The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast

The Inner Critic: How to Stop Beating Yourself Up

In this powerful episode of Inside the Riders Minds Series, equestrian mindset coach Neil Foster helps you silence the self-doubt that’s sabotaging your progress in the saddle. Discover where your inner critic comes from, how it affects your confidence, and learn Neil’s proven Awareness–Disrupt–Replace method to rewire your thinking and build true mental strength.
You'll also learn how to create your own empowering internal script, and how hypnosis can help transform your inner dialogue, so you ride with clarity, calm, and confidence.
Plus, don’t miss the preview of next week’s episode: Focus Like a Pro – Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Horse, featuring a 3-minute focus drill every rider can use before every session to improve connection and performance.
👉 Like what you hear?✔️ Subscribe so you never miss an episode✔️ Share this with a fellow rider who could use a confidence boost✔️ Join the conversation in the Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast Facebook Group✔️ Get free mindset tools by joining Neil’s email list 
Let’s ride with our minds, and lead with our hearts.

🎧 Episode 3 – You Are Not Your Last Round: Breaking the Performance Identity Trap The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast – Inside the Rider’s Mind

🎧 Episode 3 – You Are Not Your Last Round: Breaking the Performance Identity TrapThe Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast – Inside the Rider’s MindHosted by Neil Foster | Equestrian Mindset Coach
Are you tying your self-worth to your results in the arena? In this powerful episode, Neil Foster dives deep into the mindset trap that holds so many competition riders back, the belief that you are your last round.
Discover how to break free from performance-based identity, reframe failure, and reset mentally after tough rides. Learn the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, how to bounce back with confidence, and how to love the process of riding again, even when things don’t go to plan.
Plus, Neil shares his proven 3-R Rider Reset Technique - a practical, quick mental reset to use after disappointing rounds.
Whether you’re a dressage rider, show jumper, or eventer, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about riding with freedom, resilience, and a champion’s mindset.
Don’t miss a moment:
🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts/Spotify or Podbean
✅ Join the Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast Facebook Group – your safe space for support, connection, and deeper discussion
📲 Follow Neil on Facebook & Instagram [@NeilFosterRiderMindset]
💌 Get exclusive tips, tools, and mindset coaching straight to your inbox — join the email list via [neilfostermindset.com]
🧠 It's time to redefine success in your riding — and remember: you are not your last round.
#EquestrianMindset #RiderConfidence #NeilFosterMindset #HorseRidingMotivation #MentalPerformanceForRiders #GrowthMindsetEquestrian #InsideTheRidersMind

Inside The Riders Mind Series Episode 2: Managing Nerves – How to Ride Confident When It Counts

Episode 2: Managing Nerves – How to Ride Confident When It Counts
Do show day nerves sabotage your performance in the saddle? In this powerful episode of The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast, mindset coach Neil Foster unpacks why nerves happen, how your brain and body react under pressure, and what you can do to stay calm, clear, and confident in the ring.
Learn how to:
Understand your Autonomic Nervous System (fight/flight vs calm/focus)
Use Box Breathing to switch off anxiety
Create a simple, powerful pre-ride ritual that grounds and centers you
Reframe nerves into excitement and performance fuel
Whether you're prepping for your next competition or simply want to ride with more confidence every day, this episode gives you the tools to show up at your best—when it counts most.
Subscribe, rate, and review to help other riders find the show!Share this episode with a riding friend who battles nerves.Join the conversation in our Facebook Group: The Neil Foster Rider Mindset PodcastSign up for Neil’s email list for free mindset tips 
🎧 Hit play now and take control of your mindset—because your confidence is your most powerful aid.
#EquestrianPodcast #RiderMindset #HorseShowNerves #ConfidentRiding #EquestrianTips #HorseRiderPodcast #ShowJumpingMindset #DressageConfidence #MindsetMatters #InsideTheRidersMind

🎙 Episode 1: Why Mindset Is the Missing Link in Your Riding Success

🎙 Episode 1: Why Mindset Is the Missing Link in Your Riding Success
Welcome to the first episode of Inside the Rider’s Mind, a brand-new solo series from The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast.
If you’re an eventer, dressage rider, or show jumper striving for consistent results but struggling with nerves, self-doubt, or post-ride frustration, this episode is your starting point.
In this foundational episode, mindset coach Neil Foster breaks down:
What “rider mindset” actually means
Why mental performance separates good riders from great ones
The core mindset traits elite equestrians share
How your mental approach influences your horse’s confidence, focus, and connection
Why mindset work is more than just confidence, it’s a long-term commitment to becoming the rider you know you can be
Whether you compete at grassroots or five-star level, this series will help you train your mind like you train your horse.
New episodes drop every Wednesday, covering topics like managing nerves, silencing your inner critic, building resilience, and creating a personalized competition mindset routine.
👉 Subscribe now so you never miss an episode—and if you found value in this one, please rate, review, and share it with a fellow rider.
Want to go deeper? Join the conversation in the Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast Facebook Group for bonus content, rider insights, and weekly coaching tools.
To join my email list and receive a FREE Rider Mindset Confidence Hypnosis recording 

Welcome to “Inside the Rider’s Mind” – A New Series for Competitive Equestrians

Welcome to “Inside the Rider’s Mind” – A New Series for Competitive Equestrians
Get ready for Inside the Rider’s Mind, a powerful new 10-part series from The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast, launching this Wednesday!
If you're a competitive equestrian looking to ride with more confidence, consistency, and focus under pressure, this is the mindset series you've been waiting for.
In this short teaser episode, Neil shares what to expect from the upcoming series, including:
 How to manage show nerves and performance anxiety
 Tools to bounce back from mistakes in the ring
The mental strategies top 1% of riders use
Why your self-talk could be your secret weapon
Each solo episode is packed with real-world mindset tools you can apply immediately, at home, in the warm-up arena, or under pressure at your next competition.
🎧 Subscribe now so you don’t miss Episode 1: “Why Mindset Is the Missing Link in Your Riding Success.”
Join the conversation in The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast Facebook Group📩 Sign up to Neil’s email list for exclusive resources and bonus content

The Mental Muscle Behind the Mountains - What Harry Meade Teaches Us About Mindset

🎧 Bonus: The Mental Muscle Behind the Mountains -What Harry Meade Teaches Us About Mindset
Why do some riders thrive under pressure, while others crumble, even after doing the physical prep?
In this episode, equestrian mindset coach Neil Foster unpacks the deeper lesson behind Harry Meade’s legendary hill-based training program. While the world praises Meade’s innovative fitness strategy, Neil reveals the real takeaway: the high-performance mindset it takes to build, and stick to a system like that.
You’ll learn:
Why resilience is a skill trained through repetition, not motivation
How riders can mirror the hill-based conditioning process mentally
The power of steady, deliberate preparation over quick fixes
Three mindset coaching tools to apply today
Why mental clarity matters as much as muscle in high-stakes moments
Whether you're competing, schooling, or rebuilding your riding confidence, this episode will help you start conditioning your inner rider for long-term success.
Free Resource:Download Neil’s Ride with Confidence Hypnosis Track, your pre-ride ritual for calming nerves and building subconscious trust. Free Ride with Confidence Hypnosis Recording
Mindset Challenge This Week:Pick one “mental hill” and commit to climbing it daily for 7 days.Start building your invisible muscles.
Rider Reflection:“Where in my riding am I chasing fast results instead of trusting deep preparation?”
🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with your barn bestie.And join the conversation inside the Neil Foster Rider Mindset Facebook Community for coaching prompts, Q&As, and support from like-minded riders.
#EquestrianMindset #HarryMeade #EventingConfidence #RiderResilience #TrainYourMindset #RideWithConfidence #TheNeilFosterRiderMindsetPodcast

Are We in Too Much of a Rush to Get Results?

The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast
Episode Title: Are We in Too Much of a Rush to Get Results?Host: Neil Foster, Equestrian Mindset CoachDuration: ~10 minutes
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Neil Foster dives into a question that many riders are quietly asking, but not always saying out loud:
Are we in too much of a rush to get results in our riding?
With growing pressure from social media, competition calendars, and personal expectations, it's easy to feel like you're falling behind unless you're constantly moving up. But what happens when that pressure spills over into how we treat our horses… and ourselves?
Join Neil as he unpacks:
The culture of speed in modern equestrian sport
The difference between pressure and poor awareness
Why rushing the process leads to disconnection and burnout
How to redefine success through trust, feel, and emotional intelligence
What the future of our sport could look like if mindset becomes the priority
This isn't just a conversation about training, it's a call to slow down, tune in, and build something that lasts. Whether you're a competitive rider, a coach, or someone simply passionate about horses, this episode will speak to the part of you that knows… there's a better way.
Key Takeaways:
Fast results often come at the cost of trust and long-term partnership
Many riders aren’t pushing too hard out of ego, but out of fear and pressure
Emotional awareness can be your greatest training tool
Slowing down isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom
The future of equestrianism must include mindset education
Connect with Neil:
Instagram: @equestrianmindsetcoach
Website & Coaching: www.neilfostersportsmindcoach.co.uk
Mindset Tools & Downloads: Free Resources
Join the Conversation:
Did this episode resonate with you?Tag Neil on social media and share your thoughts using #TheNeilFosterRiderMindsetPodcast and #ListenToYourHorse.
Or join The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast Community 
Let’s keep the conversation going, in the saddle, in the stable, and in the stories we share.
🎧 Subscribe, rate & review the show to help more riders discover the power of mindset in the equestrian world.

🎙️ Bonus Episode: Mindset Masterclass – Piggy March at Luhmühlen

 
🎙️ Bonus Episode: Mindset Masterclass – Piggy March at Luhmühlen
In this bonus episode, Neil dives into Piggy March’s reflections from Luhmühlen and uncovers a true masterclass in elite rider mindset.
Despite delivering a brilliant performance with her horse Halo across all three phases, Piggy finished 18th, a tough reminder that results and performance don’t always match.
What you'll learn:
How to separate self-worth from scoreboards
Reframing frustration into growth
Piggy’s powerful take on judging fairness
Why long-term progress beats short-term perfection
A must-listen for any rider wanting to think like a pro and bounce back stronger, no matter the result.
🎧 Subscribe, review, and share with your equestrian friends.
#RiderMindset #PiggyMarch #EventingLife #EquestrianMotivation #MindsetMatters
 

Three Mindset Shifts to Ride The First Fence With Focus

Ready to ride into your next round with clarity and confidence?
Don’t miss the latest episode of The Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast: “3 Mindset Shifts to Ride the First Fence with Focus.” In this week's episode, I dive deep into one of the most common (and frustrating) challenges riders face, freezing up before the first jump and I give you clear, practical tools to shift your mindset from panic to presence. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or just getting into the ring, this episode offers powerful, ride-ready strategies, including a bonus shift and a calming pre-ride routine you can use immediately. If you’ve ever overthought your way into a shaky start, this one’s for you.  Listen now and make the first fence your launchpad, not your downfall.
Click here to download the FREE Rider Confidence Hypnosis Recording
Click here to join the Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast Community

What Every Rider Gets Wrong About Confidence

Struggling with nerves in the saddle or losing confidence under pressure? This happens to many riders, and there’s a better way forward. 🎧 In Episode 13 of the Neil Foster Rider Mindset Podcast, we bust the biggest myths riders believe about confidence and show you how to start building it from the inside out. Plus, grab your FREE Ride With Confidence Hypnosis Recording - a powerful 10-minute audio designed to calm your nerves and rewire your mindset before your next ride. Tap the link below and start riding with the belief and focus you deserve. Access to the recording will be sent via email
FREE 10 minute Ride With Calm and Confidence Hypnosis Recording