The first word

A competition debrief helps a rider assimilate their experience, and provides valuable team information. Ellie Hughes talks tactics to riders and coaches

- Ellie Hughes

PICTURE the scene: a top rider has just left the arena after a high-pressure test or round that has been crucial for Britain’s fortunes at a major championship. Emotions are running high and the atmosphere in the collecting ring is electric. The rider’s first port of call – sometimes even before dismounting – is a quick debrief with the team manager or trainer.

There is a pat on the back and heads are nodding, but what exactly are they talking about? Are they reliving the ride down the final treble, discussing what might have caused the missed tempi change, or is it a more general overview? Is a post-performance debrief something we can all benefit from and, if so, who should we enlist to help?

According to British eventing team coach Chris Bartle, what is said in the immediate aftermath depends entirely on the situation.

“Often it’s a time for me to listen, not speak,” he says. “It’s a case of accepting what has happened and letting the rider talk if they want to. Some riders clam up and want to be left alone, while others are keen to talk through their test or round straight away.”

International dressage rider and coach Adam Kemp saves the technicalities for a lot later.

“Whatever you say to someone who has just come out of the arena will go in one ear and straight out the other,” he quips. “Top riders generally know their mistakes and what they’ve done or not done. If they’ve had a good ride I’ll probably just give them a wink. If they’ve had a bad ride I might use body language – a gesture that says these things happen, that kind of thing…”