Equestrian performance coaching

Evidence-based sport psychology coaching, tailored to equestrian sport - with optional showjumping coaching to apply it directly in the saddle.

Seraphina Williams • BSc Psychology • MSc Sports Psychology • Competitive Equestrian Background

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When your riding feels different at a show, it’s rarely about ability.

Seraphina at Pendley Performance in a white shirt and black helmet riding a brown horse jumping over an obstacle during an equestrian event.

Many riders train confidently at home, yet struggle to deliver the same performance in competition. Under pressure, focus shifts, nerves take over, and small mistakes can quickly undermine confidence.

This doesn’t mean you lack skill, preparation, or commitment. It means the mental demands of competition are getting in the way of what you’re capable of producing.

That gap between training and competition is a performance skill - and it can be trained.

Meet Seraphina

Seraphina is a performance coach specialising in equestrian sport, working with riders who want to perform more consistently - particularly when pressure is highest.

With formal training in psychology and sport psychology, she supports riders to develop the mental skills that underpin confident, focused riding. This includes learning how to embrace pressure rather than fight it, building genuine self-belief, and managing nerves so they don’t dictate performance.

Her coaching also helps riders improve focus, manage emotions, and respond constructively to mistakes - staying present in the round rather than being pulled out of it by distraction or self-doubt. Central to her approach is helping riders better understand themselves as performers, so they can ride with greater clarity, confidence, and intent.

Coaching is available one-to-one with the option to integrate performance work into ridden showjumping sessions.

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How Seraphina helps riders

Confidence under pressure

So nerves don’t take over decision-making or dictate the round.

Focus and consistency

So riders stay present and ride to their plan, not their emotions.

Mental skills you can actually use

Practical tools for self-talk, routines, goal-setting, and refocusing.

All coaching is grounded in sport psychology and adapted specifically for the demands of equestrian sport.

Coaching overview

1:1 Mindset Coaching

Individual coaching focused on confidence, focus, and performing under pressure. Sessions are tailored to you as a rider, helping you manage nerves, build self-belief, and deliver consistently in competition.

Workshops & Clinics

Group sessions designed for riding clubs, yards, and teams. These interactive workshops explore confidence, pressure, focus, and performance routines in a practical, equestrian-specific context.

Showjumping Coaching

Practical showjumping coaching with the option to integrate performance and mindset work into ridden sessions. Designed to help confidence, clarity, and decision-making translate directly into the saddle.

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  • Georgina

    "I first met Seraphina about a year ago. Myself and Twinkle were in a rut with our jumping. We'd lost our way, and our confidence. Seraphina has the amazing ability to gently encourage you out of your comfort zone, to teach you with empathy and understanding. A year later, Twinkle and I are jumping consistently clear at competitions, she feels so much better, I couldn't be more pleased with our progress."

  • Lily

    "Puddles and I have been having showjumping lessons with Seraphina for over a year now, and she has been absolutely fantastic. Puddles is young and learning and with her experience she has given both me and my horse so much confidence. I’ve learnt an incredible amount from Seraphina, and Puddles has too — especially when Seraphina kindly took over riding him while I was out of action with a broken wrist. Her knowledge, patience, and support has noticeably made a huge difference to both of us, and I’m really looking forward to continuing our journey and progressing further with Seraphina’s guidance."

  • Hannah

    "Seraphina is a fantastic mentor. She is a great listener and always made me feel truly heard. She creates a safe, comfortable space where I felt able to share things that were difficult to talk about. We worked together to overcome the challenges I was facing and to change the narrative—things that before would have slowly eaten away at my self-confidence and how I viewed myself and my abilities in the saddle. Now, I ride with much more confidence, and I have the reassurance of knowing that if I face any problems in the future, I can talk to Seraphina and work through them."

Let’s Work Together

If you’d like to find out more about performance coaching, workshops, or showjumping coaching, you’re welcome to get in touch.

You don’t need to know exactly what you’re looking for. A short conversation can help clarify whether coaching is the right fit and which approach would best support your goals.

Email: phiniewilliams@gmail.com
Tel: 07720 239212

Contact Pendley Performance coaching