Its completely normal to suffer with competition jitters, but nerves can hamper you enjoying a day with your horse. This can not only interfere with your performance, but also how much fun you have. Whether youre worried you might knock a pole in your showjumping round, forget your dressage test or know youll have butterflies in your stomach in the start box on a cross-country course, pre-competition nerves can turn something which was supposed to be fun into a stressful event.In the following video, equestrian mental performance coach Annika McGivern shares what you can do to control your anxiety before a competition so that you enjoy your day and perform at your best.Symptoms of competition nervesPre-test anxiety is something thats super common and affects so many of us as riders, says Annika. We can be feeling pre-test anxiety if were feeling extra tension in our body this can pass down into our horse and cause them to be tense.Another really common symptom if that we might feel fuzzy headed or have difficulties thinking clearly, and often a result of that can be that we forget our test.Not only can you overcome these feelings, but you can master them to improve your performance.The goal is to be able to calm our minds without losing that edge to our focus that allows us to stay in the zone and get the most out of ourselves and our horse, shares Annika.Fight or flight responseAnxiety stems from perceiving a situation as a threat, which puts our brain into fight or flight mode.This fight or flight mode means that we become focused on the stories around whats happening, such as:Are we going to fail?,Are we going to make a mistake?,Might we let ourselves down or let someone we care about down?,What if we dont measure up to expectations?,What if someone is judging us when we ride?.When were in this mindset, we become hyper-focused on these stories and less focused on the task at hand of actually riding, explains Annika. This can make you a less effective rider, as youre not concentrating in the moment. It can make you forgetful or less confident and decisive.Changing your focusThe solution lies in where were choosing to place our focus and also in how were choosing to perceive the situation, says Annika. So we have a dressage test to ride in front of us, and this is essentially a challenge a challenge that were facing. The choice lies in how are we choosing to perceive that challenge. Is that challenge a threat, or is that challenge an opportunity, possibly even a positive opportunity that were choosing for ourselves?Our brain naturally wants to perceive a challenge as a threat, so it can take some time and practise to overcome this and see things in a positive light.Focus on the opportunity of this challenge, the good things about this challenge and all the things that were choosing the reasons why we have actually put ourselves in this position where were now facing this challenge, advises Annika.Re-framing challenges as positive opportunitiesThere is a series of steps to follow to do this.1 Acknowledge that your thoughts are not always true When were in a state of anxiety our mind can fill with a lot of fearful and anxious thinking, and if we allow those thoughts to seem true, then they shape our reality and keep us stuck in that anxious place, explains Annika. So we have to acknowledge that our thoughts are not always true those anxious thoughts, those worried stories that are filling your mind they arent true, they are just your brains way of trying to anticipate problems and threats as a way of trying to keep you safe.Once youve identified that the thoughts arent true, its time to let them go and choose what you do want to focus on.2. Recognise your choice We need to learn to re-frame all challenges as positive opportunities instead of threats or opportunities to fail or make mistakes, says Annika. We do this by recognising that were choosing the challenge. The challenge is the journey or pathway to grow we cannot grow without challenging ourselves.For many of us, riding and competing were dreams at one point focus on how this dream is now a reality, and youre living it.3. Re-align your focusAs were learning to do this, we may have to repeatedly catch ourselves in that anxious focus and bring ourselves back to that positive challenge mindset over and over again, says Annika. Thats completely normal. The more we practise re-aligning our focus with the fact that this is a positive challenge, the easier itll be to keep our mind and our focus there for longer periods of time. So its all about really anchoring yourself in the present moment.4. Build a ritual or routine This routine needs to be something that allows you to pause and ground yourself in the present moment and disconnect from any worrying stories that may be circling around your head, says Annika. One way to do this is to pause somewhere and take a couple of really nice ground breathes right down into your stomach. Breathe in through your nose, right down into your belly button, and exhale through your mouth. Those breathes are going to stimulate your vagus nerve, which helps your body to relax.Consciously release any tension in your body and remind yourself Im choosing to be here, Im choosing to engage in this challenge, adds Annika.You can do this before you mount up, in the warm up or before you head into the ring.What not to doIt can be tempting to try and overcome our nerves by downplaying how important something is but this can actually affect our performance.It doesnt work because its not true; we do care, and its important that we acknowledge that these moments are important to us and it does matter how we do, the effort we put in and the experience we have, says Annika.So what should you do instead?Its important to recognise that true performance exists in between the balance of caring and believing that what youre doing is important and that this moment matters, but reminding yourself that its not life or death, says Annika. The experience of this moment is going to move you forwards towards your goals, so we have to open ourselves up to experience that moment fully, knowing that its ok if we make mistakes so long as we manage them, learn from them and keep moving forward.Find out more about AnnikaThe post Feeling the pressure? Learn to manage competition nerves *Video* appeared first on Your Horse.

Premier Equine NewsPremier Equine Named Official Apparel Partner of Cornbury House Horse Trials 2026Premier Equine will support the Cornbury House Horse Trials event team with premium apparel across five days of international and national eventing.Jemima Howden wearing Premier Equine apparel at Cornbury House ahead of Cornbury House Horse Trials 2026.Premier Equine is proud to announce its partnership with Cornbury House Horse Trials as the Official Apparel Partner for 2026.Taking place from 913 September 2026 at the Cornbury Park estate near Charlbury in Oxfordshire, the event has become one of the most distinctive fixtures in the British eventing calendar.As Official Apparel Partner, Premier Equine will provide premium clothing for the event team, helping create a smart, professional and consistent presence across the showground.Partnership at a glanceEventCornbury House Horse Trials 2026Dates913 September 2026LocationCornbury Park, OxfordshirePartnershipOfficial Apparel PartnerThe PartnershipWhere Performance Meets TraditionCornbury House Horse Trials brings together world-class equestrian sport, rising talent, countryside hospitality, curated retail and local food and drink in one of the Cotswolds most beautiful settings.The partnership reflects a natural alignment between two names that value quality, performance, presentation and the detail behind a high-quality equestrian experience.Cornbury House Horse Trials combines international sport with a distinctive countryside experience.The EventMore Than an EventCornbury House Horse Trials has developed into one of Britains most distinctive equestrian occasions.Alongside international and national eventing competition, visitors can enjoy premium hospitality, independent retail, local food and drink, countryside entertainment and access to the estates historic parkland.This combination of sport, presentation and visitor experience makes the event a natural fit for Premier Equine.Premier EquineBuilt Around British Equestrian ExcellencePremier Equine is a proudly British equestrian brand recognised for premium horse rugs , horse leg protection , rider clothing and horse tack .Designed around quality, comfort and performance, Premier Equine products are trusted by riders across the UK and internationally, from everyday training and horse care through to competition.The partnership with Cornbury House Horse Trials brings those values into an event that shares the same respect for horses, riders and the future of the sport.Jemima Howden and David Howden at Cornbury House.A Shared VisionAdam Zegocki on the PartnershipCornbury House Horse Trials feels like a natural fit for Premier Equine. It brings together everything we value as a brand: exceptional horses, talented riders, countryside life, quality, presentation and a real respect for the sport.We are especially pleased to support an event that celebrates both established names and the next generation of riders. That is important to us. Our work with Jemima Howden has already shown how powerful the connection can be between rider, horse, product and story, and this partnership gives us a strong platform to build on that in a way that feels authentic.Premier Equine has always been built around products that support performance, comfort and protection for horse and rider. To bring that into an event like Cornbury, through both apparel and wider storytelling, is something we are genuinely proud of.Adam ZegockiChief Operating Officer, Premier EquineLooking AheadDavid Howden on the PartnershipPremier Equine is exactly the kind of partner we want alongside us as Cornbury House Horse Trials continues to grow.They are a respected British brand with a genuine commitment to quality, performance and the welfare of horse and rider, values that sit at the heart of everything we are building here at Cornbury.In just a few years, the event has established itself as one of the most exciting fixtures in the eventing calendar, bringing together world-class sport, emerging talent and a unique visitor experience.As we look ahead to another landmark year in 2026 and towards hosting the U25 World Championships in 2027, it is important that we work with partners who share our ambition and long-term vision for the sport.To have our event team equipped by Premier Equine is a fantastic addition, and we look forward to working together to deliver an outstanding experience for competitors, owners, sponsors and spectators alike.David HowdenFounder and President, Cornbury House Horse TrialsCornbury House Horse Trials 2026 takes place from 913 September.The ProgrammeWhat to Expect at Cornbury House Horse Trials 2026The 2026 programme will include:International FEI classes at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S levelThe Howden Way Youth ChampionshipsBritish Eventing Young Horse Championships for five, six and seven-year-old horsesARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge CupA new Advanced class for riders under the age of 25The new Advanced class forms part of the venues preparations to host the U25 World Championships in 2027. Visitors will also be able to enjoy premium hospitality, local food and drink, curated shopping and countryside entertainment across the Cornbury Park estate.About Premier EquineBased in North Lincolnshire, Premier Equine is a leading British equestrian brand with a global presence. Trusted by riders, professionals and equestrian partners worldwide, Premier Equine designs premium horsewear, technically advanced horse rugs, horse leg protection, rider clothing and equestrian equipment for training, competition and everyday care.About Cornbury House Horse TrialsCornbury House Horse Trials takes place on the Cornbury Park estate near Charlbury in Oxfordshire. The event combines international and national eventing competition with hospitality, independent retail, local food and drink, and access to the private Deer Park and wider historic parkland.Premier EquineExplore the CollectionsDiscover premium equestrian products designed to support horse and rider through training, competition and everyday care. Horse Rugs Rider Clothing Horse Boots & Leg Protection Horse Tack

One of the best polo players in the world, Argentinas Adolfo Cambiaso, was on hand to inspire the next generation at a charity polo event last month.Twenty-one young people and military veterans took part in the Change Your Line Cup,supported by BREXA and DMMIand organised by charity Power of Polo, a four-chukka match which was held at Guards Polo Club in Windsor.Power of Polo (PoP) is a grassroots charity which uses polo as a tool for social impact with young people facing social, economic and health challenges.Participants came from PoPs charity partners Alabar, Oxford Community Action and Ebony Horse Club, as well as from residential camps and activities that the charity has run at Oxford Polo Club, Offchurch Bury Polo Club, Tedworth Park Polo Club and Cool Hooves Polo.Prize winnersAdolfo, who is in England as part of the UK high goal season, spent time chatting with participants, hearing their stories and presenting the prizes.He awarded Khafayah Shodunke from Oxford Community Action and Ben Murphy-Jephcott from Alabar Youth, who were named the days Most Valuable Players, a shirt which was signed by him, his son Poroto and daughter Mia.The inaugural recipient of the Change Your Line Award, which recognises a Power of Polo participant who has consistently worked hard to change the direction of their life and who embodies the charitys values of resilience, determination and perseverance, was Harry Thorpe. Adolfo Cambiaso and Harry Thorpe. Truly specialThis event has evolved into something very special over our long relationship with BREXA and David Matsumoto and I want to thank them, and Guards Polo Club, for their support, said Katy Hayward, PoP founder and ceo.This was our best event yet and we are so proud of all our participants for playing so brilliantly and shining a light on what we do.I also want to thank Adolfo for coming; having the greatest polo player of all time here to present prizes and chat to our participants was a truly special moment.We very much hope we can find a way to continue this event in the future.Images Images of Polo.More from Your HorseThese are the big benefits of regular hacking for horses and ridersHow to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signsEssential horse worming schedule and management tips from a vetIntroducing your horse to a new herdThe post Polo legend supports charity event appeared first on Your Horse.

Horsey books sparked a lifelong love of horses for many of us, yet too often theyve been left behind in childhood. Its the National Year of Reading, which is the perfect excuse to rediscover the comfort, inspiration, and escapism of an equestrian novel. Here are the latest book releases to get you started.Well be updating this page regularly, so be sure to keep checking back Title: Riding Through War and Peace Author: Michael Pugh What its about: In the summer of 2014, as Crimea fell and eastern Ukraine descended into violence, Michael Pugh an expat lawyer long embedded in Russian life sensed the ground shifting beneath him. Rather than fly home, he chose a different kind of departure:he left Moscow on horseback.What follows is a remarkable, deeply human journey westward through Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Romania. Pugh rides through wildflower meadows and forgotten aristocratic estates, meets monks, horsemasters and villagers, and navigates landscapes shaped by centuries of conflict. Along the way he encounters generosity, warnings, celebrations, danger and a world on the cusp of profound change.Part travelogue, part cultural history, part personal reckoning,Riding Through War and Peaceoffers a rare, groundlevel view of Eastern Europe at a pivotal moment. It is lifted throughout by vivid characters, the antics of horses and guides, and the authors wry, observant voiceRRP: 22.99Buy: amazon.co.uk/Riding-Through-Peace-Michael-PughTitle: Tangled Webs Author: Callie Coles What its about: The first book in Callie Coles Spinning Silks trilogy an inspiring romance about finding courage, healing and hope.To the outside world, Sage Deverill has it all. In truth, her marriage is a gilded cage.When Sage flees, she takes her young son to the only place that has ever felt like home: her grandparents manor house in Newmarket, the beating heart of the racing world. Surrounded by ivy-clad walls, the kindness of her family and the thunder of hooves on the heath, Sage reconnects with the place, people and creatures she loves most.Riding beneath the wide Suffolk skies, Sage encounters Rafe Dunbarton an ambitious, intriguing trainer with a gentle soul. What begins as friendship soon becomes an irresistible pull between two people who never expected to find each other.But just as Sage rediscovers her freedom, her past returns in a tangle of destruction and lies and she is forced to decide how much she is willing to risk for her future Tangled Websis a sweeping romance about finding courage, healing and hope perfect for readers looking for the next love story to lose themselves in.RRP: 20Buy: amazon.co.uk/Tangled-Webs-Spinning-SilksTitle: Toukis Last LetterAuthor: Christiana RosenblattWhat its about: When Touki, a Grand Irish Sport Horse, writes one final letter to his favorite little girl, he shares memories of the adventures they had, the lessons he learned, and the magic that still connects them.Filled with comfort, wonder, and the quiet sparkle of the spirit world, Toukis Last Letter helps children understand loss with tenderness and hope.A beautifully illustrated story about love that continues in every hoofbeat, every whisper of wind, and every cherished memory.RRP: 14.71 Buy: www.amazon.comTitle: Horse Country: Inside the World of Equestrian Style and Sport, from British Dressage to Western RidingAuthor: Kathryn OShea-Evans What its about: Horse Countryit is not just a book, its a sprawling, cinematic tribute to the world of horses. Epic in scale, its a ride through the beauty of horse country around the globe from tack room to saddle, British dressage to Western cowboys and everywhere in between.RRP: 32.24 Buy: ebay.co.ukTitle: The Secrets of Wild Hill: Lotties DreamAuthor: Olivia Tuffin What its about: Two stables, two families and a feud that goes back generations. Can Lottie heal the wounds from the past and save Wild Hill? The first story in an exciting equine saga.Lottie Manderson is passionate about horse riding. Deliberately failing the exam to go to a new school, she plans to spend all her free time with her sturdy, feisty and much-adored pony, Patch. But even with the help of her grandmother, Lottie has a battle on her hands. And when Granny convinces Lottie to skip school and go to the Badminton Grassroots event, its no surprise that her parents are really angry. But by now, a spark has ignited in Lotties heart and it sets her on a path to pursue her dream of eventing.Meanwhile, when Lotties grandad has an accident, its clear that the yard at Wild Hill is facing financial disaster. And even Lotties brother a talented horseman appears to be quite happy to let it fall apart so they can sell up.It seems that the only person Lottie can really talk to is Felix, the quiet, rich boy from the stables behind the high fence. But whose side is he on and can she even trust him knowing hes the grandson of her familys worst enemy?RRP: 7.99 Buy: amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Wild-Hill-Lotties-DreamTitle: Wild Hearts Author: Esther Towler What its about: Wild Hearts is a fine art photography book six years in the making a portrait of our rare native horse breeds in the UK, documented before their stories fade, capturing the heart and soul of each breed: their wildness, their dignity, and the landscapes that shaped them.RRP: 55 Buy: esthertowler.comTitle: Clear to the Last,Against the Clock, andStaying the CourseAuthor: Jenny RomanWhat its about: Staying the Coursecompletes beloved equestrian trilogy for grown-up horse lovers. For every rider who ever whispered secrets into a ponys mane, Jenny Romans latest equestrian novelStaying the Course(book three of the Livy trilogy) offers a return to the golden days of pony stories but for us grown-ups.Romans novels capture the drama, warmth, and camaraderie of equestrian life while exploring the challenges of love, friendship, and resilience. The trilogy has consistently received strong reader feedback on Amazon and Goodreads, with five-star reviews praising its authenticity and emotional depth. The stories celebrate the unique bond between humans and horses perfect for anyone who grew up onJills Gymkhanaor theJinnybooks.InStaying the Course,Livy faces the toughest season of her life as she navigates her new equestrian career, rebuilds fractured relationships, and tackles confidence issues both in and out of the saddle. The story will resonate with readers aged 3070 who want fiction which acknowledges real-world struggles while still capturing the magic, companionship and escape that horses bring.RRP: 8.99 Buy: amazon.co.uk/Staying-CourseTitle: Lucy Kemp-Welch 1869-1958: The Life and Work of Lucy Kemp-Welch, Painter of HorsesAuthor: Dr David Boyd Hancock What its about: Over the course of a long and very successful career spanning the first half of the 20th century, Lucy Kemp-Welch established herself as one of the leading equestrian painters at work in the UK and one of the countrys best-known women artists. David Boyd Haycocks new, extensively illustrated biography of Kemp-Welch brings this remarkable artist and her work back into sharp focus.Born in 1869, Kemp-Welch first came to the art establishments attention in 1897 when her immense painting,Colt Huntingin the New Forest, caused a sensation at the Royal Academys Summer Exhibition; the work was bought for the Nation by the Chantry Bequest in the year of the exhibition. In 1915, she illustrated Anna SewellsBlack Beauty, and was commissioned to paint images for the Government during the First World War. Later, the muralWomens Work in the Great War, was placed in the Royal Exchange in London, where it remains to this day.Respected art writer and curator Boyd-Haycock shines new light on Kemp-Welchs life, writing from a 21st-century perspective and reflecting on her as a female painter in a male-dominated environment. Alongside Kemp-Welchs paintings, the book will feature exclusive period photographs of the artist herself, shown at work and in her studio. RRP: 45Buy: amazon.co.uk/Lucy-Kemp-WelchThe post The latest equestrian books that you need to add to your reading list appeared first on Your Horse.

New research has been published by Horse Sport Irelands geneticist Dr Jennifer Doyle and Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development Dr Sonja Egan examining the genetic diversity and population structure of Irish horse breeds and sport horse populations. The study, Population Structure and Runs of Homozygosity in Irish Horse Breeds, has been published in the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive and was presented by Dr Doyle at the quadrennial World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production last week.The research analysed genetic data from more than 26,000 horses across 11 breeds and populations, including the Irish Sport Horse (ISH), (ISH) Traditional Irish Horse, Irish Draught, Connemara Pony, Irish Cob, Kerry Bog Pony and Thoroughbred. The study provides valuable insights into breed origins, genetic diversity and the impact of breeding practices over time.Key findings showed clear genetic distinctions among Irelands native breeds, while also demonstrating the influence of continental European warmblood bloodlines within the modern Irish Sport Horse population. The research further highlighted the genetic uniqueness of native Irish breeds and the importance of maintaining genetic diversity to support their long-term sustainability of these populations.Commenting on the publication, Dr Sonja Egan head of Breeding, Innovation and Development said:This research strengthens our understanding of the genetic makeup of Irish horse breeds and provides an important evidence base to support our ongoing breeding and conservation efforts. This work has laid the evidence basis for Horse Sport Ireland to propose a novel rule in the Irish Sport Horse Breeding Programme for which Traditional Irish Horses can be genetically designated, which has been discussed with the Traditional Irish Horse Association (TIHA). This would permit that animals only containing the genetic components of composite breeds to become genomically designated and allow them to breed TIH. This data set is the largest of its kind to do this work in the Irish sport horse population and ensures that the designation is both accurate and useful to Irish breeders to bolster the population and manage genetic diversity while preserving rare bloodlines.This research highlights Horse Sport Irelands continued investment in genetic research and innovation, directly supporting Priority 2 of HSI Strategy 2030: Excellence in Breeding and High-Performance Sport.Reference: Doyle, J. & Egan, S. (2026), Population Structure and Runs of Homozygosity in Irish Horse Breeds, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive. DOI: 10.31274/wcgalp.23587.The post Horse Sport Ireland Research Highlights Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Irish Horse Breeds appeared first on .

Mid week SJ leagueClasses for everyone from 30cms to 1MCompetitors must compete each week and accumulate points. Prizes and sashes at the final night....