Canter on!!!But i need some help...PLEASE!!!

[horsecrazy101]

i need som help!!My Fresian gelding has a nice smooth collected canter but i always feel like im goin to fall off him no matter how much i relaxxed myself and us my leg muscels.Also I wanna start showing this yer but i get really nervous when people watch me ride cuz i feel like all they see are the things im doing wrong.Do you have any advice for either of these problems?!?!

[horseygal90]

On the showing matter, its all confidence. If you believe that you and your horse can do it, then the sky's the limit!(Little off topic, I know but) Sometimes I feel like that sometimes, especially when I'm dancing in front of people incase I look stupid, but if I relax then I'm normally fine.

[Colorado Sunset]

Try some work without stirrups and, if your brave enough some bareback. Get used to him in walk and trot bareback, and then canter should be a lot easier to sit to, its soooo much smoother than trot.

As with having other people watch you ride, i have the same problem. I always end up focussing on how bad i am, and how bad i must look to them, instead of on the horse. Dont have many tips here, as im trying to get over it myself! Take the plunge and go to some shows, just small local ones, there will be hardly anyone watching!! The more you go to the less youll focus on the people watching, and the more youll focus on your horse doing well.

Good luck, but dont let your nerves spoil your fun,

Jo