Wow - I’m sorry it’s been a while since we published my last proper blog, I’m sure you can work out the reason! So here’s one I wrote six weeks into lockdown and there’s also a second one that is right up to date. I hope you enjoy reading them.

Soph x

So 2020 is a very big year, but not in the way we had planned... Rather than everything being focused around getting to Tokyo, it’s been turned upside down for everyone and this year is certainly bigger than any Olympics or Paralympics. I have to say I was really disappointed for Tokyo to be moved, but it was the only option as it just couldn’t go ahead this year and health is absolutely more important than sport. However a lot of focus is always put on the next Paralympics, which is the overriding goal every 4 years. Every day decisions are based on that one competition, rightly or wrongly, it’s the way performance sport works. So this has had a huge effect on most people involved.

We are about to finish week 6 of lockdown. And it certainly has been lots of change for everyone to get their head around, myself included. It is the coronavirus roller coaster of emotions. The fact that we are all in this together is of some comfort. No one really knows the answers, except for staying home and staying safe. The world as we know it, and have truly taken for granted, is no longer that.

Unfortunately due to not being able to teach, I’ve had to reduce my staff down by 75% and I’ve had to fill that gap myself plus do the riding. So lockdown definitely hasn’t involved baking banana bread and sorting drawers like I’ve seen on social media. Rather it’s been full of looking after our precious horses, and tending to their every need whilst trying to keep routine, structure, positivity, and still be performance driven in the choices I make. I thought in the beginning I would find it quite easy, I’ve always seen myself more of an animal person than a people person. But I only got to week two before I realised I was mistaken.... always learning! Technology has been our saving grace, keeping in touch with people is possible, and some people have really gone above and beyond to keep conversations going and a supportive environment.

It’s humbling really, to have the horses and my little dog Tia around, they have no idea what’s going on in the world, and are more than happy to continue in their own routine, which hasn’t actually changed.

Apart from not going to competitions and away to training, the horses have continued their training plan as pretty much normal. They all go in the arena four times a week to train, they have one day off and then the other two days are a mix of hacking when it’s safe to do so around my family’s farm, and lunging.

Each individual horse has their own training plan, as they are at such different stages of their career and training level. The only really established one is Jorge, however due to having three months off at the end of last year I thought it would be best for him to continue in training and improving the things that have been highlighted. The other horses are earlier in their careers and some are new to me, so every horse has really benefitted from some concentrated time at home without having to be competition ready the following week. They all have different periodisation, certain weeks they work harder, some weeks I chose basics to work on, which is more mental than physical training, like corners or straightness for example. And they all had week five off as we were meant to be in Belgium, so some of them would have been off anyway. And they enjoyed the sunshine and the spring grass! We have mixed it up with some pole work too which they all find fun.

I have to admit at the moment I don’t miss the competition side of things, it’s only been six weeks, and personally I don’t compete for motivation or feedback as such. I’m definitely one of my own biggest critics. Competing is more of a test to see if we can take the training into a more pressured environment and obviously see how far we can go. I do very much miss the social side of it though, not seeing people out and about, and the adrenaline rush of competition, particularly at the high level. But for now, I’m staying very much process driven and enjoying that, which is so important when we do get back out competing again. It’s easy to get distracted by marks, placings, comments when competing and that takes you to a more outcome driven place, which for me I know isn’t a great place!

When I have had help on the yard I’ve tried to get some video of the horses for their owners and riders, but also for myself to coach myself as well! Looking back at past videos in training and competition is great to remind you of what you need to work on and to check progress.

It’s great to reflect on what worked last year and gain feedback from those in your troop who you respect and value, and those who will be honest. There’s definitely more time now for most of us to have those conversations. And for me they really help. I have done a reflection piece from the last few major championships since Rio. And it’s been invaluable to get that feedback. Sometimes it’s just observations from those around you that can be insightful. Some call it your blind spot. As someone that strives to be better all the time, I want that feedback, even if it’s a hard truth sometimes. They are often the things that can make a difference. Picking up on the positives that you can replicate again are also really important. It’s too easy to just be relieved and grateful that you pulled it off but not look at how you did it. This relates to many walks of life.

If you want to ask people for feedback I’ve found that structuring it into questions to prompt thinking, can help. I also split it into sections such as, training on horse, warm up, test, physical (body related whether strengths and weaknesses in your position etc), mindset, nutrition, logistics / time management etc. And you can do the same for the horse. It can be endless, but just pick a few things and start from there. Not everyone will want to give you feedback, and that’s ok, but hopefully the people that matter will be willing. Sometimes a phone conversation based around the questions is easier for someone to give the feedback, and write some notes. Just find what works for you and your team. Due to quite a lot of time mucking out, I’ve found podcasts really insightful, educational and a good distraction. My brain often needs to be pushed and challenged, and with much less human interaction without the teaching, this has really helped to keep my brain active and develop my thinking around performance sport and the lessons we can all learn from that in life too!

I’ve tried to keep on top of my own fitness and strength and conditioning, instead of my 6am gym sessions during the week, they were being replaced with working from home either with a small amount of equipment, some running around our village, my spin bike, boxing, 1-1 personal training sessions with Darren via zoom and group training too. As well as some yoga to help relaxation and stretch my fairly achy body after quite Intensive days.

It’s also been really great to have some Zoom meetings with fellow coaches from the youth coaching pathway I completed last year. A Facebook group was set up and it’s great to have that community and keep challenging ourselves and each other, from all different disciplines. I feel very lucky to have been part of the course, and for it to have continued in a less formal manner is inspiring. I love learning and developing, and it’s great to know people with a similar interest!

I hope you all are coping and adapting. This won’t last forever. And try and see the things that are a bit easier to see when life slows down a bit. Appreciating the small things and the people we have around us (even if not physically close right now) are all we need really.

Take care, Soph x