Your Rider Assessment Results
Thanks for making the time to take the "What Element is Missing from Your Riding" Assessment.
I’m Nicola Smith, creator of the Dressage Rider Training System and program.
Over the past 10 years, I have helped literally thousands of riders around the world improve their riding and become the best versions of themselves, by doing ONE thing really well:
Focussing on you as a rider.
In our experience, so many riders focus on their horse’s training only, making them fitter, stronger, more supple, while forgetting it’s a partnership and neglecting their own side of the equation.
Any form of riding is a team sport. We work with our horse to train & perform beautiful dances together, creating a common language & forming an unbreakable team bond. Success in riding is to synchronize, to move as one with your horse. This coalescence, or unity, is the pinnacle we strive for.
And what we’ve found is this:
There is generally one element that is the missing piece of the puzzle… for YOU… that is stopping you from achieving this unity, and that when you fix it, will help unlock your riding ability and make all the difference in the world.
So what element may be missing from your riding?
Well, let’s get to your results :-)
Nicola Smith
- BPHED, University of Otago (Double major exercise prescription and sport science)
- Chek Holistic Nutrition And Lifestyle Coach 2
- Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
Your Element to Improve is...
Based on what you've told me, the element that I recommend you focus on improving right now is...
"Mi"... which stands for Mindset.
Now, what does that mean exactly?
Let me begin by explaining the “Dressage Rider Training System” as a whole.
This is the Dressage Rider Training System...
At the center of the System is Coalescence, “to unite so as to form one entity”. This is what we are striving to achieve as horse and rider, the ultimate goal.
The 4 elements of Suppleness, Stability, Stamina, and Mindset all contribute towards this culmination of coalescence. Just like a rainbow needs the perfect conditions to magically appear, if any of these 4 elements are missing, coalescence or unity with your horse will not arise.
You will notice there are layers within the DRT System, like rings of a tree. Each layer you develop with time, gives you more strength and depth to each element, allowing you to achieve coalescence more consistently, and less fleetingly.
Let’s focus on the element prescribed to you that you need to work on the most right now:
Mindset
Notice each element contains 3 unique ingredients (or atoms that make up the element ;).
A productive Mindset is achieved through a combination of Focus, Thoughts, and Goals.
Let’s go through each in turn:
Focus
Focus is your ability to stay on task when there are distractions all around you. At any riding event there are distractions everywhere, for both you and your horse!
Being able to stay focused on your own riding and what you need to do is a skill that can be learned. You are asking your horse to keep listening to you no matter what is happening around them. Well your horse needs the same from you.
Thoughts
Your thoughts are the second aspect that contribute to your mindset. You likely know you have countless thoughts running through your mind each day. Most of these are random and fleeting, it’s the thoughts that are persistent and tied to your belief and self worth that you need to learn to control.
Nurturing positive thoughts and seeing the good in every situation, no matter how drastic, is a habit you can instill that will lead you to making good decisions and feeling good about yourself consistently.
Goals
As humans, we need to have purpose and growth in order to feel good about ourselves. Knowing where you want to get to gives you confidence and a sense of purpose to your day.
Setting goals on how you are going to get there will give you that challenge you need in order to grow, and the sense of self worth when you achieve them.
It is this combination of Focus, Thoughts and Goals that creates the Mindset you need to overcome any obstacle that inevitably comes your way in the sport of riding.
Improving Your Mindset Allows You to:
Think & respond calmly under pressure
Thrive on the challenge of overcoming obstacles
Reduce or eliminate anxiety when competing
Freedom to perform without judgment or fear
Maintain your commitment when things don't go as planned
Regain your confidence if you're returning from an injury, a setback, or time away
Don’t just take my word for it. Hear what other riders just like you have to say about how they have improved their Mindset within the Dressage Rider Training System, and the results they have seen…
Mindset Results Achieved by Others
"DRT was absolutely fabulous!! I looked forward to the work out each week so much. The feedback from family, friends and my coach has been amazing. The difference it has made is dramatic!!
I feel, coming from a rider that has been held back with mindset issues, your program has given me hope, so much confidence and belief in myself I can’t thank you enough!!"
- Skye Cunich, NSW, Australia
"I came to the DRT program because I wanted to more fully embrace the two Cs I felt were lacking in my riding life: feeling control over my journey and growing my confidence in and out of the saddle.
As I feel more secure in the saddle, my confidence to ‘ride the horse’ has increased. Be it riding without stirrups or dealing with a spook out hacking: I’ve noticed that my balance has increased dramatically. I can also feel myself breathe and smile much more! All of this has led me to feel more capable.
As a plus size rider in a sport of teeny-tiny bodies, this sport can be daunting. DRT has encouraged me to think positively about the small changes we can make and then see/feel each week. I honestly cannot recommend this program enough."
- Lucy McKelvie, Wyndham, New Zealand
"I had returned to riding after a long stint out. I got back into the saddle thinking I could pick up from where I left. I found a fabulous 5yo Friesian X Mare to recommence my riding journey, what a shock that was! 6 months into the journey things start to fall apart as to be expected. It was rough, I was an emotional mess and was doubting my ability and my confidence was depleted. Then I found DRT.Nicola, this program is absolutely brilliant. I cannot explain but my attitude, fitness, strength, confidence, health, mindset, balance, you name it has improved. I can ride again, we are slowly increasing our jumping height and my mare is responding to me in such a positive way. I love what this program has done and allowed me to experience. I am so grateful!"
- Kestine Kenny, ACT, Australia
How to Improve Your Mindset
Ok. You get it. You’re ready to improve your Mindset because you know it’s going to benefit you greatly in the saddle just like it’s helped these people. But how?
Read on, and I’ll show you how…
Getting Started Now - I have created some articles with exercises you can do to get started on improving your Mindset. They are listed below, do try them:
- Mastering your inner game
- Earning your confidence
- Being realistic with your results
- How to create calmness in any situation
- Competition nerves & how to perform at your best
What To Do Next?
Maybe you’ve tried the exercises in the links above, but now you are ready to transform your riding for good! You want to work on your Mindset properly, taking no shortcuts. What’s the next step? Where do you go from here?
Well, I’ve got some good news for you that will make it incredibly easy…
Our Dressage Rider Training Program
*A Done For You Solution - It gives you the exact workouts that will improve your Mindset in the saddle. This program gives you everything you need to improve your riding, including the Suppleness, Stability and Stamina elements as well.
*MAKING IT EASY - It is as simple as pressing PLAY on the videos, following along with me, and I will take you through the workout like a group fitness class (I used to be an instructor in a prior life ;).
* PLANNED PERFECTLY FOR YOU - There is no need to think or stress about what to do, I have created this program specifically for your needs as a rider, giving you everything you need.
This program caters to YOUR fitness level, to YOUR abilities, to YOUR age bracket, and to YOUR focus as a rider.
I invite you to join us for the Dressage Rider Training program.
It's a hugely popular program that we only run a few times throughout the year.
I wish you all the best with your riding, and hope you can join us on the program :).
Nicola. x
