How to Overcome Show Ring Nerves and Build Horse Riding Confidence
Show ring nerves were one of the biggest challenges I faced in my equestrian career—and they’re still something I help riders work through every day. Even though I competed from a young age, rode daily, and wasn’t afraid of my horses, something shifted the moment I entered the show ring. My body would react—tight shoulders, shallow breath, a flood of emotion—and I didn’t understand why.
Looking back, I now see that my nerves came from three main places:
Claustrophobia in the test – the pressure and structure felt overwhelming.
Fear of people’s opinions – the weight of expectations and being judged.
Lack of trust – in my horse, my training, and myself.
Here’s how I worked through each of those—and how you can, too.
Transforming Claustrophobia in the Test
The first step was recognizing that I wasn’t preparing properly at home. I would ride the test, but I wasn’t simulating the pressure of a show or preparing my horse to perform confidently under those conditions. Instead of focusing on the feel of each movement, I was trying to control how things looked—often manipulating rather than communicating.
Everything changed when I started using my at-home rides as fact-finding missions, not performances. I asked myself:
What movements need more time to prepare?
What does my horse understand or find difficult?
Which gait energy creates the best flow for this test?
Practice became a place of curiosity and learning. I discovered where to add subtle pauses, how to support my horse’s relaxation, and how to ride in a way that built fluency rather than pressure. Over time, the claustrophobia in the show ring melted away—because I had practiced riding with confidence, not just precision.
Letting Go of the Fear of Other People’s Opinions
This one’s deep. I used to let the fear of what others might think affect everything—from my warm-up routine to how I responded to mistakes. But once I started valuing my relationship with my horse more than my fear of judgment, things shifted.
I made it my mission to be the partner my horse needed in every situation. That meant responding to stress with softness, mistakes with grace, and riding in a way that honored our journey together—not someone else’s opinion of it.
One day, I rode my Grand Prix mare at a major show. She wasn’t totally comfortable with the footing, and I had to decide—push for points or ride for her comfort. I chose her. We rode a relaxed, mistake-free test, and I was proud. Later, another rider said, “I got better points than you—even with my mistakes!” Years ago, that comment would have crushed me. But now? I knew we had different values. My goal was trust and harmony. Hers was points. And that’s okay.
Everyone is on their own path. When you let go of trying to meet other people’s expectations, you make space to connect more deeply—with your horse and yourself.
Learning to Trust: Your Training, Your Horse, and Yourself
Confidence comes from trust—and trust comes from consistency. You can’t fake it. Your horse needs to know what to expect, and that only happens with clear communication and repetition. I had to teach my horse what I was asking, and reward the right answers every time.
I also had to learn to trust my ground support. In the heat of a show, our emotions can cloud our perception. Having someone I trust—who knows how I ride at home—guide me in warm-up made a huge difference. They could help me find the right tempo, frame, and connection. That helped me carry a feeling of confidence all the way into the ring.
Over time, I also learned to recognize how nerves showed up in my riding: Did I rush? Override? Clamp down? By noticing the patterns, I started catching myself in the moment—and riding more like myself again.
Confidence Is a Muscle
Confidence doesn’t appear overnight. It’s built—one ride, one moment, one small decision at a time. It comes from being okay with your flaws and showing up anyway. When you allow your mistakes to be seen without shame, you ride with more feeling. You stop overthinking. You start listening.
And the best part? When you’re more present and connected, you make fewer mistakes.
So yes—you can overcome show ring nerves. You can build horse riding confidence. And when you do, your relationship with your horse will deepen in ways that no ribbon or score can ever measure.
Be youthful in your approach. Connection is the key—and anything is possible.
— Nancy
