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Do you bring your own spectators to competitions? And how does that feel? We all have people who take part in our everyday training. They watch the training from the ground and in a different perspective. For them it can be difficult to not comment. These are the same people who come to cheer you on at competitions. We have put together four types of spectators – do you recognize any?
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"Is that really my daughter !?" or “Wauw – my son is so cool!”. This is something you can hear a rider's father say to the other spectators when he looks impressed on the sideline. Either he knows everything, or he knows absolutely nothing about what you are doing. No matter what, he does not doubt you, and he likes to brag that you are his offspring. When he puts on his sunglasses and proudly follows you out of the arena. At times, he is actually so impressed with you that you are not quite sure if he even knows what a relatively dangerous sport it is that you have thrown your love at. The impressed spectators at competitions always create joy and optimism, and you like that.
Cheerful and uninhibited, your stable friends stand on the sidelines and shout: “Come on! You can do it!”. With your own little cheerleading team on the other side of the fence, you feel really lucky.
But you might also feel a little embarrassed. No one at the venue is in doubt about who you know. And no other spectators come to training when your friends are there. Wonder why? Yes, because they take up quite a lot of space, but in return, they also fill up your heart with go-ahead and warmth. Their support is simply priceless. And you look forward to be cheering on one of them one day.
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"No, not so high!", "Watch out" or "Are you sure it's a good idea?". This could be the comments from your mother when your trainer chooses to raise the polls to 120 cm. Or when he or she asks you to sign your horse to compete in a difficult dressage program for the first time.
The nervous spectator is a nerve wreck and does not exactly contribute to your courage and your self-confidence. However, you are also aware that he or she is helping to instill a certain amount of realistic sense in you. It can also be quite useful. You know that all the worries stem from an unusual amount of love for just you.
The skeptic one of your personal spectators at competitions is a very analytical person. He or she is always thinking on how to improve your performance. It could very well be your coach.
Even when you're about to fall off, or the horse is doing the wildest elevator jump. Or when you end up last in a difficult group in the dressage competition, your trainer keeps the cool look. And when you are done with your ride, you simply cannot figure out what he or she thinks about it. Was it really good or the worst ever? Nobody knows. Only your coach. But it's actually only good, because when your pushy coach is present, you're more likely to try extra hard. Your trainer is your rock and your quiet motivator.
