The final event is done. The rosettes, are on display, your tack is away (for now), and your horse is enjoying a well-deserved break in the field. For many riders, this time of year should feel like celebration, but instead, there’s an odd emptiness. You’ve spent months building towards this season, structuring your weeks around training, goals, and competition. It’s been relentless, you’re completely exhausted and then… silence.

Welcome to the post-season blues. You are not alone!

Some people call it post-achievement depression — that flat, unsettling feeling that arrives after the highs of performance. Whether you’ve had a successful season or one full of frustrations, the end can feel like staring over the edge of a cliff and asking, “What now?”

Appreciating the Moment

Before rushing on to the next plan, pause. How often do we, as equestrians, really take time to savour what we’ve accomplished?

Maybe you picked up a rosette or two, trophies or even medals. Maybe you finally got through a round without a run-out. Maybe you simply stayed consistent and kept showing up, even when life made it tough. All of these matter and deserve to be savoured.

Spend a quiet evening reflecting — write down the highlights, the small wins, and even the surprises. Just like reviewing a dressage test sheet or watching a video of your round, reflection helps you see progress you might have overlooked in the moment.

Rest and Recuperation

Your horse gets downtime at the end of the season — why shouldn’t you? We’re so quick to think about the “next thing”, even when we’re exhausted, that we forget to give our minds and bodies space to recover.

Take time where riding is simply about enjoyment, not drilling movements or preparing for competition. Go for hacks, ride without a plan, or even spend time on the ground bonding with your horse. Allowing yourself this break can refill your energy tank and renew your passion for the next season.

When Things Haven’t Gone to Plan

Of course, not every season ends on a high. Injuries, setbacks, or disappointing performances can leave you questioning everything. It’s easy to feel stuck replaying mistakes, or wondering why things didn’t come together.

The truth is: every rider, even the very best, has had a season where nothing seemed to go right. Resilience isn’t about pretending it didn’t hurt and driving forward regardless — it’s about processing the disappointment before gently picking yourself back up. We learn for more from what didn’t go right than ever we do from what did. Ask yourself: What did I learn? What would I do differently? What strengths and strategies did I find, even in the tough times?

These reflections transform frustration into fuel for growth and motivation.

When to Start Thinking About the Next Goal

There’s a sweet spot between rest and re-engagement. Too soon, and you risk burnout. Leave it too long, and your motivation can dwindle as you start to over-think it.

Signs you’re ready? You start daydreaming about next season. You’re watching competition footage and thinking, “I can to try that!” You feel excitement bubbling again instead of dread or fatigue. That’s your cue, go for it!

Planning the Next Campaign

When you’re ready, start sketching out what comes next. Think of it as mapping a journey:

• What would you love to achieve? (Think about experiences, not just results)
• What will stretch you without being overwhelming?
• Where can you build in balance for rest and recovery so that your efforts are consistent and sustainable?

Create a loose plan gives you direction, while allowing for flexibility as you and your horse progress. Sometimes the most motivating goals are those that blend ambition with enjoyment — a mix of competitions, training milestones, and simply enjoying the partnership with your horse can make the journey itself exhilarating.

Final Thought

The post-season blues are real, and you’re not alone in feeling them. They can also be a gift: a chance to slow down, reflect, recharge your batteries and reconnect with why you ride. Whether your season was a triumph or trying, there’s always something to be learned and celebrated.

Each season is a stepping stone — not just in competition, but in your growth as a rider, partner, and horseperson. Take a breath, immerse yourself in the pause, and when you’re ready, step forward with fresh focus and enthusiasm. The cliff edge isn’t an end; it’s the start of your next adventure.

Come and find me on Facebook or Instagram as Riding Beyond Limits Coaching, www.rblcoaching.co.uk and look out for my free Master our Equestrian Mindset workshops and programmes.

Alison Sandford-Gent – Equestrian Mindset Specialist Coach.