John P Haime, Author at Horse Network

Step Back to Move Forward

The title of this article is out of character for me. Rarely will I ever suggest to someone who wants to achieve something in performance to step back and slow...

3 Ways to Improve Your Show Ring Performance from the Comfort of Your Couch

Question: My show season is cancelled indefinitely. What can I do at home now to work on my mental game, so I come out swinging like Beezie Madden circa 2014...

Q&A: How Can I Get My Show Nerves Under Control?

Question: “I'm a lifelong rider and have been competing since I was a child. I've always struggled with paralyzing nerves on show day — even after decades of competing. It's so...

The Confidence Crisis in Equestrian Sport

If you are an equestrian athlete, you know that confidence is your secret weapon. There is no sweeter feeling than knowing that, no matter what the situation or degree of...

OMG, Did You Hear…?!

I was recently at a summer show and talking to a very experienced coach who asked me if I could do a session at the barn for her riders. “The...

From the Boardroom to the Barn

I was recently working with a C-suite professional on developing a number of performance and leadership pieces and made the comment to her that these ideas could be directly transferable...

Good Decisions Begin with Strong Values

Last Wednesday, two-time Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) opted out of his first championship in over a decade when he withdrew his mount Contagious from the Pan American...

6 Reasons to Embrace Your Riding Mistakes

To err is human. So is stopping out in the triple and ploughing past the halt at X. If you ride horses (or participate in any sport, for that matter),...

Your Comfort Zone Is Limiting Your Riding

As the minutes spent in the saddle tick by, we all get trapped in repeating habits. What equestrians may not know about these repeating habits is that 1) they often don’t...

Own the Moment in 2019

As we wind down to the end of 2018, we start looking forward to what might be possible for us in 2019. Will it be my best year ever with...

The X Factor in Equestrian Coaching

Coaching is one of the most rewarding professions; being able to influence others with your expertise and see them grow. But, it is also one of the most difficult; understanding...

5 Mental/Emotional Keys to Make the Most of Your Final Shows of the Season

As the summer season closes, riders around the world are getting ready for the final shows and qualifiers for the season. The Royal, Washington International, equitation finals, World Cup qualifiers...

Do You Ride Big or Ride Small? The Choice Is Yours!

No, this article isn’t about riding a small pony or a big bay, it’s about helping you see how you have a choice in choosing how you will ride and...

5 Common Mistakes that Could Be Holding You Back in the Show Ring (and How to Fix Them!)

I had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Wellington circuit this winter to work with our Grand Prix clients, up and comers, and riders just trying to better enjoy their...

Try Less and Trust More for Better Results in 2018

Overthinking in equestrian competition causes problems. Too many thoughts demonstrate a lack of trust and lead to hesitation, confusion and uncertainty in your abilities in the show ring. I’d like...

Reflect and Learn – Making 2018 Your Best Riding Year Ever

When was the last time you slowed down enough to think about what you accomplished in the previous year, how you did, what might need to be changed for next...

7 Ways to Conquer Your Riding Fears

“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.” — Yoda The wisdom of that master Jedi also applies to riding—identifying your fears is the first step toward conquering...

Build Focus for Better Results in the Ring

Focus! How many times have you heard that from someone at the side of the ring while you are competing? I know I hear it often as parents and coaches...

Excellence, Not Perfection for Equestrian Growth

Being around the barn, I hear the word “perfect” a lot. And that is always cause for some concern. Too often, riders try to be "perfect" when they perform. These...

6 Myths You May Still Believe About Sport Psychology (That Are Holding Your Riding Back)

Knowledge is power! Myth #1: There is something wrong with me if I need to work on mental/emotional skills in my sport. Fact: Mental and emotional high performance development in sport...

Author Archives: John P Haime