When the Score Doesn't Match the Ride - #252
Have you ever walked out of a dressage test thinking, “That actually felt really good!”… only to see your score and wonder, “How on earth did I get that?” You’re not alone.
In this episode of the Equestrian Performance Mindset Podcast, I and Lorna dive into one of the most frustrating experiences in equestrian sport: when your performance feels like it deserved more than the score you received. Because sometimes, the frustration isn’t about comparing yourself to another rider. It’s about knowing how much work you’ve put in, feeling genuine improvement in your horse and your riding, and then seeing a number on a piece of paper that doesn’t seem to reflect that progress. And yes, it’s okay to be frustrated. You don’t have to pretend that the result doesn’t matter. You don’t have to convince yourself that you shouldn’t care. And you certainly don’t have to immediately “just focus on the positives.” Instead, the key is learning how to feel the frustration without allowing it to take over the rest of your competition.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Why a disappointing score can feel so frustrating when you know you’ve improved
- The difference between progression and results
- Why judges only see a snapshot of your performance, not the journey behind it
- How to use honest feedback from the people around you
- Why your support team should be supportive and honest
- How comparing your score to another rider can pull you into an unhelpful mindset
- How to become curious about a disappointing mark rather than judging yourself
- What to do when something feels better than it looks to the judge
- Why progress can sometimes be felt before it can be visibly seen
- How to acknowledge frustration without letting it ruin the rest of your competition
- Practical ways to refocus before show jumping or cross country
- How journaling, talking it through, or simply “parking” the result can help you move forward
- Why you should still be proud of yourself, your horse and the partnership you’re building
Resources Mentioned:
Coaching & support: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching
Weekly Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks
Follow Jocelin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelinlillienau
