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Tuesday, April 16 2019 / Published in General

Moving Up While Questioning Whether You’re Ready

Margie Sugarman
Photo by Lauri Foster

by Margie Sugarman

Margie Sugarman is a leading board-certified psychotherapist and sports consultant based in New York. Margie’s desire is to enhance performance through the connection between the mind and body, and her current client list includes Olympic, professional and amateur athletes across the country. Her experience employing various therapeutic modalities has helped equestrians win classics, junior medals and grand prix. Do you have a question you want Margie to answer? Send questions to editor@sidelinesnews.com.

My trainer just moved me up a level, and while it’s always been a dream, I don’t feel like I’m ready. How can I get over my apprehension and anxiety?

First and foremost, you must have faith in your trainer and know they would never put you in a compromising position, asking you to do something you’re not capable of.

However, it’s important to understand that growth and anxiety often walk hand in hand. At the center of change is the unknown. We fear the unknown because we don’t know what’s going to be presented, what will happen and how we’ll deal with it. Consequently, the best way to prepare for this growth is to address all of the possibilities that could present themselves in facing the move up to the next level.

Equestrian coach, author and sports psychologist Daniel Stewart uses GPS as the athletic acronym for Goal, Problem and Solution. It’s an approach that utilizes and combines two important sport psychology techniques: goal setting and problem solving. Just as the GPS in your car gets you to where you physically want to go, the GPS in your head guides you to where you want to go mentally with your riding.

Goal: The first piece of the equation is the mental goal you want to attain: in this case, moving to the next level.

Problem: The second component of the equation is the possible problem that might stand in the way of achieving your goal. We have to remember that goal attainment is not always a smooth process. We often have to address some bumps in the road in order to progress along the road and meet the goal — so much is learned through our mistakes.

Solution: The final piece of the equation is addressing the solution to the problem. It’s this final piece that serves as the driving force behind your growth. Moreover, it’s the piece that reinforces one’s confidence and determination, because you have the solution to the problems that were previously immobilizing you.

Let’s explore the issue of moving up and the fear you’ve brought to this situation.

You’ve ridden the higher fence heights at home in your lessons and have done quite well — which is the basis for your trainer wanting you to move you up a level. However, deep down, your mental stumbling block (problem) is the fear of making a mistake in front of other people at this level.

How can you address the solution without going to a show and actually riding in front of others?

Arrange for a group lesson with others who ride at the level you are moving up to. After doing some schooling fences, like at a horse show, run the lesson as a class at a show. This will allow you to ride in front of others at this height, make learning errors, develop more confidence in yourself and see that others also make mistakes — and learn from them — while being supportive of one another.

Remember:

“A dream written down with a date becomes a goal,

a goal broken down into steps becomes a plan,

a plan backed by action becomes reality.”— Greg Reid

Live your dream.

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Tagged under: margie sugarman, Sports Psychology

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The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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