In the world of competitive riding, it’s easy to let disappointment cloud your confidence. One bad round, one unlucky rail, and suddenly you’re questioning everything. But what if there was a mindset shift that could turn those tough moments into powerful fuel for growth? That’s exactly what we explore in the latest episode of The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast, titled “Bouncing Back from Basel: Kevin Staut, Stoicism, and the Science of Self-Belief.”
Kevin Staut’s Wisdom in the Wake of Disappointment
After a tough round in Basel, Olympic show jumper Kevin Staut shared something profound:
“The only thing I can control is the quality of my riding.”
It wasn’t about blaming the course or conditions. It wasn’t about results. It was about ownership—and it struck a chord. Because in those few words, Kevin summed up a powerful truth that every rider needs to hear: success starts with what’s inside your control.
The Ancient Power of Stoicism—In the Saddle
That mindset? It’s Stoicism in action. A 2,000-year-old philosophy rooted in focusing only on what we can control and letting go of everything else. Weather? The draw order? A shaky warm-up round? Those things are out of your hands.
But what is in your control is:
- Your focus
- Your rhythm
- Your connection with your horse
- Your mindset at the in-gate
When you shift your energy to those things, something remarkable happens: you stop riding from fear, and start riding from freedom.
Why Most Riders Struggle—And How to Flip the Script
Most riders get caught chasing outcomes—placings, ribbons, clear rounds. But this constant pursuit creates anxiety, pressure, and disconnection. And that tension? It travels straight down the reins to your horse.
By focusing instead on the quality of your riding, you reclaim your calm, build unshakable trust in yourself, and preserve your joy—even when things don’t go to plan.
Tool for the Week: Draw Your Control Circle
Try this simple yet powerful mental reset:
- Draw a circle.
- Inside, write everything you can control (your breath, your plan, your response).
- Outside, list the things you can’t (scores, other riders, footing).
- Before your ride, glance at your circle and say:
“My focus stays inside this circle.”
It’s a small practice—but it has the power to completely change how you show up in the saddle.
Affirmations That Work—Because They're Based in Truth
Backed by neuroscience, affirmations help rewire your brain for confidence and clarity. But they only work if they’re believable and grounded in what you control.
Try these:
- “I ride with feel and clarity.”
- “My breath anchors my body. My body anchors my horse.”
- “I trust my preparation. I trust my partnership.”
These aren’t fluffy mantras—they’re mental training for calm, focused performance.
Bonus Guided Visualisation: Ride the Moment
To help you take all of this to the next level, I’ve recorded a 10-minute guided visualisation and affirmation practice—a short bonus episode designed to calm your mind, center your body, and reconnect you with your horse.
You can use it before a competition, during a warm-up, or even in the truck on the way to the show.
Find Ride the Moment right after this episode in the podcast feed.
Rider Challenge of the Week
This week, write your own affirmation—based on something you can control.
Say it before every ride. Post it in your tack room. Let it become your mental anchor.
And if it helps? Share it in the Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast Facebook Community. It’s a space where equestrians like you are learning to ride with intention, not fear—and supporting each other along the way.
If this blog resonated with you, take a moment to tune into the full episode and the bonus visualisation. Because whether you’re in the warm-up ring or working through a setback, the ride you’re seeking starts in your mind