Foxcroft School and its riding program were front and center at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida — the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) — Wednesday, Feb. 1 when the School sponsored a seminar with mental skills coach Tonya Johnston.

The special "Lunch & Learn" workshop, "Mental Skills: Tools for Success in the Ring and the Classroom," brought together more than 60 riders, trainers, and owners from across the WEF show grounds for an educational afternoon.

Johnston, an equestrian Mental Skills Coach, and A-circuit competitor shared valuable information with the audience — which included most of the 13 Foxcroft students who are training and competing in Wellington through the School's Exceptional Proficiency (EP) program. Started in the 1990s when Alison Firestone Robitaille '95 was a rising Grand Prix rider and a Foxcroft student, EP enables girls to spend time away from campus to pursue passions from riding and ski racing to playing the piano at the highest levels while remaining students in good standing and integral members of the Foxcroft community.

At the Wellington workshop, Johnston, who has a master's in sports psychology, encouraged members of the audience to share their different riding challenges and experiences and to consider the importance of self-awareness and understanding to help them achieve success. Johnston also reminded the group to stay focused on things that are within their control, such as setting realistic goals, preparation, planning, and maintaining positive energy in the classroom and the riding ring.

"Tonya connected with the audience and provided excellent insight into competitors and students of all ages," said Kate Worsham, Foxcroft's riding director. "I took copious notes and am looking forward to continuing to implement her techniques with my Foxcroft riders."

A video of the presentation is available on the Riding page of Foxcroft's website (www.foxcroft.org).