Success Stories
WHAT OTHERS
HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT PERFORMANCE COACHING
“Doris Worcester has made
as positive an impact on my teaching and competitive riding as
anything else I have encountered. By asking me all the right
questions, and softly guiding me
in the right directions, she has
drawn out of me more confidence that I have ever realized I had.
She
has been a tremendous help, both to my students, and more importantly,
myself.
Doris has helped both myself and my students not only with our
competitive riding, but with out overall experience. She has an
amazing ability to draw out our own innate strengths and help us use
them in our everyday life. After speaking with Doris, I always feel
great about myself and eager to face the world. She does this with a
style that is simple, down to earth, and a lot of fun.
I always look
forward to our conversations.
My biggest fear of using a sport psychologist was that I would hear a
lot of high level mumbo jumbo that I wouldn’t understand or be able to
use. After having worked with Doris at different times over several
years, I realize now, I had nothing to fear. My experience with Doris
has been nothing but a great pleasure and a tremendous help.”
Geoff Teall
Professional Hunter/Jumper Rider, Trainer and Judge
2006 Show Hunter Horseman of the Year
USHJA Vice President
Wellington, Florida
"Equestrian sports psychology is not like other sport psychology.
When you deal in this area, you are dealing with two beings and
their relationship. You are also dealing with previous
relationships.
Doris
has been there and done that, she understands the nature of the
relationships between human and equine and she is skilled at
directing the necessary conversations to deal with the current
situation or something unresolved that you are carrying around. She
understands the right questions to ask.
I had
a pretty clear cut problem with fear and anxiety around rehabbing my
horse - I had two sessions with Doris and am now happy, content and
relaxed and carrying out my horse's rehab. I went from needing my
trainer to lead line me to trot... to totally not caring if my horse
spooks a bit or steps inadvertently into a canter - I feel normal.
As I
said to my trainer more than once when she commented on my relaxed
attitude, "psychology is a wonderful thing". I stand by my
statement, but I also stand by the fact that Doris has the necessary
background to go with the skills to bring about transformation for
the rider.
I have
recommended Doris to several people and would be happy to speak to
anyone about this."
Laura
Strassman
Amateur Adult Eventer
"Hi
Doris!
I just
wanted to thank you so much for all that you’ve helped me with. Ever
since I talked to you, I’ve been doing so much better, and my
confidence in myself and my ability has risen. Floyd and I finished
our first show last weekend and we ended up winning the Children’s
Hunters. It was the best time of my life. Floyd is the best and I
love him so much! Thank you so much. I don’t know how I would have
been so confident and successful without you.
Love,
Kasia and Floyd
Thank you so much!"
Kasia O'Brien
"Hi Doris,
I just wanted to let you know that Jordan and Logan were spectacular
this weekend at Saratoga! They won a big Taylor Harris and were 7th
in a really competitive USEF medal, beating a lot of kids with far
more 3'6" experience. I've never seen her ride so confidently, and
Logan responded with equal brillance. Thank you so much for your
help, as always."
Jen Stiller
"Hi Doris! I know I haven’t seen you for
a while, but I was the one that suffered from multiple riding
accidents! I wanted to send you an email to update you on
everything. During the past year, I’ve had a tremendous show
season, becoming very successful in the 3’ equitation and hunters,
and also pinning in a few finals! I am moving up to the Big Eq next
year and got a second in my first Maclay class! A year ago, I
couldn’t even imagine being where I am now, and I just wanted to
thank you for all your help, for you are a huge part of my success.
I have truly found the love of riding again, and have overcome all
my fears."
Thank you so much for everything!
Jane Chiavelli
Thank you, thank you,
thank you!
Things have been going SO well for me since I last talked to you.
I worked really hard in learning how to talk with my trainers. I was
finally able to tell them what was going on and what I needed and
they both said yes right away. This made all the difference in my
lessons. I have been moving forward – and actually having fun – ever
since then. So far, there have been absolutely no setbacks, and I
feel like I have a plan that actually works, and will keep working
even if something goes wrong. I have been going to a lot of horse
shows and have been consistently successful. I think the shows have
been so successful because my confidence is not tied to anyone but
myself. I don’t feel like I need my coach to hold my hand anymore.
And – I’ve been winning – I’ve gotten a first or second place at
every show I’ve been to. For the first time ever, at my last show, I
wasn’t nervous AT ALL!
Thanks so much for getting me to this point. I couldn’t have done it
without you!
Kate Bakkala
"Doris
put together a phenomenal workshop for our group of adult riders at
various stages of their showing careers. Everyone in the group – from
our trainer on down – felt like they got an incredible amount of
pertinent information and actionable ideas from the day, and they all
raved
about how capable and convincing Doris was, and how much fun they had
participating.
Doris’ winning combination of deep expertise in her
professional field and years of competition experience allows her to
offer workable recommendations, tailored specifically for the nuances
of the horse show world. Because she has been in the show ring – and
the schooling area – herself, she’s experienced what you’ve
experienced, and can offer vivid examples that make the concepts she
describes humorous, memorable, and real.
With a great ability to listen and then to channel the
discussion toward the topics that were of most value, Doris put a
tremendous amount of effort and enthusiasm into her day with us, and
we could all feel it. After working with Doris, I was incredibly
eager to go to a show and put some of the concepts we discussed into
action, confident that they will positively impact my riding over both
the short and long term."
Lisa Hankin
Equitation and Hunter/Jumper Rider
Dorset, VT and NYC, NY
I initially called Doris because I needed to address
fear and confidence issues that had been exacerbated by my horse’s
recent dangerous behavior. Although my vet had determined that the
problem was physical, and therefore the behavior could probably be
eliminated with treatment, I still increasingly dreaded going to the
barn during my horse’s rehab. In addition to the never-ending
anxiety, I was also very frustrated that I could not control my
feelings and rationalize my way out of the fear. I arrived in Doris’
office feeling helpless.
I was happily surprised when I left my first session
with Doris feeling like a dark cloud had lifted … Doris made me feel
capable of making significant changes in myself, empowered to make
some tough decisions about my horse, and, more importantly, hopeful
that I could begin to enjoy riding again.
Now just after a few more sessions, I have learned so
much about myself, my riding, and my horse. I have made substantial
progress towards feeling positive and confident in every interaction
with my horse – both on the ground and under saddle – and my
relationship with him is truly at a new level.
I can’t say enough about my experience with Doris. Her
expertise, her riding background, her patience, and her positive
energy are a powerful combination that can facilitate real change very
quickly. My expectations were far, far exceeded, and I look forward
to continuing to work with Doris to see what more we can achieve!
Abbey Lombardi
Dressage Rider
Sudbury, MA
“According to Isaac Newton, for every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction. That action could be a spooky horse, a fearful
rider, or someone who performs great at home, but panics at
horseshows. Working with Doris taught me how to become aware of my
thoughts, feelings, actions, and communications and to learn how to
change them – to produce the results I wanted – for myself and my
horse. My coaching experience was clear, direct and simple. And the
process was quick too! I saw dramatic results after my first visit and
didn’t need to come back after my fourth. The principals I learned in
my riding I apply to all areas of my life, with extremely favorable
outcomes!”
Megan Zidle
Hunter/Jumper Competitor
Dover, MA
“The best way for me to describe my coaching experience with Doris
is that it was fully collaborative and a true partnership. My learning
felt like a distinctly creative process that originated from me, with
Doris guiding me. Through this process I learned many things: I ride
my horse regularly and enjoy it thoroughly; I trailer my horse, by
myself whenever I choose, and I am relaxed and confident about it; I
ride in front of other people without feeling self-conscious, even
when the eyes of others may be critical and judging. I feel a sense of
peace and well-being in my life as a whole.
Doris was able to share specific tools and methods that, frankly, I
was not aware of anywhere, and since I am an information fanatic, this
pleasantly surprised me! Doris not only “connected the dots” in my
life, she also taught me how to connect the dots myself. Horsemanship
– riding, training, and keeping horses – has always been a huge part
and passion in my life that was sometimes a disappointment. Now it is
a part of my life that is so much richer and deeper and more
meaningful than I would have imagined. Now the saying “When it’s good,
it’s great and when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good” comes to mind
when I think about my life with horses – and actually, other areas of
my life as well.
I recently read an acronym: “D.P.A.A. + H”. It stands for Dramatic
Personal Achievement in the face of Adversity + Humor. That phrase
sums up my experience with Doris, a gifted healer and coach.”
Maureen Vanderstad
Dressage Rider and Student of Natural Horsemanship
East Haddam, CT
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