#206 Why Do I Ride Better at Home Than I Do at Shows?

#206 Why Do I Ride Better at Home Than I Do at Shows?

From Resilient Reiner by Nicole Burnett

April 28, 2026 · 26 min · Season 1 · Episode 206

About this episode

This episode explores why riders often perform better at home than at horse shows, focusing on the impact of pressure and mental state.

Hot take: If you ride worse at horse shows than you do at home… It's probably not a training problem. And I know—that’s not what most people want to hear. Because it’s way easier to go home, work your horse harder, fix the spins, clean up the circles, and tell yourself you just need more reps. But here’s what I see all the time as a mental coach for western riders: You can school your horse at home and feel confident. You can lope off, hit your marks, stay with the feel, and ride like you know how to ride. Then you walk into the show pen… and suddenly everything feels just a little off. Not terrible. Just enough to cost you the run. And that’s the part that messes with riders the most. Because it doesn’t feel like a total breakdown. It feels like you’re almost yourself—but not quite. In this episode, I’m breaking down why that happens, what pressure is actually doing to your riding, and why this gap between home and the show pen has nothing to do with whether you’re good enough. If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your…

People in this episode

Host: Nicole Burnett

Topics covered

  • riding performance
  • mental coaching
  • pressure in sports
  • confidence
  • horse shows

Keywords

  • horse riding
  • mental coaching
  • performance anxiety
  • confidence in riding
  • show pen
  • training
  • western riding

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