Interviews

End of the Year Questions and Answers 2009

31/12/2009

End of the Year Questions

Now that the end of the year is rapidly approaching, Eurodressage asked several international riders, judges and journalists to review their year briefly and highlight what they considered the most important evolutions and happenings in their personal and professional life.

Sport Psychology: Facing Jumps

14/12/2009

Sport Psychology for Dressage Riders

Question:I am a competent dressage rider, but I must pass a jumping test to proceed with my instructor training. I had a very bad experience when first introduced to jumping. Now I freeze up, go blank, and forget my course every time. Help!

Alexandra Duncan Finding Her Stride in Sweden

12/11/2009

Young Guns in Dressage

Canadia Young Rider Alexandra Duncan has been the best performing North American Young Rider ever at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Finals in Frankfurt. This Canadian pair shocked European competitors by beating almost all of them and finishing fourth with her Holsteiner mare Elektra at the 2006 Young Rider World Cup Final.

Sport Psychology: Responsible Coaching

03/11/2009

Sport Psychology for Dressage Riders

Question:My coach often pushes me really hard. Sometimes it is helpful in taking me to a new level, but more often I end up feeling afraid and inadequate. Recently this pushing resulted in an accident that left me with multiple broken bones. Do I need to learn to ride better, or do I need a new trainer?

Sport Psychology: Five Ways to Stay in Focus

07/09/2009

Sport Psychology for Dressage Riders

In an earlier article I discussed aspects of the personality that can make the focus of competition challenging. Distraction, over thinking, and going blank can all have a dramatic effect on a competitive performance. Yet even when you have mastered your individual personality issues, there are many other ways our performance can be disrupted.

Sport Psychology: How to Beat Your Toughest Competitor

26/07/2009

Sport Psychology for Dressage Riders

We all have a nemesis, a really tough competitor who always seems to come out on top despite our best efforts. This person is often at a similar skill level, in fact, you might even believe your own skills to be superior. Yet somehow your opponent always seem to get the nod from the judges, while you get snubbed. This can be discouraging and demoralizing, yet there are several