The Hidden Triggers Behind Riding Confidence (And How to Reset Them)
About this episode
This episode discusses the concept of anchors in riding and how they affect confidence and anxiety.
In this episode of Over the Oxer, I'm talking about something you’re already using - whether you realise it or not. Anchors. In NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), an anchor is the link your brain creates between a stimulus and an emotional state. The sound of the competition bell. Walking into the warm-up arena. Even putting your boots on. Some anchors build confidence.Some trigger anxiety.And most of them were created accidentally. In this episode, I explain: – What anchors actually are in everyday life– How riders unconsciously move from anchor to anchor throughout the day– Why certain places, sounds or situations trigger nerves– How strong emotional moments create lasting mental patterns– And how you can deliberately install positive anchors that hold under pressure This isn’t about positive thinking. It’s about understanding how your nervous system naturally conditions responses — and learning how to work with it instead of against it. If you’ve ever wondered why you can feel calm one minute and tense the next, this episode will make it clear. ⚓️ And if you’d like to go deeper into installing anchors that genuinely shift your riding mindset, I also share details about my…
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- Understanding Horse Behaviour and Rider Mindset with Nadia Hernandez: Build Confidence and Partnership
- Chatting with Alex Fleming: Training Your Brain for Confidence
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