Equestrian Performance Mindset

At the start of a new season, goal setting can feel exciting… and overwhelming.

In this episode, I and Lorna unpack how to set ambitious goals that guide your season, without letting them become a source of pressure, self-doubt, or fear of judgment.

Drawing from our own recent competitions, we explore why zero expectations can sometimes unlock peak performance, why many riders either play too small or aim unrealistically high, and how fear of judgment often stops us from speaking our goals out loud.

This episode dives into the balance between big vision and grounded action, showing you how to use goals as information and data, not as a measure of your worth. If you’ve ever struggled with goal pressure, moving goalposts, or feeling like you’re failing even when you’re progressing, this conversation will help you reset your approach.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why having no expectations can lead to better performances

How mindset can carry you through breaks in training or time off

The difference between goals that guide you and goals that control you

Why many riders are afraid to speak their goals out loud

How fear of judgment, failure, or success shapes goal setting

Why goals should be treated as data and information, not ego

How to tell the difference between stretching yourself and setting yourself up to fail

Why breaking big goals into short-term actions builds confidence

The danger of constantly moving the goalposts

How to be proud of progress before you reach the end goal

Why mistakes, setbacks, and “bad days” are still steps forward

Who This Episode Is For:

Riders setting goals for a new season

Anyone feeling pressure, fear, or resistance around goal setting

Riders who feel they’re never “doing enough” despite progress

Those struggling with comparison, judgment, or expectations

Riders who want to play bigger without burning out mentally

Resources Mentioned:

📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset

🎁 YouTube Launch Competition: https://www.mindeq.eu/youtubelaunch

Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau

Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

Self-doubt is one of the biggest mindset challenges riders face, at every level of the sport.

In this episode, I and Lorna dive deep into what self-doubt really is, how it differs from confidence, and why it has far more to do with the stories you tell yourself than your actual ability.

You’ll learn why even top riders experience imposter syndrome, how identity shapes performance, and why stepping up a level often feels so uncomfortable, even when you are ready. Using relatable examples from eventing, show jumping, and everyday training, this episode breaks down how story-thinking hijacks your focus and what to do instead.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t belong at this level,” or “I’m going to mess this up,” this episode will help you shift out of self-doubt and into action; without pretending confidence you don’t yet feel.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The key difference between self-doubt and confidence

Why self-doubt is usually a story, not a fact

How identity (“I am an amateur,” “I’m not that kind of rider”) limits performance

Why stepping up a level always feels messy, and why that’s normal

How story-thinking ruins rounds in the moment

A simple trigger-word technique to refocus instantly after mistakes

Why learning “on the job” is unavoidable, and essential

How to collect real evidence of progress instead of reinforcing negative beliefs

What riders can learn from young horses when it comes to learning and mistakes



Resources Mentioned:

🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks

📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset

Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau

Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

Staying focused in competition sounds simple, until you’re actually in the warm-up, the arena, or the start box. Suddenly your attention is everywhere: Other riders. People watching. Results on the scoreboard. Thoughts about what might go wrong.

In this episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, we dive deep into what really steals riders’ focus in competition and, more importantly; how to get it back. Because focus isn’t about blocking everything out or trying harder. It’s about awareness, redirection, and having practical tools you can rely on in the moment.

In this episode, we cover:

Why “trying to focus” often makes things worse

The most common distractions riders face in competition

How comparison quietly pulls you out of the present moment

The difference between story thinking and action thinking

Why your nervous system reacts before you consciously realize it

Practical awareness points you can use mid-round or mid-test

How breath, vision, sound, and feel can anchor you back into the moment

Why your horse needs your presence, not your perfection

How to shift focus without adding more pressure

You’ll hear real, relatable examples from competition environments, from warm-ups to show jumping tracks to dressage arenas, and simple strategies riders can experiment with immediately.

This episode is for you if:

You get distracted by people watching or riding around you

You compare yourself to other competitors

You overthink distances, movements, or outcomes

You feel “too tense” or “too in your head” in competition

You want to stay focused on your ride, not everyone else’s

Focus isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s something you can train, redirect, and strengthen, just like any other skill.

Resources Mentioned:

🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks

📲Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset

Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau

Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

It’s that time of year again, reviewing your goals. And for many riders, this process doesn’t bring clarity or motivation… It brings disappointment, self-judgment, and the feeling of “I didn’t do enough.”

In this episode, we unpack how to review your goals in a way that actually builds confidence instead of breaking it, especially if you’re the kind of rider who sets big, ambitious goals and pushes yourself hard. Because here’s the truth: Most people don’t achieve their stretch goals. And that doesn’t mean they didn’t grow.

This conversation dives into the difference between results and progress, why outcome goals can be motivating and dangerous, and how to reflect on your season without falling into the “I failed” spiral.

Inside this episode, we explore:

Why most riders don’t achieve their goals, and why that’s not a problem

The danger of measuring your worth purely by results

How stretch goals are meant to drive growth, not self-criticism

Why progress often isn’t visible on a results sheet

The difference between outcome goals, performance goals, and process goals

How to review what was actually within your control

Why flexibility is a strength, not a setback

How stepping back can be the fastest way forward

The role ego plays in goal-setting and decision-making

Why kindness, patience, and trust are essential parts of progress

You’ll also hear real, honest examples of:

• Letting go of outcome goals mid-season

• Choosing long-term development over short-term validation

• Staying resilient when things feel like they’re falling apart

• Learning to measure success from the inside out

This episode is for you if:

You feel disappointed when reviewing your season

You struggle to separate progress from results

You’re afraid to set goals again after missing them

You want to grow without burning yourself out

You’re ready to build confidence that isn’t dependent on scores or placings

Progress doesn’t always look impressive on paper, but it’s always happening if you’re willing to look for it.

Resources Mentioned:

🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks

🧠 Apply for Coaching: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching

Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau

Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EquestrianPerformanceMindset

What happens when your identity becomes tied to performance? When results decide your worth? When trying harder stops working, and your mind becomes the biggest obstacle in your riding?

In this deeply honest and emotional episode, we explore what it looks like to lose yourself in pressure, expectation, and fear, and how true confidence is rebuilt from the inside out.

This conversation is about more than riding. It’s about self-worth, emotional regulation, trust, and learning how to be present again, both in the saddle and in life.

Inside this episode, we talk about:

Growing up with high expectations and tying self-worth to achievement

The hidden pressure high-achievers put on themselves (often without realizing it)

What happens when success comes early, and then disappears

Burnout, emotional lows, and feeling lost away from the sport you love

Why many riders struggle with fear of failure and fear of success

How your mind can get in the way even when the talent is there

The shift from results-driven riding to process-led performance

Learning to release judgment and soften self-criticism

How subconscious work and hypnosis can unlock confidence and clarity

The power of presence, slowing down mentally so time feels slower in the saddle

Moving from control to connection with your horse

Why flow state can’t be forced, only allowed

Finding inner peace, trust, and enjoyment again after pressure and pain

This episode is for the rider who:

• Feels stuck in their head

• Is tired of being hard on themselves

• Knows they have potential but can’t access it consistently

• Wants to enjoy riding again, without losing ambition At its core,

This conversation is a reminder of something many riders forget:

You don’t need to prove your worth through results. You don’t need to be perfect to be good enough. And confidence doesn’t come from control, it comes from trust. If you’ve ever felt like your mind was holding you back, this episode will help you feel less alone, and show you what’s possible when you finally stop fighting yourself.



Resources Mentioned:

🧠 Receive our weekly mindset & performance hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks

🧠 Apply for Hypno: https://www.mindeq.eu/hypnoapplication

Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau

Follow Lorna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornahogarth_coaching/

Follow Sophie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjaequestrian/