You’ve qualified – now make the most of it! Our HorseQuest ambassadors share their top tips for success

Qualifying for the British Dressage National Championships is a fantastic achievement – but when competition day arrives, it can be difficult to stop nerves and the pressure of the occasion from taking over.

Ahead of the Championships, HorseQuest ambassadors Andrew Gould, Lucinda Elliott and Michael Eilberg share their advice for staying focused, preparing confidently and producing your best possible performance.

Andrew Gould: Stay focused in the warm-up

“The warm-up is where a competition can be won or lost,” says Andrew. “It’s so important to stay focused and not be influenced by who is watching – particularly at the lower levels, where riders can become distracted or nervous when they see certain people standing at the side of the arena.

“This is the time to blank everyone else out and concentrate on what you’re doing with your horse.”

Remember that your warm-up is there to prepare you and your horse for the test ahead. Stick to what you know works for your partnership, focus on how your horse feels and try not to be drawn into watching what everyone else is doing.

Lucinda Elliott: Plan ahead and give yourself time

If it’s your first visit to the Nationals, Lucinda’s biggest piece of advice is to plan your day carefully.

“It’s easy to underestimate how long everything takes when you’re somewhere new and there’s so much going on,” she explains. “I would always allow an extra five or ten minutes between getting on your horse and making your way over to the arena.

“That little bit of extra time can make such a difference. You can arrive calmly, give yourself and your horse a moment to settle, and avoid feeling flustered before you go in.”

Work backwards from your test time and include plenty of time for getting ready, tacking up, warming up and reaching the arena. A few spare minutes are far better than finding yourself rushing at the last moment.

Find a reliable way to learn your test

Championship nerves can affect even the most experienced riders, so make sure you have a method of learning your test that works for you.

“Visualisation is a great tool,” says Lucinda. “Run through the test in your head and picture exactly where you’re going and which movement comes next. It’s also useful to have a copy of your test to hand for those last-minute checks before you get on.”

You might prefer to draw the test, walk it on foot or talk it through with someone else. Whichever method you use, learn it thoroughly enough that you can rely on it even when the nerves set in.

Familiarise yourself with the surroundings

A championship arena can look and feel very different from the venues your horse usually visits. Banners, flowers, speakers, marquees and busy entrances can all add to the atmosphere.

Lucinda recommends taking the opportunity to look around beforehand and identify anything your horse might find distracting.

“If you know what’s there, you can prepare for it rather than being caught out when you enter the arena,” she says.

You may not be able to expose your horse to everything in advance, but knowing what to expect will help you ride more positively and confidently.

Michael Eilberg: Keep your preparation familiar

For Michael, championship preparation shouldn’t mean completely changing the routine that earned your qualification in the first place.

“My advice would be to try to keep everything as normal as possible,” he says. “Obviously, it’s a big occasion and there may be more atmosphere, but try to treat it like any other competition.

“Stick to the routine you know, do what normally works for you and your horse, and don’t suddenly change your preparation just because it’s a championship.”

It can be tempting to do more in the warm-up, try something new or chase a different feeling because the occasion feels important. Instead, trust the preparation that got you there and concentrate on producing the best test you can with the horse you have on the day.

Michael also stresses the importance of keeping the result in perspective. A championship test is one performance on one day; focus on riding accurately, responding to your horse and making the most of the experience.

Don’t forget to enjoy it

Finally, take a moment to appreciate what you and your horse have already achieved.

“You’ve worked so hard to get there,” says Lucinda. “Take the time to turn yourself and your horse out to perfection and be really proud of qualifying. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself – soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the experience and make some amazing memories.”

From everyone at HorseQuest, we wish all combinations heading to the British Dressage National Championships the very best of luck.