DSHS Magazine 2017

WITH
ANNETTE PATERAKIS
AND POPPY BLANDFORD
Every athlete has to deal with it sooner or later: disappointing results in the show ring, which make you feel
increasingly insecure. It can take a while to figure out that this setback has nothing to do with your talent, only
your mindset. But how do you break out of this vicious circle? Poppy and Annette are here to help! They are two
independent equestrian mental coaches.
You may know Annette from her columns for Noelle Floyd and her work with many international riders. Poppy
writes blogs, organises events internationally and works closely with equestrian sport organisations in Ireland.
Both perform these tasks in the context of their profession. It’s about time that we get to know them better.
ANNETTE PATERAKIS
Profession:
Mental Coach
Education:
Bachelor in Applied Psychology
Mindfulness trainer, EMDR therapist
Residence:
Neeroeteren, Belgium & Bredgar, UK
Website:
annettepaterakis.com
Q1
How did you get into this profession?
P: I began my career as a rehabilitation
therapist, specialising in adolescent mental
health. Eventually the pull of show jumping
became too strong and I opted to ride abroad
in North America for a couple of years. That's
when I realized that the psychological aspects of
the sport were intense, and I became fascinated
with those performing at the top of the game. A
bad fall put me out of the saddle for a while, so I
followed my dream of combining my psychology
background with my love of the sport.
A: I had worked with a mental coach myself as
I struggled to deal with my nerves and mindset
at shows. This got me interested in the mental
aspects of the sport and I decided to study
Applied Psychology. I changed my career from
riding to mental coaching and founded my
coaching business in 2012.
Q2
Is it really necessary to have a mental coach
who is specialized in equestrian sports?
P: Our sport is so unique; it's not like a
traditional sport which operates in a relatively
controlled training regimen. This is not just
a sport: this is a business, and it's an allconsuming
lifestyle. I think that only someone
who has lived and breathed it can truly
understand the undercurrents that run through
it.
A: Many riders have told me it is a huge
advantage that I know the sport and know what
it is like to ride into the show arena myself. I
can therefore take the unique challenges that
come with this mentally challenging sport
into account. In addition, they instantly notice
that I 'speak the same language'. I understand
the jargon, which helps riders feel better
understood.
Q3
What kind of cases do you prefer to work on
and why?
P: Everyone is different. In Ireland, I work with
a lot of young riders who come through talent
squads, pony- and junior teams. I love the
rawness of these clients: they're dealing with
family pressure, team pressure and they want
the sport more than anything. On the other hand,
the professionals are inspiring to follow and
support through the sport.
A: I honestly don’t mind what level riders are at,
as long as they're eager to learn and dedicated
to improve and work on their own journey. I work
mostly on increasing confidence and motivation
as well as learning to cope with negative
thoughts and disappointing results. Improve
that, and the results will ultimately follow.
Q4
You both have your own business, but do you
sometimes work together?
P: Yes, this is something we started recently. We
decided it's good to use each other’s qualities to
bring our work to bigger audiences.
A: We can always learn from others and in
joining forces we hope to learn from each other
and pass this knowledge on.
Q5
What level did you ride, and is that important
in relating to your clients?
P: I still ride actually. I'm based with a small
international stable in Dublin, Ireland, run by
Barry O’Connor, developing mostly younger
horses up to about the 1.30m level.
A: I competed at international 1.40m level. This
background really helps me to better understand
my clients and the pressure they face competing
at international shows.
Q6
What, in your opinion, is your biggest
achievement as a mental coach to date?
P: For sure for me, I'm proud of the impact
I've had in Ireland this year. In Ireland, we don’t
like to talk about anything having to do with
our minds; we prefer to keep private. This year,
the governing body of the equestrian sport in
Ireland employed me to work with young riders,
to educate the coaches and run several new
initiatives.
A: My biggest achievement is when riders I
work with tell me how they enjoy riding and
competing again and how they are growing as
a person. In addition, releasing my first book
this year “Keep calm & enjoy the ride” as well
as interviewing riders such as Laura Kraut and
Daniel Deusser for my next book, are things I am
very proud of.
POPPY BLANDFORD
Profession:
Mental Coach
Education:
B.Sc. Occupational Therapist, M.Sc.
Personal and Management Coaching
& British Psychological Society-
Personality Analysis
Residence:
Dublin, Ireland
Website:
poppyblandford.com
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DSHS | The 2017 edition
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