In today’s equestrian sport landscape, emerging athletes are driven by passion and dedication in the pursuit of developing their skills, as competitors and horsemen and -women. Along the way, they are often met with pressures from coaches, parents, social media, fans, and even themselves.  

To explore how pressure and mental health challenges are prevalent in the sport, we talked with several promising young athletes, inviting them to discuss their experiences and explain how they balance their mental health with the stressors that come with high-performance competition. Dr. Jenny Susser, a sports psychologist who has worked with a lot of young athletes including equestrians, provided her insight into the current climate surrounding successful athletes and their mental wellbeing.  

What Makes Equestrian Sport Unique? 

Equestrian sport stands out across the Olympic sports for several reasons. It is one of the only sports that invites men and women to compete against each other on an equal playing field. In addition, athletes who compete are also part of a broad age range, with some often competing well into their 40s and beyond. At the same time, more and more talented young riders are breaking into top-level competitions, with some representing the United States as young as 18. 

What truly sets the sport apart, however, is the inclusion of the horse. Unlike any other Olympic sport, equestrian sport involves a living animal as a teammate. This changes everything. Equestrians have a partner in their mounts, someone that is waiting for them at the beginning of the day and will be by their side long after ribbons have been handed out. 

This bond is what draws many athletes to the sport but adds an extra layer of responsibility and emotional weight. Athletes are not just responsible for their own physical and mental well-being, they also have to care for their horse’s behavior, health, and emotional state. Equestrian athletes can have a huge impact on the mental health of the horse, and vice versa. A nervous athlete can make for an anxious horse, while a calm and confident partnership can lead to strong and consistent performances. Managing the mental well-being of both horse and athlete requires balance, a support system, and coping techniques – making mental health support a vital part of long-term success in the sport. 

Pressure From an Early Age 

Reaching the top in this sport can take years, yet many athletes start to feel the effects of pressure from a noticeably early age. This pressure usually comes from four directions: peers, trainers, parents, and self. Peer pressure is incredibly difficult across the equestrian disciplines and can be hard on young athletes up until their early 20s. “When athletes are 17 to 23, they look like adults, but they are not adults,” explained Dr. Susser. “Their brain chemistry and capacity are not fully developed until they’re 25, so they are navigating all these events, stressors, desires, goals, and competitions, but are not armed for that type of psychological, mental, emotional, or even physical pressure.” Today much of that strain comes from the digital world. Social media feeds can magnify self-doubt, warping how young athletes view themselves and their success. 

Many athletes remember the moment they first felt and recognized pressure. “I was going into the final round at Pony Finals on top,” recalled USA Dressage athlete Kat Fuqua. “I remember feeling it in my stomach, it was the first time I really felt like this is going to be a really big deal if I do it well.” 

Selection processes can add another layer of pressure. “We had to travel to Europe and compete in Canada,” said USA Vaulting athlete Caroline Morse. “Recognizing that we had to do all those events to qualify made me realize that each event matters a lot more. Being in that atmosphere and seeing all the people that I looked up to and realizing that I, too, was going to compete there, brought up a heightened pressure to do well.” 

Dealing with Setbacks and Coping Mechanisms 

In any high-performance sport, stress is inevitable, but what matters is how athletes respond. Dr. Susser encourages athletes to build diverse identities, reminding them to not tie their entire self-worth to a single performance or achievement.   

USA Eventing athlete, Cassie Sanger, who recently competed in her first CCI5*-L at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three Day Event, keeps a personal routine to stay centered. “Cross-country day was freezing and drizzling,” she said. “After I had some body work done, I just laid on the table until it was time to go. I had blankets covering me from head to toe so no one could see me and it put me in a great headspace to go out.” Sanger mentioned that she also relies heavily on visualization ahead of competition. “If I can put myself in those places beforehand, when I get out there on the day of it’s like second nature.” 

Breathing exercises and quick check-ins with trusted supporters can help too. USA Endurance athlete Alex Shampoe often calls her mother whenever nerves and pressure begin to creep in. Her mother helps her with various breathing exercises over the phone. “We breathe in for four, hold for four, and then out for four,” she said. “It sounds simple, but it calms me right down.” 

The Importance of Support Systems 

Strong support systems are key to protecting an athlete’s mental health. Athletes, trainers, and parents should have open conversation after a failure or setback, rather than sweeping any issues under the rug and ignoring it. Dr. Susser notes, "It's kind of like a tense horse. Until they can figure out how to not be tense, they let it build, and it can at some points explode — human beings are the same way.” 

USA Jumping athlete Skylar Wireman has a “village” that has continued to support her during her athletic career. “My support system is very big,” she said. “I have many trainers in Southern California, my groom, and countless working students that love helping.” Wireman, who competed on her first senior team in Abu Dhabi, UAE, recalls reaching out to long term friend and working student Taryn McEntire before for pre-competition support. “I thought to myself, ‘This looks a like a lot bigger course’, and she said, ‘You can do this,’ and was able to help me mentally through the nerves.” 

In the collegiate world, teamwork is everything. NCEA Head Coach at Auburn University Jessica Braswell believes the biggest key to team and individual success is communication. “I am always communicating with our student athletes about not only their performance in the sport but showing an interest in them and talking about life outside of the barn,” Braswell said. “If we have those conversations consistently, it builds trust and allows the athletes to feel as if they can give you feedback in real time.” 

Effect on the Horse 

Horses are remarkably sensitive to the moods and body language of the people around them. An athlete who tightens up, rushes a movement, or even holds their breath can pass that tension straight down through the reins. For this reason, many athletes practice strategies prior to mounting such as breathing, a mental check in, or simply spending quality time with their horse. 

Shampoe takes this a step further, pairing technology with her mindfulness. A big part of endurance is “pulsing down” after a ride, and athletes frequently check their horses' vitals through an attached heart rate monitor. “I started comparing her numbers with my own heart rate,” Shampoe said. “When my heart rate spikes from stress, hers does too. If I slow my breathing and work on my mental state, her rate comes down immediately. It's a live feedback loop.”  

Wireman credits her success in the jumper ring with the relationship she has with her horses at home. “I love spending time with them,” she said. “I groom, hand-graze, or just hang out in their stalls. It goes a long way, especially when you are in the ring, they know you are a team and that you are here for them.” 

Success Beyond the Win 

Developing mental wellbeing starts with redefining success. In a sport heavily focused on scoring and points, it is important to prioritize other small moments and focus on achieving the steps towards a larger goal. Many athletes focus on a wider definition of success that puts learning, partnership, and small victories at the forefront. 

Sanger frames each ride as a chance to achieve small wins, whether that is out on the cross-country course or doing a quiet flat session at home. “Success is always improving,” she explained. “I’ve discovered a love of developing horses like Yogi [Redfield Fyre] from the ground up. Whether it is at home or in front of a large crowd, success is having moments of progression and gaining a deeper understanding of your partnership with the horse.” 

Fuqua also prioritizes moments where she feels in sync with her horse. “The most rewarding thing in the world is getting that light bulb moment with your horse and you feel as if you are really clicking,” she said. 

It is vital for athletes to find joy in what they are doing. Coach Braswell explains that remembering why they got into the sport can be an athlete's biggest asset in maintaining positive mental health. “If we can bring them back to why they started in the first place and remind them to find joy in it, it can really take some pressure off their shoulders,” she said. “Your career, talent, and success in the sport does not rely on one day, one horse show, or one moment in time. It is over time and it’s everything you do because you love the sport and the horses.” 

Mental Health Resources 

At US Equestrian, member and athlete mental health and well-being is a top priority. In partnership with the McLaughlin Young Group, USEF offers free, confidential counseling services tailored for equestrian riders. Each member is entitled to up to three sessions with a state-license provider, ensuring expert mental health support. 

Members can reach a counselor anytime by calling 1-800-633-3353. 

For more information on services offered click here.