Cardiff School of Sport DISSERTATION ASSESSMENT PROFORMA: Empirical 1 Bethany Jarvis Student Name: Student ID: 20003502

Cardiff School of Sport DISSERTATION ASSESSMENT PROFORMA: Empirical 1 Bethany Jarvis Student name: Student ID: 20003502 Programme: SES AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND Dissertation title: PERFORMANCE AMONGST HORSE RIDERS DURING A DREESAGE COMPETITION Supervisor: Dr. Richard Neil Comments Section Title and Abstract (5%) Title to include: A concise indication of the research question/problem. Abstract to include: A concise summary of the empirical study undertaken. Introduction and literature review (25%) To include: outline of context (theoretical/conceptual/applied) for the question; analysis of findings of previous related research including gaps in the literature and relevant contributions; logical flow to, and clear presentation of the research problem/ question; an indication of any research expectations, (i.e., hypotheses if applicable). Methods and Research Design (15%) To include: details of the research design and justification for the methods applied; participant details; comprehensive replicable protocol. Results and Analysis (15%) 2 To include: description and justification of data treatment/ data analysis procedures; appropriate presentation of analysed data within text and in tables or figures; description of critical findings. Discussion and Conclusions (30%) 2 To include: collation of information and ideas and evaluation of those ideas relative to the extant literature/concept/theory and research question/problem; adoption of a personal position on the study by linking and combining different elements of the data reported; discussion of the real-life impact of your research findings for coaches and/or practitioners (i.e. practical implications); discussion of the limitations and a critical reflection of the approach/process adopted; and indication of potential improvements and future developments building on the study; and a conclusion which summarises the relationship between the research question and the major findings. Presentation (10%) To include: academic writing style; depth, scope and accuracy of referencing in the text and final reference list; clarity in organisation, formatting and visual presentation 1 This form should be used for both quantitative and qualitative dissertations. The descriptors associated with both quantitative and qualitative dissertations should be referred to by both students and markers. 2 There is scope within qualitative dissertations for the RESULTS and DISCUSSION sections to be presented as a combined section followed by an appropriate CONCLUSION. The mark distribution and criteria across these two sections should be aggregated in those circumstances. CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd CARDIFF SCHOOL OF SPORT DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE 2013-14 AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND PERFORMANCE AMONGST HORSE RIDERS DURING A DREESAGE COMPETITION Psychology Bethany Jarvis St20003502 AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND PERFORMANCE AMONGST HORSE RIDERS DURING A DREESAGE COMPETITION Cardiff Metropolitan University Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd Certificate of student By submitting this document, I certify that the whole of this work is the result of my individual effort, that all quotations from books and journals have been acknowledged, and that the word count given below is a true and accurate record of the words contained (omitting contents pages, acknowledgements, indices, tables, figures, plates, reference list and appendices). Word count: 11,992 Name: Bethany Sian Jarvis Date: 20/03/14 Certificate of Dissertation Supervisor responsible I am satisfied that this work is the result of the student’s own effort. I have received dissertation verification information from this student Name: Date: Notes: The University owns the right to reprint all or part of this document. CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 Introduction 1 2 Literature Review 4 3 Methodology 16 4 Results 21 5 Discussion 38 References 46 Appendix A Interview Guide Appendix B Transcripts Appendix C Example of Dressage Test Score Sheet Appendix D Result Table Appendix E Ethics Status CONTENTS OF TABLES Table Title Page 4.2.1 Anxiety and Performance Profile of Participant One 18 4.3.1 Anxiety and Performance Profile of Participant Two 21 4.4.1 Anxiety and Performance Profile of Participant Three 23 4.5.1 Anxiety and Performance Profile of Participant Four 26 4.6.1 Anxiety and Performance Profile of Participant Five 28 4.7.1 Anxiety and Performance Profile of Participant Six 31 CONTENTS OF FIGURES Figure Title Page 2.2.1: Yerkes and Dodson’s (1908) Inverted U Theory 6 (McMorris, 2004) 2.2.2: Hull’s (1943) equation of Drive Theory. (Jarvis, 2006) 7 2.2.3: Fazey and Hardy’s (1988) Cusp Catastrophe Theory 9 (Kerr, 1997) 2.2.4: Hanin (1980) Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning 10 (Weinberg and Gould, 2011) ACKNOWLEGMENTS I’d like to thank and express my gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Richard Neil. Your cool, calm and collected manner towards tackling issues has kept me level headed throughout this process. I appreciate your efforts towards an unfamiliar sport for you and the patience to understand equestrianism. Not only have you advised me academically, you have displayed an interest of care beyond your advisory role, which I greatly appreciate. I would also like to thank all the participants who were involved in the study. Without their involvement the study would not have been able to take place. I am truly grateful for the cooperation and willingness to participant in my study. i ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety and performance amongst horse riders during a dressage competition via a qualitative approach. Method: Six recreational horse riders were interviewed alongside a dressage test score sheet provided by the participants. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to gather information about participant’s anxiety and performance of both the horse and rider at different sections of a dressage competition. Results and Conclusions: The findings of the study highlighted that when anxiety was high, performance was negatively affected and when anxiety was low, performance was at its greatest. It was identified the importance of the influence both the horse and rider had on one another as each one’s anxiety was easily translated through to one another, causing a negative effect to performance as a whole. It was therefore taken into consideration the challenging role a rider has to be able to control the horse’s anxiety as well as their own. ii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 INTRODUCTION In the review the relationship between anxiety and performance will be discussed. It will focus on defining anxiety as well as the various relationships anxiety and performance have. It will look into the different theories that have been developed over time that explore this relationship within sport. The theories and previous research will also be reviewed specific to equestrianism. 1.2 ANXIETY AND PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP IN SPORT Within sport it is common knowledge that anxiety and performance have various relationships. There have been many theories and models developed over time to help gain knowledge and understanding about the function of this relationship. For example, a vast amount of research has considered how anxiety affects performance, either in a beneficial or debilitative way. 1.3 ANXIETY AND PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP IN EQUESTRIANISM Within equestrianism anxiety is commonly experienced and can have both a positive and negative effect to performance. It is important to understand that each discipline within equestrianism encounters different demands and failure to cope with these can often result in anxiety and poor performance from both the horse and rider. To successfully ride and compete a horse, mental focus is required as well as skill and understanding of equine behaviour (Dosil, 2006). Dressage requires harmony between horse and rider to produce an aesthetically pleasing test. Calmness and relaxation are the requirements to create an effortless picture of the horse and rider working together. Having a negative mental state could inhibit focus of the rider, which could translate through to the horse. The disciplines which requires a jumping element whether it be show jumping, the cross country phase of eventing or team chasing, requires more energy. Show jumping still requires calmness between horse and rider but controlled energy needs to be established, meaning more arousal is required in comparison to dressage. In relation to anxiety it is important to acknowledge that any performance carried out is a combination of both horse and rider. Equines are very intelligent and sensitive animals. They are creatures of habit. This means that when they are out of their usual environment they can experience anxiety just like humans. Horses are extremely sensitive, meaning 1 they can be nervous and highly reactive paying great attention and alertness to their environment. (McBane, 2012). Therefore equine riders have the challenging task of managing the anxiety levels for both themselves and the horse. 2 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 DEFINING ANXIETY 2.1.1 ANXIETY IN SPORT Anxiety was defined as a negative emotional state with feelings of nervousness, worry, apprehension associated with activation or arousal of the body from a reaction to a stimulus perceived as dangerous. (Spielberger,1972; Weinberg and Gould, 2011). Anxiety can

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