Bodyzone

CONFIDENCE CAN BE ELUSIVE. THIS STATE OF SELF-BELIEF TENDS TO EMERGE WHEN WE’RE FEELING HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL, ONLY TO DESERT US WHEN WE NEED IT MOST. ANDREA OAKES BEGINS A NEW SERIES ON IMPROVING THE BODY’S PERFORMANCE WITH THAT MOST COMPLEX OF ORGANS, THE BRAIN.

We can take control of our confidence according to e uestrian performance coach andie obertson. e can master our mental approach rather than succumbing to competition nerves or spiralling into uncertainty when things don’t go as planned. hether you need a uick refresher course or a total reboot after a challenging year a good starting point is to consider what confident riders have in common. It turns out that positive people THERE’S NO

REASON WHY

YOU SHOULDN’T

GET THE SAME

PERFORMANCE IN THE ARENA AS YOU

DO IN TRAINING

… KEEP PERSPECTIVE

confidence crisis can affect an lympian as readily as those on their way up the dressage ladder according to andie.

“ s the stakes get higher the pressure gets more not less she says. “ obody is immune to being e cited or deflated. hat’s different is that the confident rider has more perspective and is better able to regard the inevitable lows the lamenesses the lockdowns and other hiccups as part of the ourney.

… FOCUS ON THE GOOD

“ valuating performance is essential to progress says andie. “ onfident riders look back and see what went well asking themselves hat can I learn ’ rather than beating themselves up with the negatives. his simple shift of focus has surprising mindset-boosting potential.

“ onsider the whole process from the show lead-up to the warm-up and the test itself to evaluate the good and bad adds andie. “ hen see what you can do to turn things around.

… SET ATTAINABLE TARGETS

“ our horse doesn’t need to move like alegro to be more than good enough says andie who advises an honest approach to goalsetting. “It’s important to identify the level you’re at and crucially to let yourself live up to that reality. Many of us pretend that we don’t e pect to do well but confidence comes from setting attainable targets and admitting to yourself that you can succeed.

… AVOID COMPARISON

hen si ing up the competition confident people give themselves a fair chance.

“ here’s no point comparing yourself to others in different categories says andie who cautions against udging yourself too harshly at events or on social media.

… FACE THEIR FEARS

“ few nerves are natural but successful riders don’t let this become a negative narrative’ says andie. “ hey may hear the voice of doubt in their head on occasion but they’ve learned to acknowledge these thoughts and to keep them in check. ur subconscious mind has no logic and will believe everything we put in it andie e plains. o banish damaging self-talk we must first realise our fears and then decide whether they are genuine or made up.

“If they’re irrational don’t spend time indulging them and making them feel a reality she says.

… NAIL THE PREPARATION

“ confi dent person knows that the groundwork is done says andie. “ ou can’t e pect to do well without preparation it’s the key to success.

“Be sure that everything is ready rather than turning up on a wing and a prayer. icking all the bo es by doing your homework for e ample and packing the lorry with care will contribute to a positive mindset.

… KNOW THEIR HORSE

“ onfi dence comes from understanding a horse and realising how he will be aff ected by e ternal impacts such the ourney the weather and the warm-up she adds. “He’s your best friend and half of the partnership. reat him as an individual and invest time in getting to know what makes him tick.

… SET THE SCENE

“ here’s no reason why you shouldn’t get the same performance in the arena as you do in training andie e plains. “ op riders learn to control their breathing at home and in competition so that wherever they are in the world they can generate calm energy rather than high-pitched an iety. By breathing and keeping things such as tack and pre-test routines consistent they create a situation where the horse says this is familiar’. andie suggests practising positive visualisation so that you know the test will go well. nd if you do free e in the big moment

“ sk yourself if you notice three things about the arena she advises. “Becoming aware of a feeling or a sound can re-focus your mind. ome riders use a mantra or a sentence something that means I’m ready’.

… ENJOY THE LIMELIGHT

“It’s ama ing how many people are more scared of success than failure says andie. “ hile confi dent riders dream of the positives it’s not uncommon to secretly dread doing well.

“ emoving yourself from the e uation can help. ou know how good your horse is so concentrate on showing him off to the world.

… REWARD THEMSELVES

“ ressage is a natural focus for perfectionists but don’t be afraid to reward yourself andie says. “ he scoresheet may say eight but give yourself a if you feel it’s deserved. mbrace the positives and be proud of what went well.

“If things don’t go to plan remind yourself that you’re doing this because you love it she adds. “ ometimes it’s ust not your day. here’s a diff erence between making e cuses and recognising that the pressures of life can aff ect your performance.

“Confi dence is not just about keeping your cool in competition,” says international rider and coach Charlie Hutton, who has worked with Sandie to develop a winning mindset. “It can also mean having the courage to say ‘no’.”

“I’m a competitive person, so I have to be careful not to place too many expectations on myself and my horses,” says Charlie, explaining that he also has to juggle many hats to manage owners, clients and sponsors. “There are times when it doesn’t feel right to go out and compete; perhaps the horse is not quite ready at that level, or he doesn’t feel 100% in himself. However diffi cult it is to admit it to myself, and however disappointing it may be for the horse’s connections, I’ve learned that it’s important to have the integrity and self-belief to say ‘not today’.”

KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST NOTICES, NEWS AND VIEWS FROM BRITISH DRESSAGE AT BRITISHDRESSAGE.CO.UK

Rule changes and new rules are marked in bold in the new members’ handbook effective from 1 January 2021. Please visit the Competitions section of the BD website for the fully searchable online version.

BRONZE ELIGIBILTY TABLES

To be eligible to compete in the Bronze section; as well as not having won more than 25 points at the respective level, the rider (on any horse) and the horse (with any rider) must not have competed at the levels above.

QUEST COMPETITION

For 2021, the Quest qualifying season will run from 1 Jan – 31 Aug.

QUEST ELIGIBILTY TABLES

To be eligible to compete in My Quest or Team Quest; as well as not having won more than 15 points at the level above their respective level, the rider (on any horse) and the horse (with any rider) must not have competed at any levels higher than this.

PARA

Para riders with a large pocket badge are not permitted to compete in Area Festivals in any section. PRELIM GOLD

To qualify for a summer Regional Championship, combinations must earn 20 points, all from qualifiers, with a minimum of 66% (as per Silver in 2020).

PSG & INTER I SILVER QUALIFICATION

Qualification for the Regional Championships will be by achieving 6 points from qualifiers at a minimum of 66%.

MIDDLE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

To qualify for the Middle Tour Championship, combinations must achieve 3 points in Inter A/B/II classes in either the Silver or Gold section. Scores from qualifiers and non-qualifiers may be used including PYO.

TOP HATS

In line with the FEI, from 2021 riders will no longer be able to wear top hats in Advanced to Grand Prix classes. Protective hats must be worn at all times by anyone when mounted.

BREXIT Final information for transporting horses to Europe for competition, export and residency is still a work in progress. We now have a trade deal, have been awarded third country status and our studbooks are approved so things are progressing but the details and processes are being negotiated. Visit our Brexit information page in the BD Info section of www.britishdressage.co.uk but the advice is to avoid taking horses to the EU for the early part of the year where possible.

EXTREME WEATHER

During extreme weather conditions or other extreme situations, the judge at C may ring the bell for interruption of the test. The rider should return to complete their test when conditions permit. It is up to the rider whether to restart the test from the beginning or to commence from the point the weather or extreme conditions occurred. In either case, the marks already given to the point at which the test was stopped will not be changed.

EXTENSION TO GAINING PSG STATUS

Due to lockdown, it has been more challenging for riders to gain their eligibility to compete at Prix St Georges (PSG) level. In view of this, for one year there will be an extension of 3 months to the period during which riders can achieve their 62% in Advanced or YR level tests. Riders must now have achieved their qualifying score within the 15 months prior to competing at PSG for the first time, providing they have kept their membership throughout.

Why not use lockdown to get some competition practice using one of our four authorised providers: www.dressageanywhere.com, www.dressageonline.org, www.e-riders.co.uk, www.themaneshow.co.uk

If you wish to be included in the online ‘find a judge’ directory, please let us know by selecting the free ‘judge’s listing’ option through Bookwhen. Simply visit this page: bookwhen.com/ britishdressage/e/ ev-s0nm-20181115000000 and select Judge’s Listing to give your consent.

By completing this free booking, you consent to your information and contact details being displayed on the BD website for the viewing of organisers, venues, competitors and other members of the public. Please note that your full address will not be visible – only your county and region.

Allison Fellows (List 3) from Highland and Bridget Beresford-Wright (List 3) from East Sussex have retired from the Judges Panel. British Dressage would like to thank Allison and Bridget for all their hard work and support over the years and wishes them both all the best for the future.

Chairman: Jane Imbush 07739 644064 Coaching: Amy Blount 07773 228562 Rider training: Gemma Dainty 07780 705788 BD Youth: Contact RDO Judges: Richard Baldwin 07903 942498 Para: Caroline Unwin 07842 219043 Marketing: Contact RDO

Chairman: Lotte Olsen 01277 822525 Coaching: Tracy Wright 07951 570315 Rider training: Contact RDO BD Youth: Phillippa Coles 07860 215895 BD Youth (U12s): Jessica Brown 07852 282983 Judges: Jane Howard 07831 406406 Para: Joanne Dagley-Cleworth 07967 605566 Marketing: Katie Tysome 07772 571497

Chairman: Vikki Hayton 07860 276578 Coaching: Charlotte Wilson 07949 076141 Rider training: Sarah Farrand 07941 640148 BD Youth: Jess Griffi ths 07590 732896 Charlotte Clark 07868 344617 Judges: Helen Copeland 07877 306864 Para: Gillian Brown 07872 923456 Marketing: Sarah McClarron 07557 281360

Chairman: Tim Downes 07775 797484 Coaching: Jane Critchley 07966 865604 (South) Alison Calvert 07980 886004 (North) Rider training: Jackie Crombie 07816 216594 BD Youth: Sue Blackshaw 07528 570681 Judges: Denise Glanville 07966 303633 Brenda Pamplin 07415 203766 Para: Alison Ramseir 07809 456296 Marketing: Anna Tomlinson 07773 428176

Chairman: Caroline Paterson 07554 086211 Coaching: Jean Stephen 07718 315834 Rider training: Linda Thompson 07919 441039 BD Youth: Kerry Sutherland 07720 085248 Judges: Gillian Peters 07501 444132 Para: Johanne Picken 07507 270508 Marketing: Amelia Ratcliffe-Smith 07837 533506

Chairman: Mike Mullis 07706 940315 Coaching: Amanda Leaker 07980 309398 Rider training: Bethan Powell 07545 082247 Helen Hopewell 07971 490038 BD Youth: Kelly Bergheim 07792 735909 Megan Roberts 07807 053246 Judges: Dianne Breeze 07491 531953 Para: Tracy Ormrod 07973 616497 Marketing: Jen Smithson 07900 993223 Cethin Ravenhill 07974 900941 Quest: Lorry Davies 07940 449002

Chairman: Susie Cumine 07860 677977 Coaching: Nicky Du Plessis 07427 674610 Rider training: Nicky Du Plessis 07427 674610 BD Youth: Joanna Lees 07709 376470 Judges: Alicia Anderson 07778 898499 Para: Contact RDO Marketing: Sharon Stuart 07912 225700 Paula Holland 07748 666794

Chairman: Samantha Osborn 01428 656188 Coaching: Emma Butler 07843 585504 Rider training: Contact RDO BD Youth: Eve Fifer 07879 643047 Emma Mansfi eld 07748 902655 Judges: Yvonne Huber 07933 133132 Para: Joyce Wood 07949 035021 Marketing: Caroline Gibson 07795 035581 Sam Mabb 07971 871888

Important information: In view of the disruption to last year’s judge training and competition calendar, dispensation has been granted for fulfi lling CPD requirements as a judge. The exemption allows an extended period - until Spring 2021 – to attend CPD. We recognise the challenges around face-to-face CPD as a number of the regional seminars were cancelled, along with the cancellation of the 2020 Principles of Judging Seminar. As an alternative, you will be able to fulfi l your CPD requirements by attending two online Zoom judge training sessions at your current level. These are available to book via your regional Bookwhen page. We thank you for your continued understanding and support.

To apply to become a Trainee judge, visit britishdressage.co.uk/judging/how_to_become_a_judge. For judge training dates and further information on upcoming seminars and induction days, please see the BD website. Please note that the new exam policy is now in place, so any judges wishing to upgrade must have been at their current list for a minimum of one year before coming forward.

Please visit each region’s Bookwhen page for the latest dates and to book your place.

bookwhen.com/bdcentral

bookwhen.com/bdeast

bookwhen.com/bdsouthern

bookwhen.com/british-dressage-south-west

bookwhen.com/bd-wales

bookwhen.com/bdnorthwest

bookwhen.com/bdnorthern

bookwhen.com/bdscotland

Reminder: It’s a compulsory requirement for 2020 for all judges to attend two zoom sessions at their relevant list before Spring 2021.

All judge examinations that have been cancelled will be rescheduled in 2021 to accommodate candidates. Where possible, those booked onto cancelled dates will be offered priority booking for any rescheduled dates at their previously chosen venue.

For more information visit

training and to book:

All dates are subject to the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Please keep an eye on the British Dressage website and social media channels for the latest updates and arrangements. For the most current dates, please refer to the regional Bookwhen pages which can be found on each regional web page: britishdressage.co.uk/regions/

MEET CAROLINE IRONSIDE

In recent years, the MFS prefi x has become familiar on championship scoreboards across the UK. This is down to the vision and passion of Caroline Ironside who, alongside her husband Gordon, established MFS Studfarm (MorayFirth Sportshorse) – a family-run breeding operation which has helped put Scottish breeding on the map. Caroline, a DEFRA approved artifi cial inseminator, is also a Practice Manager at a medical centre. The stud, overlooking the Moray Firth in North East Scotland, is home to Caroline and Gordon, their 10-year-old daughter Abbie and border collies, Lucy and Lottie.

HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INVOLVED WITH HORSES?

I started at a riding school aged four, along with my sister. At 16 I purchased a foal my fi rst horse from my mum. I’ve trained horses ever since, although not ridden for a while due to lack of time.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

I was accepted to university for a degree in computer programming. However, as an impressionable teenager I reconsidered and went into hairdressing! I later worked in the oil industry before moving into the NHS. I’ve been Practice Manager for 17 years and love it. COVID has been hard for healthcare professionals. My weekly hours went from 30 to 50 at the start of the pandemic. PS I do still cut hair for family!

HOW DID YOUR INTEREST IN BREEDING COME ABOUT?

My mum, a school teacher, decided on a career break and took up the role of Stud Manager at Straloch Stud. They set up the British Bavarian Warmblood Association, which I was latterly a director of. Mum later set up on her own and we bred a handful of foals each year. For a while, I was Studbook Manager of Scottish Sports Horse.

WHAT LED YOU TO SETTING UP THE STUD?

It was through breeding that I met Gordon. He had a mare and happened to be driving past when he saw our stallion in the fi eld. Gordon then enquired about sending his mare to us. From here our relationship grew.

After marrying, we started breeding as a hobby. We headed to Holland, the VDL Stud. Here we purchased Royal Geneve. He went on to become licensed by British Bavarians and Scottish Sports Horse. Sadly we lost him to colic aged eight. We started to source mares and have improved year on year with what we are breeding.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR MARES, AND STALLION SELECTION.

We currently have 13 mares, all from performance pedigrees. We own the full sister to Vivaldi, half-sister to Desperados FRH and half-sister to Painted Black. We’ve several just starting in sport and hope to breed from them via embryo transfer.

We’ve two of our own stallions - Don Aqui, a Bundeschampionate fi nalist and MF ayden HH who’s in training with Davy Harvey. We hope he’ll be out at Grand Prix soon. We also import semen from Germany, Denmark and Holland using both proven and young stallions.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF YOUR LOCATION?

We’ve top class ground and it’s a great climate for youngstock to thrive. We never have issues with summer fl ies and the location has never been a concern with buyers. The challenge would be the weather. During winter we cannot keep horses outside 24/7 as we’ve no natural shelter and get the wind right off the sea. e also miss out on attending so many events in the UK due to distance.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A BREEDER?

MFS High Fashion doing her fi rst Inter I and MF ance with me Fürst scoring 80% recently. Our highest accolade is on the showjumping front, with MFS W Diva Rosa, currently on the Swedish team with Annika Axelsson. She was awarded British Hanoverian Showjumping Horse of 2019.

HOW DO YOU COMBINE YOUR DAY JOB WITH RUNNING THE STUD?

I’m up at 5.40am every day. Gordon and I do the horses before heading off to our respective jobs. We’ve two girls who work for us part-time and they are a god send. During breeding season we might not fi nish until pm and then up every couple of hours on foal watch. We try our best to make sure Abbie gets plenty of time with her ponies. We’re very fortunate that we have good family friends and staff .

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.

Hardworking, adaptable and witty.