AngloSwiss: September 2023

With a visiting teenager on 16^th September coached for 5 minutes on the inner game of tennis, particularly:

· the need to quieten any critical inner voice,

· focus with intent but relaxed concentration on the next ball and how you want to hit it,

· allow the play to be done by your trusted self which has the instinct to make the best shot,

· welcome any errors as a part of your development.

Link: The Inner Game of Tennis, by W. Timothy Gallwey

A bit less than 2 days later, a public holiday in parts of Swizerland, here is the WhatsApp exchange, initially with the proud and yet anxious mum who was sending me nearly live videos:

Mum: 6 out of 61, First round🙈🥲

Higher jump🙌😂👍🥰: The airbag went off with a bang….

£30 for new cartridge🙈 We’re so glad no injuries

First fall in a competition I think? Although gutted got back on and beat most of them

7 out of 61 in the end; All older

Zero Faults 2nd jump round!!

Jim: Great job, I’m happy and relieved that unhurt. It was a truly sudden refusal that the mount pulled, the laws of Physics gave only one possible consequence.

So very impressive to remount and finish well, not least in the second round after a wait when it would have been possible to sabotage oneself by dwelling on it. Bravo 🙌 👏

Jim

Teenager: Hi Jim this is me, thank you very much 😃

Took one jump at a time on the second round like a tennis match 😂

Jim: You can feel very proud of that, not many people can focus on their inner game as you did, and I feel sure that recalling the experience will serve you long into the future.

Very best wishes,

Jim

P.S. For much fuller equestrian coaching, maybe consider:
The Equestrian Mental Coach - How to let go of self criticism and improve your mental game