At Emmers Equestrian, it's not just about delivering top-quality equestrian products worldwide — it's also about sharing valuable knowledge for horses and riders through the Emmers Academy.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Emmers Academy Series. In this series, you can expect multiple episodes where we interview inspiring personalities from the equestrian world and share valuable and unique insights. So be sure to stay tuned!
Today’s Guest: Cathy Spaas
We’re pleased to welcome Cathy Spaas, a renowned coach specializing in spotlight stress. She shares her insights about her personal challenges, her experiences with professional performers, and some powerful advice for riders.
Cathy’s Personal Journey
“You can have perfect training sessions, enjoy them, and feel connected to your horse — but then you enter the ring, and there’s so much pressure that you freeze and start making mistakes. That was the story of my life.”
Cathy opened up about her personal journey as a rider, struggling with intense pressure during competitions. As a child, she enjoyed shows, but over time the focus shifted entirely to performance, progress, and avoiding mistakes. That pressure crushed her self-confidence and belief in herself. Cathy revealed that her own struggles led her to study how the brain works and to understand what happens behind the scenes — enabling her to help both herself and others improve.
Working with Professional Performers
Cathy points out that even highly successful celebrities often struggle because they constantly perform under the spotlight and may lose their sense of self.
“In the horse world, it’s quite similar. After all these years, I wanted to shift from the entertainment industry back to the equestrian world — because I saw just how many riders are also performing under pressure.”
Spotlight Stress in Riders
The conversation shifts to spotlight stress among riders. Cathy identifies signs such as self-doubt, negative self-talk, and freezing under pressure. She explains how the pressure to perform can strip away the joy of riding.
“We feel so much pressure to perform well — not just for ourselves, but also for family, sponsors, the horse owner, or the boss who expects results,” Cathy says.
Tips for Riders Dealing with Spotlight Stress
“We have to embrace the imperfect ride, because nothing will ever be perfect — and that’s how you ride for gold.”
Cathy shares valuable tips for riders experiencing spotlight stress. She emphasizes the importance of mental training as a long-term strategy, just like physical training for both horse and rider. Her tips include:
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Recognize negative thoughts and don’t tolerate them.
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Reconnect with your body: ground yourself by feeling your feet on the floor and practice mindful breathing to regain focus.
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Do breathing exercises while on your horse and repeat them before entering the ring to balance your mind.
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Build a strong community: seek support from like-minded individuals.
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Embrace imperfection and understand that perfection is unattainable.
Impact on Horses
Cathy explains how rider stress affects horses, as they show similar fight, flight, or freeze responses. She stresses the importance of giving horses confidence, because they rely on us just as much as we rely on them.
“A horse’s survival instinct is also triggered — so it’s completely normal for them to stop performing at their best when they sense that stress from us,” she explains.
Coaching with Cathy Spaas
The discussion continues with an introduction to Cathy’s six-month coaching program. It starts with an inspiration session where goals and ambitions are defined. Together, you create a strategy to shine in the spotlight — supported by practical mental training techniques.
Book Your Inspiration Session
We’re incredibly grateful to Cathy Spaas for sharing her powerful insights. As a special gift to Emmers Academy readers and listeners, Cathy is offering a free exclusive inspiration session.
Are you curious to learn more? Visit her website, YouTube channel, and Instagram and book your exclusive session now. Listen to the full interview here
