Confident Nerves - Rider Tips by Emily King
We caught up with Emily King, our talented and long-term Hiho Silver Sponsored Rider, now that the British Eventing season is well under way and the promise of another world-class Badminton Horse Trials is on the horizon. This year, the international event celebrates its 75th year with 11 nations set to be represented at this year’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials from the 8th-12th May.
Emily King has been dedicated to training with Valmy Biats since we last spoke and has since won the CCI4* Lycetts Grantham Cup and more recently taken 4th place in the CCI4*-S at Burnham Market. We are sure you’ll agree, these are incredible results, and we can’t wait to support Emily and Valmy at Badminton next week.
Whilst Emily makes these monstrous fences in both the showjumping and cross-country phases look like a breeze or the intricate manoeuvres of the dressage tests seem effortless, we know that there is so much work, physically and mentally that goes into preparing for and riding at this level. Nerves of steel is a phrase that comes to mind, and we were curious about whether or not our sponsored rider is immune to them, or has a few secrets up the sleeves of her base layers for tackling, and whipping them into line.
Read on to find out more about Emily King's confident nerves.
Emily, do you still get nervous at these big competitions, even at your level?
“Yeah, I think surely everyone does. Though, I am learning that nerves are good for you. They heighten your reflexes and your way of feeling. Learning to cope with your nerves is one of the hardest tasks to master but it can be so valuable."
How do we do that?
"It comes with the more exposure you have to high pressure situations" says Emily. Whilst simulating a competition style cross country or showjumping round at home is tricky, Emily says that whether she is at a smaller show, or one of the big guns like Badminton or Burghley, she concentrates on the things she can control.
“It’s so easy to get wrapped up in thinking that everything hinges on this round, or focusing on all the people in the crowd and how embarrassing it might be if you muck it up. But if you focus on the simple things that you can control like in showjumping for example; maintaining a good canter, your straightness and balance and all the tiny little things, I get my mind to focus on and then before you know it you’ve finished and the nerves have barely had a chance to rear their head.
I’d be lying though if I said I didn’t get nervous. I would get nervous, I’d try and use it to enhance my way of riding than not, it’s easier said than done but I am trying and that’s all we can do, isn’t it?”
“It’s so easy to get wrapped up in thinking that everything hinges on this round, or focusing on all the people in the crowd and how embarrassing it might be if you muck it up. But if you focus on the simple things that you can control like in showjumping for example; maintaining a good canter, your straightness and balance and all the tiny little things, I get my mind to focus on and then before you know it you’ve finished and the nerves have barely had a chance to rear their head.
I’d be lying though if I said I didn’t get nervous. I would get nervous, I’d try and use it to enhance my way of riding than not, it’s easier said than done but I am trying and that’s all we can do, isn’t it?”
On the topic of good luck superstitions, and pre and post ride routines, Emily says:
“I consciously try not to have good luck superstitions or lucky charms, as if it wasn’t there or whatever, I’d feel anxious and that would affect my attitude towards the ride. I do a lot of visualising, no matter what competition, phase, or horse I’m competing. With the top horses like Valmy and Jackpot, before we do whatever phase, I’d sit down, close my eyes, and go through my dressage test. It sounds bizarre, I know but I’d sit on the toilet in my lorry with all my kit on and I’d do stuff with my legs, seat, and arms, mimicking what I’d be doing if I was riding. I would do this for the length of the time the dressage test or round would take me and feel everything. I’d practice if he was to react to something, how I’d react, and almost train myself as much as possible before I even get onto the Horse. I’d do that with all the horses in each of the phases for whatever show it is.”
When it comes to post ride, Emily explains how her own unofficial routine helps to quell the adrenaline pumping post phase, “it’s a routine, especially if it hasn’t gone to plan. I can’t get too self-absorbed in the ride. Caring for the horse before anything else gives you time for the emotions to slightly die down before you debrief and reflect."
She goes on to say, “It’s straight up all about the horse no matter what discipline we’ve finished whether it has gone well or not, we tend to them first before we debrief. Even at the lower levels you rarely see people just jumping off and handing horses over to grooms. We put so much into them; we really do treat them much better than ourselves most of the time.”
She goes on to say, “It’s straight up all about the horse no matter what discipline we’ve finished whether it has gone well or not, we tend to them first before we debrief. Even at the lower levels you rarely see people just jumping off and handing horses over to grooms. We put so much into them; we really do treat them much better than ourselves most of the time.”
With Badminton kicking off next week, we asked Emily to describe the feeling of cantering around the big 5-star cross country tracks, to try and give you, our customers an insight into the experience, here is what she had to say:
“I mean it’s the most incredible feeling, I am super sporty and do other things, but still nothing can simulate the feeling of flying around those big tracks. We walk the course numerous times and go over it in our minds, but when you’re just going and it flows, and the horse is with you, you’re so in the moment and it’s gone before you realise. Being at one with your horse is such an amazing feeling and having an animal trust you that much is a remarkable thing. Mum (Mary King) always says: nothing compares to doing cross country.”
All being well, Emily King and Valmy Biats will be competing at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials from 8th - 12th May at Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire, culminating with the cross country on Sunday 12th. We wish her, Valmy and all the horse and rider combinations the very best of luck and can’t wait to see this year’s competition.
You can find the Hiho Silver stand on Deer Park Drive, stand number 188, look for our branded flags! This event holds a special place in our Hiho calendar as we have been exhibiting here for nearly 30 years and have been the official Jewellers of the Badminton Horse Trials since 2018. Plus, it’s our 30th anniversary this year, keep your eyes peeled for some special products in celebration.
You can find the Hiho Silver stand on Deer Park Drive, stand number 188, look for our branded flags! This event holds a special place in our Hiho calendar as we have been exhibiting here for nearly 30 years and have been the official Jewellers of the Badminton Horse Trials since 2018. Plus, it’s our 30th anniversary this year, keep your eyes peeled for some special products in celebration.