The Highs and Lows of Abilities
In my show-jumping days, I had sessions when my eye for a stride seemed impossible to get wrong. I could see it to a centimetre, like a focused beam of light right on the optimal take-off point, and it felt effortless. It’s a sensation that only those who love jumping will truly understand. I would see it with my eyes and feel it in my seat—a combination of confidence, alertness, relaxation, and calm. The jump became simply another big canter stride in our beautiful, powerful, rhythmical canter, inevitably reached in perfect balance.
But then there were rides when none of that seemed part of my physical or mental vocabulary. The canter didn’t feel quite right—never quite in front of my leg, never quite enough jump in the hind legs. My eyes saw nothing but a line of multiple possible take-off points, none of which matched the canter’s feel. Sometimes, I told myself it was because I was riding a different horse or that the horse just felt a little off and not keen to jump. But the truth was, most of the time, I was telling myself I was no good at it—that I simply "couldn’t see it".
The Negativity Bias
Even though, in years of jumping nearly every day, I had 20 good take-off days out of 30 in any given month and only 5–7 days where I struggled, the latter overshadowed everything. Subconsciously, I convinced myself I wasn’t any good—not even average. I always compared myself to my best days or everyone else’s good days. This was despite the fact that I had watched countless training sessions of Grand Prix riders at home—making mistakes, correcting them, and eventually getting things right. Yet, all I retained was the part where they got it right, not that they also made mistakes.
You might say I lacked mental resilience or a strong sports mindset. Perhaps I did. I was, however, very aware of how mindset influences ability and worked on it with generally reasonable results.
My real issue was that I always needed to know the “why.” Not knowing why these fluctuations happened drove me mad. Why could I feel invincible one day, as though I could jump 1.60m on a donkey, only to struggle the next week coordinating a powerful, talented warmblood over 90cm? The lack of understanding led me to conclude I was simply terrible at it, and I let the negativity bias of bad rides outweigh the good ones.
There are many out there who overcome this and don't need to know the "why" but for every one who does, there are far more who lose confidence and quit altogether....
The Hormonal Revelation
It wasn’t until many years later that I learned how powerfully hormonal changes influence female bodies, including athletic performance, physical coordination (on and off the saddle), confidence (on and off the saddle), and even depth perception*. If I had known then what I know now, I would have scheduled my rides differently and planned so that I could ride the highs of good days and reframe my mindset positively. Knowing the “why” would have changed the trajectory of my training in ways I probably can’t even imagine.
When I began considering hormonal changes as influential factors in riding and handling horses, many things clicked. I realised that week-one me (and my female clients) was not the same as week-four me (and my female clients). It was a revelation —like finding crucial missing pieces to a giant puzzle and finally seeing the full picture.
A Changing Perspective
At the start of 2024, the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) ran a female equestrian health focused campaign (click HERE for BEF podcast and look for Female Health February episodes) that highlighted hormonal influences.
The responses to the campaign on BEF's social media were fascinating—ranging from mild interest to outright dismissal or annoyance. Some called it excuse-making. Others, especially in podcast discussions, criticised it as another excuse for women’s performance issues in sport, suggesting riders should “just get on with it.”
This baffled me as a coach and as someone who seeks self-improvement and helps others improve. As a fellow coach—a man—put it when we discussed this topic: if he knew his testosterone/other hormones levels fluctuating could affect his performance as a rider and coach, he would use that information in five seconds flat.
The Power of Self-Knowledge
Our culture often avoids addressing menstruation or other cyclical changes in female bodies and minds, as if acknowledging them is a sign of weakness. Yet understanding these changes isn’t about excuses—it’s about unlocking better performance and fostering deeper connections with our horses. Whether you’re a rider focused on sport, recreational hacking, groundwork, or liberty pursuits, this knowledge provides invaluable insights. It helps explain why some days your communication with your horse feels seamless, while other days it’s a struggle. There is strength in understanding the natural rhythms of our bodies and minds, as well as those of our horses.
For me, recognising the link between hormonal cycles and performance was a lightbulb moment. It shifted my perspective from frustration to curiosity (not just in my own training but when coaching others too), empowering me to approach everything I did with my horses with greater self-awareness. This isn’t just about competitive riding—this knowledge can transform your approach no matter your discipline. By understanding how your cycle influences your physical, mental, and emotional states, you open the door to uncovering patterns that may otherwise remain hidden.
And there’s one simple yet powerful tool to begin this journey: journaling.
Your Menstrual Cycle and Riding: What Your Journal Can Teach You
The realisation that, in the context of riding or interactions with your horse, your body isn’t the same on Week 1 of your cycle as it is on Week 4 can feel revolutionary. When I began incorporating hormonal awareness into my coaching, I watched my students—and myself—make incredible breakthroughs.
Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about physical changes. It influences your emotional state, mental clarity, and even the subtleties of your communication with your horse.
Why Journaling Matters
Keeping a journal tailored to your cycle can help you identify patterns in your physical and emotional state. Over time, this knowledge becomes a guide to planning your rides, avoiding unnecessary frustration, and maximising your performance.
Here’s what to track:
Physical Patterns: Note your energy levels, muscle fatigue, and coordination. Are there days when you feel stronger or more agile?
Emotional Patterns: Document your mood and confidence levels. Do you feel more easily frustrated or self-critical at certain times?
Horse Dynamics: Observe how your horse responds to you. Are there days when communication flows easily or others when there’s more tension?
Insights from Research
Dr. Stacy Sims, a leading researcher in female health and performance, highlights how hormonal shifts impact everything from muscle recovery to cognitive function. For example:
In the follicular phase (the first half of your cycle), rising oestrogen levels can enhance coordination, energy, and focus. This is often the best time for technical training or challenging tasks.
During the luteal phase (the second half), increased progesterone can lead to slower reaction times and higher fatigue. These days are ideal for groundwork, light schooling, or focusing on connection rather than precision.
Making It Practical
By journaling these patterns, you take the guesswork out of planning your horse time. For example, if you notice that Week 3 consistently brings lower energy, you can schedule lower-pressure sessions. Similarly, if Week 1 is your peak performance period, you can plan with your coach the type of lesson content that truly challenges you and schedule clinics or competitions accordingly.
If a clinic or competition falls in a week where you know your strengths don’t lie in peak physical performance, but you still want to participate, you can prepare yourself mentally and set goals that take these factors into account.
Shifting the Narrative
As riders, we often strive to control every aspect of our performance. Recognising the natural ebb and flow of our bodies isn’t an excuse; it’s a strategy. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and embracing the knowledge that our bodies are our allies—not obstacles to overcome.
Bridging the Gap Between You and Your Horse
When you understand your cycle, you also become more attuned to how your energy affects your horse. Horses are mirrors, responding to the subtlest shifts in our mood and body language. Journaling helps you spot these connections, deepening your bond and improving your rides, even on challenging days.
The Takeaway
Your journal isn’t just a record—it’s a tool for growth, awareness, and self-compassion. By tracking your physical and emotional rhythms, you can create a training plan that aligns with your body, honours your horse, and builds your confidence.
So, why not start today?
Let your journal teach you what your body and your horse have been trying to tell you all along.
RESOURCES & FURTHER LEARNING
*Hormonal fluctuations, particularly variations in oestrogen and progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle, can influence visual functions, including depth perception. These hormonal changes can affect the cornea's thickness and curvature, leading to alterations in how light is refracted into the eye, potentially causing blurred vision and impacting depth perception. Understanding these hormonal influences is crucial for individuals engaged in activities requiring precise visual coordination, such as equestrian sports. Recognising the impact of hormonal cycles on vision can aid in better planning and optimising performance during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Bonus:
How 'spacial awareness' affects your training - with visual expert Rob Gevers
(listen HERE to listen)
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