Heads Up!

Janet Edgette, a sports psychologist and hypno-therapist, whose practice is based in Rosemont, Penn., has written a book that is a positive, soul searching approach to the psychology of riding. In it are quiet, unassuming revelations about ourselves as riders, trainers, and members of the support group (families), and solutions to the discomforts encountered in our sport. As a riding instructor, I skipped everything and went straight to Part Two: For Trainers and Instructors. Chapters included The Psychology of Teaching Sport, The Business of Being a Trainer, and Dealing with Work Stress. Edgette candidly explains the obvious experiences with training riders, and exposes silent issues that commonly bother coaches about themselves and their relationship to their business. I found this to be overwhelming helpful. Part One deals with the Self-Psychology of Riding. As a rider, I found this section helped to hash out those all too common denominations all riders share: fear, mental rehearsal, relaxation, performance anxiety, and rider/trainer relationships. Edgette also applies a chapter in self-hypnosis, one of her specialities. It is a great resource to enhance one's riding. Finally, Part Three includes something other sports psychology books do not -- the importance and support of the family. There is a very constructive chapter on how to support junior and children riders, and the role that parents and trainers should take within their endeavors. Edgette's style is very candid, open, and easy to read. Don't think that this is another "help me feel good about my riding" book. Heads Up! takes an incredibly unique approach to explaining the whole circle of a rider's world. This book will enhance any trainer, coach, parent, and rider's bookshelf. I give it a five-shoe rating!

Formal sports psychology training in equestrian circles may have arrived on the scene later than other sports, but it's quickly become a valuable tool for all levels. Now we have many avenues to choose from -- from specialists in equestrian sports to a selection of books, audiotapes and videotapes. One of these books, written especially for the equestrian, is Dr. Janet Edgette's Heads Up! This is a wonderful introduction to sports psychology and will benefit, as the subtitle notes, riders, trainers and their families. Dr. Edgette, an accomplished equestrian herself, presents her book in a user-friendly design that's easy to understand and fun to read. While some facets of psychology are certainly complex, Dr. Edgette doesn't go there. She keeps her focus on teaching her exercises and uses real patients' (names changed) experiences to give them a realistic platform. Much of the book (nine chapters) is devoted to the rider, and Dr. Edgette discusses many of the challenges riders face in equestrian sports: competition anxiety, overcoming fear and confidence problems, just to name a few. While there are only a few illustrations in the book, abundant bullets, subheads and different fonts break up the straight pages of text. I suggest spending time with this book -- and having a box of self-adhesive paper markers handy for identifying favorite sections. For those people who haven't explored sports psychology yet (and for others who want another perspective), this book may offer another way to enhance your time on horseback.

Does your and your horse's performance suffer because you freeze up under pressure? Does a riding-related fear or interpersonal relationship plague your ability to enjoy equestrian activities? If such psychological obstacles sound familiar, here's a book you'll want to read. Written by clinical sports psychologist and amateur competitor Dr. Janet Sasson Edgette, the edition presents a complete mind-strengthening program designed for riders of all ages and disciplines. What takes this book to a higher level are Dr. Edgette's valuable learned-from-experience insights, segments on managing interpersonal conflicts that arise from riding commitment; and chapters targeted to helping trainers better relate to their students.