ENGLISH TEXTS
course:“ I had a heavy crash and broke my L2 vertebra that time. My parents wanted me to stop, to avoid one fall too many and ending up in a wheelchair. But I was on a roll and I didn’ t want it to stop! I had so many plans. After three months in a brace, I came back during the Cagnes-sur-Mer meeting, but I was going through a rough patch. So I decided to quit in January 2020. My whole family really helped me get through that ordeal. Still, it was very hard watching the horses I used to ride compete, it was enough to drive me crazy! I was busy finishing my high school diploma, but it still took me nearly two years to come to terms with it. I didn’ t get any mental support. That would be so important, not just for the end of a career. In this field, you can earn money at a very young age, and guidance could prevent certain mistakes. And, honestly, if I hadn’ t applied to have my license revoked, I think I would have gone back at some point. But once you take that step, there’ s no turning back. Now, I’ m a trainer, and I’ ve made peace with the end of my jockey career.”
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MARIE CAUCANAS
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By Cécile Adonias
After a career rich in many experiences in event management, as a professional show jumping and young horses rider and as a riding instructor, Marie Caucanas opened her psychology and mental coaching practice in 2016, mainly focused on equestrians.
Galorama. What is the general state of mental health among athletes, and riders in particular?
Marie Caucanas. I don’ t know if we can generalize. For some, it is very degraded, while others, whose environment is aware and balanced( family, friends, professional partners …), are doing well. There are always internal and external factors to well-being. You need to be able to identify and understand them in order to concentrate and perform at your best when the time comes.
G. What are the main difficulties riders / athletes face?
M. C. If we generalize, a professional can experience a period when results decline, confidence will then deteriorate and you have to find levers to bounce back. For amateurs, it’ s more the fear of doing badly, of injuring their horse, of falling, etc.
They need to be reassured, for example with authentic self-talk, re-anchoring actions mentally, so they can rediscover pleasure and serenity.
G. Are there similarities between the difficulties faced by riders / jockeys and other high-level athletes?
M. C. High-level athletes share one thing in common: their emotional intelligence. They all develop advanced analytical skills and have the ability to make quick decisions. They are also capable of accepting pain in order to achieve the desired results. Determination is a universal factor among them.
G. At what point should an athlete seek support?
M. C. When things are going well( laughs)! Ideally, don’ t wait until you’ re at rock bottom to consult. This makes it possible to establish good lifestyle habits and get to know yourself better in order to find emotional balance. We remain human, with ups and downs. This doesn’ t prevent failure, but it allows you to get through it more quickly and bounce back better. It’ s important to work with a professional to guarantee neutrality and confidentiality in discussions. And of course, if the athlete isn’ t doing well, they shouldn’ t wait and should seek help as soon as possible.
G. Is there a lack of support on this subject within the equestrian sector? Could solutions common to the
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