Simon Grieve has been very honest about his confidence struggles in recent years and this morning at Mars Badminton Horse Trials was no different, with the 44-year-old confessing his preparation included being hypnotised.The British rider hasnt contested the Gloucestershire five-star since 2019, but arrives with a confident 18th placing at last years Defender Burghley under his belt.Its such a privilege to be able to come here and compete. I know there are a lot of people that would love to be here riding, and so Im feeling very lucky. And to be honest, two years ago I never thought Id be coming back here, so its really lovely to be back.Simon explained that his absence was due to a lack of horsepower, as well as struggling with nerves. At Burghley last year, he explained how the chimp paradox has helped him.I thought Id come to the end of my little line of competing at a higher level, because I I was getting too nervous to do it. It just goes to show that mindset is such an important thing, he said. I was even hypnotised the other day I said [to the hypnotist after] I think Ive had a speech and she said, Yeah, you did for about 50 minutes, but its okay I was talking to your subconscious. We were in the lorry and when I came out the girls were like, we could hear you clucking like a chicken whats going on?!Its big and scarySimon piloted Autograf to a dressage score of 36.4 this morning.Bearing in mind hes green at this level and I find dressage difficult, but he moves beautifully and hes a fabulous little horse a really great mover. So I need to catch up with him, said Simon.The atmosphere was great. There was a bit of clapping, a bit cheering, which is really nice. Its always a cauldron of nerves in there, but I thought he got on with it really well.He described the Eric Winter-designed cross-country course as being big, bold and scary but Id be disappointed if it wasnt.I think the lake is serious. I just cant ever get away from the Vicarage Vee and the water at the top as well is technical. Its all the way around, and its one big fence after another and another it makes it such a challenge.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentTop riders battle with nerves, too! How one Burghley rider overcame a confidence lossHow to watch BadmintonMare, 16, makes Badminton debut after recovering from tendon injuryThe post I was hypnotised: Simon Grieve combats confidence wobble to return to Badminton after six year absence appeared first on Your Horse.