The Right Goals, the Right Pace: A Sport Psychology Approach for Riders (Session 1)

The Arizona Dressage Association is pleased to present a two-part virtual webinar series on sport psychology for equestrian athletes. Dr. Leslie Sherlin, a licensed professional counselor and Certified Mental Performance Consultant who has worked with athletes and high performers ranging from Olympic and professional sports teams to US military Special Operations Forces, will lead both sessions. Dr. Sherlin is also an adult amateur dressage competitor and ADA board member who has worked with equestrian athletes across multiple disciplines including dressage, show jumping, reined cow horse, cutting, and reining. The series will explore the mental side of riding and competition, covering topics such as goal setting, performance anxiety, recovering from mistakes in the ring, and preparing mentally for competition day. Whether you are a seasoned competitor working through a plateau or a junior rider heading into your first recognized show, these sessions are designed to give you practical tools you can put to use immediately. Each session runs approximately one hour with time for questions, and the virtual format makes it easy to participate from anywhere. This series grew directly out of feedback from ADA members, and it is open to riders of all levels and disciplines.

Session 1: The Right Goals, the Right Pace: A Sport Psychology Approach for Riders (May 13, 6:00 PM)
Equestrian athletes are goal-driven by nature. We chase scores, levels, and milestones, and the structure of dressage practically invites us to measure progress in very specific terms. But the way we set and pursue goals has a significant influence on whether we experience our riding as fulfilling or frustrating, and on whether we actually perform well when it matters most.

This session explores the psychology of effective goal setting for equestrian athletes. We will look at the difference between outcome goals, performance goals, and process goals, and discuss why the riders who focus primarily on outcomes often find themselves stuck, anxious, or burned out. We will talk about what it means to pursue meaningful goals at a pace that supports both growth and wellbeing, and why pushing harder is not always the answer.

Drawing from principles of sport and performance psychology, including acceptance-based approaches that help athletes stay present and flexible rather than rigid and self-critical, this session will offer practical strategies for setting goals that motivate without creating unnecessary pressure. We will discuss how to recognize when a goal has become more of an obstacle than a guide, how to adjust expectations without giving up on progress, and how to use values rather than just outcomes to direct your training.

The session will also address the unique dynamics of an equestrian partnership, where goal setting must account for two athletes rather than one. Whether you are working toward your first Training Level score or preparing for a regional championship, the principles apply at every level. Attendees will leave with concrete tools they can bring to the barn and the warm-up ring.

Session 2: Nerves, Mistakes, and the Next Movement: A Sport Psychology Approach to Performance Anxiety (July 22, 6:00 PM)

If you have ever had a warm-up that felt great only to fall apart the moment you entered the ring, or found yourself unable to stop replaying an error at C while the rest of your test slipped away from you, you are not alone. Performance anxiety is one of the most common experiences among equestrian athletes at every level, and it is one of the least talked about.

This session takes a practical, evidence-based look at what performance anxiety actually is, why it shows up when it does, and what you can do about it. We will explore the physiology of the stress response and how it affects your body, your decision-making, and your horse. Horses are remarkably sensitive to the tension, breathing changes, and postural shifts that accompany anxiety in the saddle, which means that what is happening in your mind is never just in your mind.

Drawing from sport and performance psychology, this session will introduce strategies for managing anxiety before and during competition. Rather than trying to eliminate nerves entirely, which is rarely realistic and not always desirable, the focus will be on building the capacity to ride effectively even when anxiety is present. We will cover techniques for recovering from mistakes mid-test rather than letting one error define the entire ride, approaches to competition-day preparation that reduce unnecessary stress, and ways to build a pre-ride routine that helps you show up focused and present.

This session also addresses the emotional side of competing, including the frustration of inconsistency, the pressure that comes from comparing yourself to others, and the challenge of performing in front of judges and peers. Attendees will leave with strategies they can practice at home and put to work at their next show.

About Our Speaker:
Dr. Leslie Sherlin is a licensed professional counselor and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) who specializes in sport and performance psychology. He is listed on the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology and Mental Training Registry and has worked with athletes, military operators, executives, and high performers through partnerships with Red Bull North America’s High Performance Center, USA Track and Field, US military Special Operations Forces, Fortune 500 companies, and professional and collegiate sports teams across multiple countries. His work has been published in academic literature and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, BBC, CNN, and Popular Science. In the equestrian world, Dr. Sherlin has worked with individual amateur and professional athletes across multiple disciplines including dressage, show jumping, reined cow horse, cutting, and reining, and serves as the sport psychology provider to riders sponsored by Triple Crown Feed. He is also an adult amateur dressage competitor, an ADA board member, and serves on the Education, JR/YR, Finance and Nominations & Governance Committees.

“Please note that all event registrations are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend a live session, recordings will be made available for registered participants.”