Monday Motivation with Lucy Jackson: #1

Going to a new event venue for the 1st time

Allow plenty of time. For me the hardest part of the new venue is establishing the ‘base setting’ in my head in terms of visualisation. I spend a fair amount of time picturing particularly the XC course, but also the dressage test and SJ courses in my head before I ride at an event.

At a new venue this takes longer and more concentration because the default map with its landmarks has to be thought through more carefully. Also worth considering is not knowing how far lorries are from dressage arenas, XC and SJ warm ups, secretary’s tents, bacon butty vans etc etc so instead of arriving 1hr 1/2 before my first dressage test (most shows this is enough time to walk the courses, collect my numbers, lunge the first pony for 10-15 mins and hop on normally 30 – 40 mins before test.

I’m spoilt as the girls tack up and stud up for me, and can also lunge if needed.