Experienced riders with lapses in confidence

[HORSE Mag]

Following the below post about 'What makes a good rider?', is there anyone on here who is an experienced rider and regular competitor who suffers from doubts about their abilities or regular lapses in confidence?

Would love to hear from you - please email victoria_spicer@ipcmedia.com

Thanks

[HORSE Mag]

The 'good rider' post is here:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/sh...0&fpart=all

[gaelann]

You bet ya

I am 40 this year always jumped pc /rc but only started BSJA 2 years ago

We got the mare I have now for the sole purpose of getting me jumping BSJA courses - that did not go to plan
The mare is a tad difficult and hormonal but we get on ok and then we had a disagreement in striding and off to hospital I went
I have always ridden stroppy difficult horses with no real issues but sometimes if I ride them too often I freeze and self doubt I can stay on
I have been riding a big young horse I borrowed whilst mine was in foal and he did me wonderful things for my confidence as I had to sit and kick on for every jump (my mare you have to be very quiet, which I am not that good at)
Now my mare is back on the fitness track (weather permitting) I am busy trying to organise mini shows and lessons to make sure we get it right this time and together as a hormonious pair

[jules9203]

Oh yes. Am now in my early 40's but have struggled with my confidence jumping since I was baout 25. Unless I jump a couple of times a week a small cross pole will terrify me. Yet if I'm doing it regularly I can do a course of 3'6 relatively happily. I just have to push myself - its amazing the excuses I can find not to jump some days !