If I’m truly honest with myself, I must admit I used to be a quite superstitious rider. I used to wear two different sock (I wish I was kidding but I’m not) for ‘good luck’ fr-libido.com. After I fell during a competition despite the fact I was wearing two different socks, I realized my superstition was ridiculous and I got myself a lucky bracelet instead 😉
However I’m not the only one: Danielle Goldstein admitted she always kisses her horse in the neck before entering the show ring. “I’ve been doing it since I was a kid and it actually became a habit. I don’t even realize I’m doing it anymore”, she states.
McLain Ward, one the best American riders, says he uses another pin every day when he’s riding a competition. “I don’t know why but I feel better when I do this. I also always put my left boot on first for good luck”. Eric Lamaze admitted he has a routine as well, getting dressed on a show day. “I always put my clothes, my boots and my spurs on respecting a certain routine”.
The French top rider Kevin Staut has a superstition as well, but it is focused rather on his horses than on himself: “I always stroke my horse five time on each side of his neck before I start to jump”. Even the current number one of the world, Steve Guerdat used to wear the same belt every time for ‘good luck’. He however stopped doing this when he started riding Nino.
Source: FEI/Noelle Floyd