by Tonya Johnston, MA
Appeared in Showbiz Magazine, May/June 2009

It’s safe to say that getting a junior rider to the ring is a team effort that includes a lot of parental support. Whether it is emotional support, organization, time management, transportation, financial backing - or a big mix of all of these factors, most juniors owe a big debt of gratitude to their parents for making their competitive lives workable and successful. Now, does that mean that the team cohesion between parent and child is perfect and the team runs like a Swiss watch? Perhaps, but it is also possible that the parent-child relationship as it relates to horse shows could benefit from a small tune-up now and then.

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By Tonya Johnston, MA
Appeared in The Plaid Horse, May 2009

Chipped so hard to the first jump it made the earth move? Rode around the warm-up ring for 20 minutes with a mane comb stuck in your horse’s tail? Forgot the halt after the trot jump in the work-off after going in on top? We’ve all been there - well, maybe not to exactly the same places - but certainly every rider has their own list of forgettable moments; if only we could forget them! Why do they seem to stick like glue to our memory banks? Why do they insidiously creep into our thoughts at the most inopportune times?

Letting go of these types of ‘oops’ moments after they have occurred is important. Like the hard drive on a computer, our brains only have so much space in which to be productive. When these unproductive memories start to clog the memory bank and negatively affect our core beliefs (e.g. “I always mess up to the first fence.”) we begin to severely limit our performance potential. So, how can you let go of these moments once and for all? Read on. read more »

By Tonya Johnston, MA
Appeared in Eventing USA, January/February 2009

If I had a dollar for every time one of my clients told me how much they hate the warm-up ring, I would be writing this article while floating in my infinity pool that overlooks the ocean on my ranch in Northern California. read more »

by Tonya Johnston
Appeared in Eventing USA March/April 2009

Have you ever felt wildly misunderstood by your ______ (horse, trainer, or friend)? Have you ever been too hard on yourself? Have you ever reflected on your communication skills and wished you could do better? In riding there are two things that are essential in communicating effectively: sharing your thoughts clearly and saying things that serve you as a rider. When you communicate well you are easily understood and your messages support your efforts to be an excellent horseperson.
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By Tonya Johnston, MA
Appeared in The Plaid Horse January/February 2009

Can you remember when you first did a full jumper division, including the Sunday classic? Or your initial outing in the open equitation division? What about your debut in the short stirrup hunters? Many of these first times are memorable not only for the accomplishments they represent, but for the determination and perseverance you utilized in order to get there. You set your sights on doing something new, gathered up your courage, and went for it!

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by Tonya Johnston, MA
Appeared in Showbiz January/February 2009

Riders of all ages and abilities share something that helps them strive for excellence in the ring: good old fashioned competitive fire. Passion to succeed will vary widely by person, but the ability to harness it, for every rider, is one of the most important things a rider can learn.
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By Tonya Johnston, MA
Appeared in The Plaid Horse October 2008

Horse shows are always challenging, but some carry more weight for us than others. Let’s face it; a local A-show will not have the same impact as a medal final you have never been to or your first time at indoors, right? Happy feelings of excitement and enthusiasm can often morph unexpectedly into their negative counterpart: pressure.  This shift can come from our own desire to excel, from the high energy environment, expectations from those around us - a vast array of places. The most important thing to be aware of is that pressure, if not addressed, can have negative and potentially debilitating effects on our focus and performance.
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by Tonya Johnston
Appeared in Eventing USA May/June 2008

“Why do you ride and compete?” Ask two people that question and you are sure to get different answers. However, what is most important is for you to understand your own reasons for eventing. Therefore, in this article we will explore why you ride and compete. We will examine both the value you place on competition (your philosophy) and your drive to take action (your motivation). read more »

by Tonya Johnston
Appeared in Equine Wellness May/June 2008

In order to handle your show nerves successfully, it is helpful have some strategies in place before you even get there. Use the following five performance tools to reduce your nervous energy and channel the remaining good energy into things that can help you in the ring.

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by Tonya Johnston
Appeared in The Plaid Horse, April 2008

It is not unusual for riders to approach a lesson differently than a class at a horse show. Unfortunately, this discrepancy does little to help them make the most of their skills in the show ring, when it counts. We have all heard the phrase, “You play the way you practice.” So how can you handle your lesson challenges in a way that strengthens the mindset you strive for at horse shows?

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