sing a song to herself. She does that when she gets nervous doing something new undersaddle.

raidergirl · 07-29-2008, 03:40 PM

Slam a beer!! JK!! I just try to breathe slowly.. Inhale through my nose exhale through the mouth... And, just like pasopony said, what's the worst that can happen? you don't place.. OH, well!

I've had plenty of nice rides, showmanship patterns, etc and gotten the gate! Just go in thinking it's all for fun.

ChasnCans · 07-29-2008, 03:42 PM

^
funny post

2manypets · 07-29-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

I used to throw up...

Felt fine afterwards..

So I am probably not much help...

i did too!!! we would have to pull over a couple of times on the way to the shows so i could barf, lol! i was worried that i would do something and make Geena look bad.

it just made me so queasy... it still does, cause now i show dogs. i get that same queasy stomach

it's just easier now to pull over without the horse trailer hooked to the truck

JoesLove · 07-29-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raidergirl

Slam a beer!! JK!! I just try to breathe slowly.. Inhale through my nose exhale through the mouth... And, just like pasopony said, what's the worst that can happen? you don't place.. OH, well!

I've had plenty of nice rides, showmanship patterns, etc and gotten the gate! Just go in thinking it's all for fun.

hahaha slam a beer..thats hilarious.

DoBeSassy · 07-29-2008, 04:44 PM

Take a muscle relaxer or two, take enough of them and you can't get a tight chest no matter what

ahlihaff · 07-31-2008, 09:42 AM

Whenever I get very uptight about ANYthing, I analyze what would the worst case scenario be. I usually realize it's not the end of the world. I intentionally force myself to relax - a few deep breaths often helps.

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07-26-2008, 09:03 AM
Golden Beauties Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 47	Show nerves/jitters When I'm at a show, I'm perfectly fine after my first class of the day. But while I'm waiting for that first class, my chest gets really tight and I keep thinking to myself "what if I mess up?" or "what if the judge thinks poorly of me?". I make my poor horse upset and I can get very snappy. What do you all do to help show nerves?

07-29-2008, 08:52 AM
Sirita_88 Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 1,296	I was once told to tense up really tight right before you show. Be as tense as you can for as long as you can. Then right before you go in let it all out. I dunno if it works, but it sounds like it might. __________________ Paradise Performance Horses. http://www.freewebs.com/paradiseperformance/index.htm

07-29-2008, 09:32 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,234	I used to throw up... Felt fine afterwards.. So I am probably not much help... __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

07-29-2008, 09:54 AM
pasopony Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 821	Just think of everything that can go wrong. Really the worse thing that can happen is you don't place. Oh well. Just look at it like that. Who cares if you place or not? Not your horse. So just go in looking for a nice relaxing ride and envision it. The more you mentally picture yourself relaxing, the more relaxed you will be and the more relaxed your horse will be too. A little bit of jitters is entirely normal and helps you be a little more on your game, too much jitters and it will ruin your ride. Take some deep breaths and if possible do some warm-up riding around the grounds. Also, try and stay away from caffeine and sugary foods before you show. It helps to eat slow digesting complex carbohydrates. __________________ Horses are not my whole life, but horses make my life whole.

07-29-2008, 11:14 AM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,848	My Nicole used to be really bad, throwing up and all, now she still gets nervous but typically only for showmanship, she does not breathe throughout her entire pattern, as the patterns get longer I hope she gets over it or she'll probably pass out! LOL She's fine for the riding classes, it's just the showmanship,oh yeah and sometimes for the horsemanship, I guess the patterns freak her out. I tell her to sing a song to herself. She does that when she gets nervous doing something new undersaddle. __________________ Remember to thank the horses for the happiness and joy we experience through them! It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!

07-29-2008, 03:40 PM
raidergirl Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 278	Slam a beer!! JK!! I just try to breathe slowly.. Inhale through my nose exhale through the mouth... And, just like pasopony said, what's the worst that can happen? you don't place.. OH, well! I've had plenty of nice rides, showmanship patterns, etc and gotten the gate! Just go in thinking it's all for fun.

07-29-2008, 03:42 PM
ChasnCans Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KS Posts: 1,561	^ funny post __________________ In memory of baby Mayln Marie Loyd. I love and miss you! (Aug 13th-Oct 29th)While he may knock over a barrel he will never break my heart

07-29-2008, 04:44 PM
DoBeSassy Seasoned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 4,967	Take a muscle relaxer or two, take enough of them and you can't get a tight chest no matter what __________________ There is none so blind as she who will not see

07-31-2008, 09:42 AM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,635	Whenever I get very uptight about ANYthing, I analyze what would the worst case scenario be. I usually realize it's not the end of the world. I intentionally force myself to relax - a few deep breaths often helps.