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‘I don’t belong here!’ Riding alongside our idols can lead to impostor syndrome cramping our competitive ability – here’s how to put those feelings to bed

Impostor syndrome and feelings of self-doubt are common in the competitive sphere, especially in our sport where we are often competing alongside the greats of the game. Even the pro riders aren’t immune to this experience. In this article exclusive to H&H subscribers, psychologists and riders explain how to combat these feelings and ride with self-belief instead
Becky Murray Becky Murray

    • Have you ever shared a warm-up with a Whitaker, or perhaps your eventing section includes a British Olympic medallist? Equestrian sport is unusual in that you can find yourself competing alongside your idols, which in one breath can feel awe-inspiring, and in another a curse when that leads to self-doubt. If you have ever found yourself at a show and questioning your right to be there, it could be that you’re experiencing impostor syndrome.

    Clinical psychologist Dr Krissie Ivings of Aspire Rider Confidence & Hypnotherapy and author of Tame the Chimp, Shoot the Parrot & Silence the Mouse explains that while impostor syndrome is not a clinical condition, it is a well-recognised experience that can be very common in athletes and certain professions.

    “Impostor syndrome is the term used when people do not feel as though they’re qualified to be doing what they’re doing, or a feeling that they’re not in the right place,” Krissie explains. “You might feel like a fraud, or a fake, and that you’re going to get found out.

    “In riding it might be that you feel like you shouldn’t be entering a certain competition, or that level. When it goes right you might feel like you’ve fluked it or gotten away with it – but if it goes badly then you feel like you were never good enough in the first place.”

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    Becky Murray
    Becky Murray

    H&H senior news writer
    Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
    Becky Murray

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