#196 Horse Show Nerves — Why “Just Stay Positive” Doesn’t Work

#196 Horse Show Nerves — Why “Just Stay Positive” Doesn’t Work

From Resilient Reiner by Nicole Burnett

January 28, 2026 · 17 min · Season 1 · Episode 196

About this episode

Nicole Burnett discusses why the advice to 'just stay positive' fails to address the real issues behind horse show nerves and offers insights on managing anxiety effectively.

There’s always that one moment in the warmup pen where well meaning folks just can’t keep their mouth shut with (unwanted) advice. “Breathe.” “Stay positive.” “Don’t think about it.” And you’re nodding like, yes, thank you , while your brain is absolutely not receiving the message. That’s what we’re talking about today. Because if “just stay positive” actually worked, horse show nerves wouldn’t be such a universal experience. And yet here we are — capable riders, good horses, solid preparation… still dealing with show day anxiety that feels bigger than logic. In this episode, I’m breaking down why that advice misses the mark, what’s really happening in your nervous system when pressure hits, and how to work with your brain instead of trying to pep-talk it into silence. This is about riding effectively under pressure — not pretending you feel calm when you don’t. If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I’m genuinely curious to hear what shifted for you. And if you haven’t already, leaving a review on iTunes helps other riders dealing with…

People in this episode

Host: Nicole Burnett

Topics covered

  • horse show nerves
  • anxiety management
  • toxic positivity
  • nervous system
  • performance under pressure

Keywords

  • horse show
  • nerves
  • anxiety
  • positive thinking
  • performance
  • warmup pen
  • nervous system
  • toxic positivity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Instagram

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