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Zilco brand ambassador Emma Golding, shares some tips on how to remain motivated over the winter!

Winter can be a tough season. Between the short days, cold weather and inevitable tiredness that comes with the end of a busy year, sustaining motivation can be difficult! Here in Ireland unfortunately there aren’t enough of us to make an indoor season over winter viable, so this makes it even more tricky. Whether or not you have competitions to get to, you can find your motivation slipping coming up to the end of the year and into the pre-season months. As a driver and mindset coach, here are my top tips!

  1. Make plans and set goals for next season:

This is probably the best way to stay motivated through the winter. Goal setting helps you identify priorities, hone your focus and maintain motivation. Start with reviewing the previous season; what went well, what went not so well, what you achieved and what you would like to have gone differently. Then, make a season plan for the next season, the events, trainings and anything else you’d like to go to.

  1. Get those small jobs done:

If you’re like me, that to-do list seems to be never-ending! Winter is the perfect time to tick some items off it and it can make you feel you’re still making progress towards getting back out there.

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  1. Take some time away from the horses:

Weekends and full weeks away competing mean we sometimes don’t get to see as much of family and friends as we or they would like. Winter can be the perfect time to bank some socialising, both for your benefit and theirs!

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  1. Go to a big winter show (or two!):

World-class driving, great atmosphere and shopping – what more could you want from a winter show? Watching those top drivers will give you the boost you need to combat the short, dark days!

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  1. Just spend time with your horses:

One of the things I noticed during the period in 2020 when there were no events or training was that it gave time to just be with your horse. Doing some groundwork, ridden work or just hanging out with them in the stable, it all adds to your bond and that will stand to you next competition season.

Hopefully these tips will help you both get through and make the most of the winter!

Emma Golding, Zilco Europe Brand Ambassador