The international ring at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival can be intimidating, especially for Friday night freestyles, when the stands are packed and the atmosphere is electric.

At any level, it can be nervewracking when the judge’s bell rings as you canter around the outside of the dressage ring before the start of your test, so we decided to ask five top riders at the AGDF what the last thing that crosses their minds is when they turn up centerline.

Shelly Francis

Shelly Francis on Danilo (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

“Which way do I turn? That comes with age. The memory gets a little leakier! I make myself breathe because he starts to hold his breath. Both of my horses get a little perky, so I have to just slow myself down a little bit.”

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven and Divertimento (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

“I’m an expert at fooling myself! I always go around and say to myself, ‘This is going to be real fun and I’m going to do the best test I’ve ever done.’ I’m really excited every time I go in the ring. It works, I don’t know how!”

Steffen Peters

Steffen Peters and Rosamunde (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

“For me, it’s just pure focus and just hoping that that first salute will be ok where Legolas stands still and at that time, it’s all about that relaxation and suppleness and hoping for the best because the electric feeling coming into the arena is extremely difficult to deal with.”

Charlotte Jorst

Charlotte Jorst and Kastels Nintendo (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

“Hands down, heels down, chin up. Just try to look good coming up that line. I go through my internal checklist.”

Kathleen Raine

Kathleen Raine and Breanna (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

“To have a straight centerline and to trot, because I haven’t trotted every time after the halt.”