We plan and fine-tune our training in order to reach the next level as equestrians. But could it be that we’re missing critical details in the pursuit of improvement? What can riders gain from taking a moment to reflect on the outcome? We met up with professional show jumper and Team Rider Mel Thijssen to talk about the importance of analyzing your riding sessions – and how your reflections can serve as a solid foundation for your development in the future. 

Why should you analyze your riding sessions?

– Actually, it’s quite simple. Analyzing your riding is a great way to improve yourself as well as your horse. If you don’t look back at what went wrong sometimes, you won’t progress. By pinpointing the things that you need to improve, you become more aware of what you’re doing and can appreciate the small steps forward. I like to do the analysis by myself first, and then ask for my trainer’s opinion. It’s always a good thing to share your reflections with people you trust.

Which aspects do you mainly analyze?

– The most critical thing for improvement is that the horse actually understands the task, and what you’re asking for. Without that, progress can’t be made. I also ask myself questions like, “Could I have done something differently?” Sometimes, it’s easy to push too far when the horse isn’t ready. But taking a step back in the moment often leads to taking two steps forward in the long run. When working with horses, you must prioritize long-term improvement over short-term results. Sometimes the best thing you could do is to just let the horse have a week off, jogging in the forest. 

“When working with horses, you must prioritize long-term improvement over short-term results.”

– Mel Thijssen

How does filming your training sessions help improve your technique?

– Watching videos of yourself training is a great way to improve. Videos let you notice small details you might miss otherwise, like your position, the aids you're giving, or whether you’re keeping the outside rein straight etc. Videos also help me understand my trainer’s feedback better. When training at the arena, I also find the mirrors super helpful when aligning my feeling from horseback to what I’m actually seeing. Watching riders that I look up to helps me improve as well. Obviously everyone has their own riding style and technique – it’s all about picking the parts you like and making them your own. 

How does your analysis work in practice?

– Often, when I analyze my training, I write down my reflections as brief notes on my phone. When riding up to ten horses each day, it’s a good idea to have small notes for each horse to avoid mixing them up. It can be a simple reminder like, “Relax the hand.” Before starting training, I scroll through the notes for each horse to keep them top of mind when I begin. It’s an easy thing to do: write your notes down after the training session, and check them before the next! My analysis also serves as a sort of guideline for the upcoming training week. Sometimes, it’s just small details, so I stick to the original plan but keep those details in mind. Other times, I do specific exercises to improve the areas I’ve identified.

Mel’s Key Takeaways: 

• Ask yourself if the horse understands you and what you’re asking for. 
  
  

• Ask yourself if you’ve improved since your last training. 
  
  

• Take notes of the things you want to improve right after your training, and read them through just before the next to keep them top of mind.
  
  

• Remind yourself that it’s sometimes good to take one step back in order to improve in the long run.
  
  

• Watch videos of yourself, it helps you see even the smallest details in your riding.
  
  

What is the most important insight you’ve gained about yourself as a rider by analyzing your riding?

– I’ve realized how important it is to stay calm on the horse. If you’re not getting the result you want, it’s better to take a break and start over. I think that’s the most important thing I’ve learned about myself. You cannot just keep going. Take a break, calm yourself and think about what you’re actually doing, and then start again. 

Do you think you have developed more because you analyze your riding sessions?

– Definitely! If you’re not analyzing, you cannot improve, and if you don’t improve, you won’t level up. I think it’s always good to stop and reflect on the outcome – and especially to get to know yourself better as a rider.