What’s Your Horse Show Jam?
“I think I may have been listening to some Thomas Rhett. ‘Star of the Show’ is my favorite!” – Mallory Vroegh. Photo courtesy of Kristin Spinning.
By: Brittany Bevis
Walk into any gym across the country, and it’s a sure bet that you’ll see dozens of people on treadmills, lifting weights, and running on the track, while listening to their favorite workout playlists. It’s certainly no secret that music can have a transformative effect on our lives- whether it’s used for reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, or getting amped up for competition.
And it’s not just psychological. Numerous studies have shown that listening to music can affect the chemical composition of your brain by increasing the feel-good neurotransmitter, dopamine; the brain hormone, oxytocin; and by reducing the stress hormone, cortisol. Did you know that listening to a playlist that’s being shuffled can actually increase dopamine? When one of your favorite songs pops up unexpectedly, you receive a “jackpot” feeling, resulting in a rush of dopamine, the chemical that’s responsible for feelings of pleasure, (The Neuroscience of Music, Mind, and Motivation, 2018). Research has even shown that listening to music can help reduce anxiety in pre and post op surgery patients.
Listening to music prior to or during athletic performance can have even more impressive effects. Did you know that, in 2007, USA Track & Field, banned the use of headphones and portable music players at official races “to ensure safety and to prevent runners from having a competitive edge“? If that doesn’t point to the incredible effect music can have on athletic performance, I don’t know what does!
Like many of our favorite professional athletes, we listen to music prior to competition in order to divert the mind and reduce anxiety, increase internal motivation or the feeling of “being in the zone,” and to promote focus on the task at hand.
20 Pump-Up Jams: Pre-Game Playlist of Professional Athletes analyzed the playlists of several top athletes and created their own top 20 list. The top three include:
#1- Numb/Encore by JAY Z, Linkin Park
#2- Hall Of Fame by The Script, will.i.am
#3- Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne)
Sports psychologists advise that athletes listen to music when preparing for a competition. But, what type of music works the best? Country, Pop, Rock, Top 40? It really comes down to personal preference; however, studies have shown that the tempo of the music can affect movement.
“If athletes listen to a fast tempo song, they may be more likely to increase movements to a faster pace, which could possibly enhance performance (i.e. conditioning time, running, cycling). Likewise, for an athlete who needs slower or more graceful movements (i.e. figure skating), slower tempo music could assist in reaching optimal performance,” (Listen Up! The Experience of Music in Sport- A Phenomenological Investigation, 2018).
Therefore, if we extrapolate this knowledge to the equestrian world, it seems to make sense that if you’re heading into a fast-paced discipline, like Reining or Barrel Racing, something like DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” might provide some inspiration. On the other hand, if you’re preparing for a class that requires extreme focus, like Trail or Showmanship, something more low-key, like Coldplay’s “Paradise,” might be a better fit.
We looked to our Equine Chronicle Facebook fans to find out what songs they listen to for an extra bit of motivation before they enter the show pen.
Reyna Taylor– “I like to listen to Rock music, and that helps be calm and gets me focused. “Bulls On Parade” by Rage Against the Machine and the Red Hot Chili Peppers “Dani California” are favs.”
Zoe Underwood– “The Champion” by Carrie Underwood and “Till I Collapse” by Eminem.
Elizabeth Thompson-Beauchamp– My horse, Gunner’s, pre-game song is “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons.
Mallory Vroegh– “Thomas Rhett’s ‘Star of the Show’ is my favorite.”
Brittany Lyn Doster– “The Champion” by Carrie Underwood and “The Road Less Traveled” by Lauren Alaina.
Heidi Evelhoch– “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons.
Makayla Ingraham-Kelley– “George Strait! Helps calm my nerves.”
Heather Shank– “My practice song was ‘Low Rider. I swear my horse knew it was time to show off every time I played it.”
Charlotte Miller Harvey– “Nelly’s ‘I’m Number One.’
Help us create the ultimate horse show playlist! Submit your favorite pre-game songs on our The Equine Chronicle Facebook page or by emailing B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com.
For more information about how music can enhance athletic performance, visit the following links.
