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Anxiety can surface in many forms for riders: the nerves before walking into the ring, the fear of a particular jump, or the weight of expectations from parents, trainers, and peers. To psychologist and longtime hunter/jumper trainer Dr. Stefanie Mazer, PsyD, anxiety isn’t just something to overcome. It’s an opportunity to grow.
With a private practice in Wellington, Florida, and authorization to provide telepsychology services in 42 states, Dr. Mazer works with equestrians across the country. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: anxiety can be either a barrier or a channel. The key is learning how to transform it into growth.
From Horses to Psychology
Dr. Mazer’s path to psychology grew directly out of her equestrian career. A lifelong rider and trainer, she completed a dissertation on equine-facilitated psychotherapy and has always been drawn to the intersection of horses and human well-being.
“We’re all doing psychology all day, every day with horses,” she explained. “Formally studying psychology just gave me another lens to understand it better.”
That combination of training and therapy experience allows her to speak riders’ language and to apply evidence-based tools in ways that make sense both in and out of the ring.
Dr. Mazer describes her practice as collaborative, supportive, and non-judgmental. “The most important thing is that clients feel belonging and acceptance,” she said. “I’m not coming in to fix a problem. I’m here to join somebody in their process and help scaffold them to the next level.”
It’s an approach rooted in respect for the individual—just as a good horseman works with the horse in front of them, not the one they wish they had. “You’re not going to bring out the best in a horse by forcing it to be something it’s not,” she explained. “It’s the same with people.”
Anxiety as Barrier or Channel
Central to her philosophy is reframing anxiety. “Anxiety is either a barrier or it’s a channel to growth,” she said. Whether a rider is struggling with performance jitters, self-doubt, or fear of failure, the first step is recognizing how the body responds: faster heartbeat, shallow breathing, tense muscles.
“Even as I talk about it, my own heart rate goes up,” she noted. “The question is: can you acknowledge what’s happening in your body and still focus on the task at hand?”
This skill, learning to notice, name, and channel anxiety, translates well beyond the show ring. “These growth opportunities are not just to result in a blue ribbon next week,” she emphasized. “They help us in any context: relationships, work, school, anywhere anxiety shows up.”
Evidence-Based Tools for Riders
While her foundation is psychodynamic, Dr. Mazer incorporates practical techniques from sport psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy. She works with clients on visualization, mindfulness, and breathing, as well as SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).
“The ‘achievable’ part is key,” she explained. “If you’re always feeling over-faced, you’re not going to build confidence. Progress comes from small, realistic steps that add up over time.”
These strategies can even be integrated into training sessions. Something as simple as focusing on a song. She often plays “Just Breathe” by Twiddle for her riders. It helps keep the rhythm of the horse and rider aligned while reducing tension.
One reason Dr. Mazer’s approach resonates is because trainers already think about confidence when working with horses. “Trainers want to be able to get the most out of a horse, and you can’t if fear is a hard stop,” she said. “They understand the role of confidence instinctively.”
She also points out that trainers are comfortable working systemically, collaborating with vets, farriers, chiropractors, and other professionals. In the same way, she works systemically with riders, families, and teams to identify where anxiety arises. Whether that’s before a class, during a course, or even in the warm-up ring.
For Dr. Mazer, the ultimate goal isn’t simply to help riders feel less nervous before they go in the ring. It’s to help them embrace anxiety as a signal and use it as a tool for growth.
“When we learn to process our fears instead of avoiding them, we create resilience,” she said. “That resilience carries far beyond riding. It’s something you take with you into every part of life.”
Want more from Harlow Bottarini and Dr. Stefanie Mazer? Listen to their episode of The Plaidchat and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for conversations with the most influential voices in the equestrian world.
