Lecture by Kathy Archer (Psychologist) Doctor of Psychology

Kathy Archer gave the lecture today on setting goals and maintaining motivation especially in the sport of horse riding. Kathy has 2 horses (Adonis and Barrabadeen Cavalcade). Kathy competes in dressage and has competed at Prix St George level.

Motivation in horse riding is two-fold, not only does the rider need to be motivated, the horse has to be motivated as well. Kathy firstly talked about setting goals in regard to the rider.

Rider Motivation
Your Level of Motivation leads to your level of success of achieving your goals.
There are two types: Intrinsic (within yourself, personal achievement) and Extrinsic (external rewards, ie recognition and winning). Which one are you driven by?

How do you increase your motivation?
Starts by enjoyment and continuation of enjoying in a focused manner.
Ask the question - Why are you riding? Is it going to competitions, bringing a young horse on, going out on bush rides or just enjoying the relationship with your horse? It could be a combination of all.

Goal Setting
Set long term and short term goals, goals must be realistic and helpful (if goals are unachievable it can lead to a sense of failure). When goals are realistic and achievable you receive a sense of accomplishment and drive to achieve more.

3 types of Goals:
1. Outcome Goals: These focus on an outcome of an event, eg your placement compared to others. Sometimes these goals can be unachievable and difficult to maintain and can lead to decrease in motivation. Outcome Goals may be helpful as a long term focus.
2. Performance Goals: These focus on your own performance compared to your previous performance ie personal best. * Achievable
3. Process Goals: These focus on your performance at particular skills (eg riding an accurate school figure, perfecting a particular movement). * Achievable

Goals need to be specific and measurable. Specific - "I must school in shoulder in" and measurable - "Have I done it?" Goals must be accountable.

Quality rather than quantity of daily training is important. Plan your daily riding routine so you have a useful and purposeful training session interlinked and related to each other. You must be flexible and allow for change eg bad weather, injury, holidays etc

Kathy touched on the term she phrased as "the grind" this is where you may still be achieving but it is no fun, this will only be temporary, don't think "just do it".

Most importantly enjoy what you do and keep it in perspective.

Horse Motivation
Horses have a mind of their own and would love to stay grazing out in the paddock all day. It is important to make your riding sessions interesting and fun for your horse as well as for yourself. Horses are herd animals and they do have social needs.

To help increase motivation in your horse, create sessions that increase their confidence. Start with something they know and then gradually introduce a more difficult concept, return to easier tasks as well. Horses love lots of praise and pats.

Horses can feel and react to something as light as a fly so they should feel your leg, work towards light, consistent aids. Change location of riding as well.

Developing trust with your horse is very important.

Ride on undulating ground, your horse will use different muscles and ligaments. It helps keep them balanced and fit.

Try and identify what may be holding you back from doing a particular activity with your horse.