Does Listening to Music Help Horse Show Performance?

I have been reading a lot of studies lately that examine the effect of music on the pre-performance mental and emotional states of athletes. Should I be cranking up the tunes as part of my pre-ride routine?

You don’t have to be a researcher to know that music can influence your athletic performance. It can be an integral part of your pre-ride routine that helps you hit that sweet spot (“the zone”) in the preparation of your mind and body.

How can you use music to guide yourself into your preferred pre-ride state?

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Some riders use it to control nerves. Upbeat lyrics can inspire a more positive focus and provide a physical outlet for the energy churned up by those butterflies. Tacking up to a favourite upbeat tune is junior jumper rider Carly’s favourite routine. “I move around to a hip-hop playlist and it helps get rid of the tension in my body. Everyone thinks it’s pretty funny when I throw in a few dance moves, but it works for me!”

Other riders find more calming selections of music can help them settle and encourage focus. If you’re the type who gets keyed up with over-thinking, try a tune that is slower in tempo. Pair this with a more relaxed, slower-moving pace while getting ready and you may have the beginnings of a great formula for show ring calm.

What else is listening to music good for?

Another use of music in a pre-performance routine is to provide distraction. We usually think of distraction as being negative, but for those who suffer from busy horse show brain (or otherwise just a busy brain), it can be a game-changer.

Consider all the ‘blank’ time you have at a horse show. For over-thinkers, this can be a scary time when they begin to be flooded by “what ifs” and visions of disaster. Music and other tasks can help fill this void. Staying plugged in at certain times during your day will provide an anchor to your thinking. In this case, you may want to carefully select a playlist that either evokes positive memories or choose lyrics that keep your mind engaged. Here is your chance to use an “earworm” (a song you cannot get out of your head) for a good purpose!

A 2017 study published in the journal The Sport Psychologist that examined competitive swimmers and the use of music in pre-performance routines revealed, “For the selection process to be effective, the athlete must have knowledge of desired outcomes for the music use and utilize this information to guide their choice of musical pieces.” So yes, do think about what your ideal “psychobiosocial” pre-ride state is, assess your needs, and select carefully.

If you’re prone to over-focus on outcomes and you blast yourself with songs about winning at all costs, you will send your pressure gauge through the roof. Lyrics, emotional intensity, and memories linked to song selection are all important considerations. What you use to tack up may very well be different than what you use to distract yourself during downtimes. Experiment and find what works best for you.