by Tonya Johnston, MA Appeared in The Plaid Horse, March 2010 It’s a dark night outside, and you are bundled into your hotel. Tomorrow you have to be at the show grounds at ____ (early!!). Your most important class goes first, and you are hoping you feel...
by Tonya Johnston, MA appeared Eventing USA, July/August 2008 OK, let’s not pretend. Famous or not, international or local – it has happened to all of us. You know it, I know it, your friends, family and trainers know it. (Heck, it has even happened to...
by Tonya Johnston, MA appeared in The Plaid Horse, September 2009 You jump the last fence in your course and make your closing circle. As the applause dies down (yes, there was lots of whooping and clapping) you exit the ring giving your horse a pat on the neck. What...
by Tonya Johnston, MA Appeared in Eventing USA September/October 2009 People’s knowledge about the field of sport psychology and specific performance enhancement techniques can vary quite a bit. This breadth of information can range from the basics (“What...
by Tonya Johnston, MA appeared in Eventing USA Magazine, July/August 2009 What do you think you can accomplish on a horse? Do you believe you can be calm and focused in your stadium round next week? Are you going to get strong enough to sit your horse’s trot for more...
by Tonya Johnston, MA appeared in The Plaid Horse, August 2009 In the ideal world you are always confident, focused and positive right before you go in the ring. However, most of us live a world with a bit more variety. Some days are terrific, some not-so-good. How...
by Tonya Johnston, MA appeared in Eventing USA Magazine, July/August 2009 My last article on communication focused on the way you communicate with yourself. The goal was to help explore your core beliefs, your self talk, the use of affirmations, and changing negative...
by Tonya Johnston, MA appeared in Eventing Magazine September/October 2008 Think back to the best clinics you have ever attended. (If you have never gone to a clinic, try to recall terrific lessons from your past.) What memories stand out from those experiences? Why...
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,...
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...
