When I moved out of corporate coaching and started working with horse riders on their mental skills and helping them to develop healthier mindsets for sport and for life, I talked much more about how to make performance count, how to win more classes, and how to learn the mental skills that sports psychologists were writing case studies about.

I kind of "glossed over" personal growth and self awareness, because back then, riders wanted results. Parents wanted more prizes and coaches wanted their careers to take off in the teaching space, by having successful students in the arena.

Self awareness is one of the most powerful tools riders have at their disposal. In equestrian sports, where connection and harmony with your horse are key, understanding yourself is just as important, if not more so, than understanding your horse.

But what does it really mean? Lets dive into the concept of self awareness and explore why its vital for a successful coaching process, whether with your technical riding coach in a lesson, on your own in the show arena, or working on your mental skills with your mindset coach. Without it, or at least the willingness to self reflect and learn more about yourself, you become "un-coachable", because you assume you already know everything you need to know.

Self awareness is the ability to recognise and understand your own thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Or, in Forging Ahead language, Awareness is the starting place to notice your Behaviours, so that you can see what you need to Change, so that you will have a Different result (ABCD model)

For riders, greater understanding of how mood, energy and body language influence your horse, is the first part of developing greater self awareness. You can only change what you know about, and many of us are blissfully unaware of the impact of ourselves on our horses.

Horses are incredibly perceptive animals. They pick up on subtle shifts in your mood, energy and tension in your body. So that awkward conversation with your boss about your looming deadline just before you dashed out to make your lesson on time, goes straight down your hands to your horse's mouth. Self awareness is the piece that recognises that and makes good decisions when you are frazzled and upset.

Here are some ways you can benefit from increasing self awareness:

• Improves communication. Greater awareness of your body language makes your aids, signals and cues clearer

• Enhances emotional control. Recognising your emotions allows you to manage frustration, fear or anxiety before it affects your horse.

• Builds trust. When you are calm and confident, so is your horse

• Strengthens focus. Identify and eliminate distractions, stay present and connected during your ride

Do you struggle with self awareness without realising it? Here are some common signs:

• Blaming your horse for mistakes without reflecting on your own role

• feeling frustrated when your horse doesn't respond as expected

• Overreacting to situations, creating tension in the saddle or on the ground

• Struggling to adjust your riding style to suit your horse's needs, or different horses

Do any of these resonate? Don't worry, everyone can develop more self awareness. Its a skill that can be practiced!

Your horse is your mirror. When you're calm, focussed and intentional, your horse will likely reflect those qualities. Conversely, if you're tense, anxious or distracted, your horse may react with resistance or confusion.

Developing self awareness allows you to adjust your approach, build trust and create a partnership where both you and your horse feel supported and understood.

In competition, self awareness helps you manage nerves, stay focussed, and perform at your best. Instead of getting caught up in external pressures or mistakes, or bent out of shape about things you can't control anyway, you can centre yourself and focus on what really matters: the connection with your horse and the task at hand.

This is by no means a quick fix! Self awareness is a lifelong journey. It takes time to develop and refine your skill. Its not about being perfect. Its about being present, authentic and willing to grow. As you become more self aware, you will notice profound changes - not just in your riding, but in your relationship with your horse, as well as with all the other people in your life.

I believe strongly that self awareness is a cornerstone of mental skills coaching. This is why I'm bringing the equestrian enneagram back into the Forging Ahead Academy for 2026. We are all going to be looking at who we are, and how to deal with ourselves on good, bad and ugly days! I would love to help you strengthen this important aspect of your own growth.

Schedule a free introductory call with me today, and lets talk about the ways your coaching journey could unfold.