Eleven years have passed since Jane Savoie's That Winning Feeling! Program Your Mind for Peak Performance was published. Now in its ninth printing, and translated into several languages, it was the first book to recognize the importance of training the mind and shaping attitude in order to achieve higher levels of riding skill than ever before imagined. Riders in all disciplines, from the English specialties such as dressage and jumping, to Western events like reining and cutting, soon discovered that the techniques Jane described could be used to refine their riding, and as an unexpected bonus, improve the quality of their lives. In response to the many readers who said they were hungry for more information, Jane is presenting It's Not Just About the Ribbons, a stimulating demonstration of new tools and innovative ideas for self-improvement. Once again, she shares the very concepts she has used, not only to help herself deal with challenges, but her students -- who range from Olympic Games' contenders to more intermediate riders -- as well. It includes a wealth of ideas to help you deal with your "mental monsters" including: staying motivated; anchoring positive emotions; censoring your speech; controlling your dominant thoughts; reprogramming your "mental computer" through visualization and self-talk; and giving yourself an "attitude adjustment" -- to list just a few. There is also an important chapter on how to cope with fear, complete with many practical suggestions and exercises -- illustrated with photos and drawings -- on how to deal with this major, pervasive problem in riding. The book also individually highlights eleven personality traits that hold riders back from fully enjoying their sport (and their lives) -- traits such as insecurity, frustration, impatience, tension, doubt, arrogance, moodiness, and pessimism.

In wonderfully useful sections interspersed throughout the book, Jane examines these negative emotions and tells you how to overcome them -- turning distraction into concentration, for example -- by using strategies that transform an encumbering feeling into a positive characteristic advantage. Full of real-life stories -- shining examples of the success of Jane's methods of dealing with challenges -- this book is essential for everyone who is passionate about horses, but may be struggling, at some level or other, with negative emotions and frustration from slow development of riding skills. All readers will find that they can make changes more easily and even more playfully, while better enjoying every moment spent with their horses. Book jacket.