The art of a successful performance review

Results verses Performance – Are you your own worst enemy?

I’ve just come back from the British Showjumping Spring Championships at Addington Equestrian and whilst I had a great day it has got me thinking about how we analyse our competition outings and whether the performance review process can have a negative effect rather than a positive one. It’s well known in sports psychology that we should focus on our performance during the reflection process rather than the results that we achieved. But as there are many so different ways you can look at the same thing, which method is best?

I finished 9^th in my class as the fastest 4 faulter. A great result given that:

* This is the first time jumping at this height in an outdoor arena.

* The last time I competed was 3 weeks ago and I haven’t jumped a fence since then
  (I have been on holiday and Rodney has been in the very capable hands of my trainer).

* I am obviously riding more efficiently across the track given we were the fastest 4 faulter
  as I didn’t take any turns or gallop to make up time.

* We popped the baby open water fence as if we jump these types of fences all the time
  (this was the first time we have met this type of obstacle).

* Rodney was happy and confident and well within his comfort zone.

But if we look at the performance side it’s not so positive. Here’s why:

I am extremely fortunate that Rodney has had an exemplary upbringing – he does as he is asked without question with very few ad lib or freestyle moments. He is Mr Predictable. As a rider this is possibly the best trait a horse can ever have. But the downside to this is that the rider must do their job properly and at all times. It is an added pressure that I am having to learn to cope with, along with the fact that as an amateur I feel like an intruder at these more prolific competitions. I know my role as a rider and yet I still approached the first fence without being completely organised. And so, we “did a Rodney”- he dropped his shoulder on the approach, wobbled and left a leg on the back rail. The 4 faults came from the first fence and it was entirely my fault. I am still kicking myself for it.

There are clearly many positive elements to take from this outing and I mustn’t dwell on the one mistake that I made, although I am finding that tricky. Perhaps our default review basis should be Nelson Mandela’s famous quote:

“I never lose. I either win or I learn.”

I did pull myself together and the rest of the round was a corker! Moving on from here my homework is to learn how long 45 seconds really is. Is the panic of hearing the bell an old habit raising its ugly head? My little graded horse Smartie Sometimes had a delightful habit of stopping at the first fence. Was this his way of telling me that I had started before I was completely ready? Probably. I’m glad that Rodney is not as wilful.

One thing that I have no doubt about however, is that I am incredibly lucky to have a horse like Rodney. I treasure every moment with him and if I am going to have a ‘sack the jockey’ moment, it is better now in an ordinary class than in our second round competitions where the results have a slightly different meaning.

Onwards and upwards!

How my working day translates to success in the ring

Longines Global Champion Tour  & Global Champions League of London      3^rd – 5^th August 2018

Wow. What class. A historic weekend for showjumping. The best of the best were in London this weekend, Britain’s best town, in one of London’s iconic settings, Royal Hospital Chelsea and the title was taken by Great Britain’s very own Scott Brash. But no one seems to know?! Why is this not mainstream headline news?!

I took the weekend out to go and ogle at my idols, breathe in the atmosphere and soak up a bit more of this gloriously unexpected Great British Summer. Credit must be given to the show organisers; it really was the best competition I’ve been to as a spectator. With an access [nearly] all areas vibe, you could watch the warm up and with unreserved seating you could choose to either sit in the covered grandstand or ring-side, right in the thick of the action. I now have a true understanding of just how jaw-droppingly big and wide a 1.60m track is! I even had the chance to watch the riders walk the course, pacing out the distances, making a plan. It then occurred to me that all the key attributes these riders have, nerves of steel, the ability to make a plan and adjust it in a flash, are all things that I practice on a day to day basis, just in a different setting.

My role as an Executive Assistant involves making sure all aspects of the business are operating smoothly and efficiently. With staff based across 5 sites there are a lot of variables! Tensions can and do run high so having the ability to remain calm under pressure is key. This definitely helps me on show days, especially when tackling the warm up arena.

I build relationships daily, in the office and at the yard. A well-trained horse will perform for you, but your best friend will dig that bit deeper for you should things not go quite to plan. I don’t believe in skill or luck alone.

As an amateur it is easy to feel threatened by riders who spend more time in the saddle than you but thanks to LGCT I feel an affinity to my idols and the dream is that little bit closer. Sometimes, less is more. You can learn just as much out of the saddle as in it.

(photo Juien Epaillard & Usual Suspect d'Auge, FRA)

Helen Francis Amateur Showjumper

Hi! I’m Helen Francis. Welcome to my blog! 

I am an amateur showjumper, amateur in the French sense of the word, for the love of the sport and not the English “a little bit s**t” Credit to Clare Balding for that fabulous expression – it tickles me!

For me, you can’t beat the buzz of tackling a challenge with your best friend. #2hearts2minds. 

I find the world of showjumping both glamorous and humbling and I can’t get enough of it. As riders we are always at the mercy of our horses’ amazingly kind hearts; I am grateful for every minute they allow me to spend training with them.

Jumping great rounds takes power, precision and partnership. I love learning the personalities of my horses. My first graded horse Smartie Sometimes knew exactly when he had gone through the finish line. He would stop, stretch his nose out as far as he could and amble out of the ring. It took longer to leave than it did to jump round! But there was no hurrying him, this was his time to admire his audience and he was going to savour every moment, thank you very much!

My blog will keep you up to date with my progress in combining a professional career with a full time hobby. My horses give me a reason to get up in the morning. What's yours?!