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Boost your confidence in the saddle with these 6 steps to channel focus and shake off the nerves

If your confidence in the saddle has taken a knock, there are ways to get back on track. In the first part of this exclusive series on rider confidence for H&H subscribers, we take a look a six steps to help boost your self-belief and get you on target to achieve your goals
Becky Murray Becky Murray

    • Successful riding has never been simply about talent of horse and rider. Ability and even sound horsemanship can only take you so far. One of the fundamental keys for riders is to build confidence to enable them to fulfil the potential of both sides of the partnership. Naturally, confidence is essential in the horse as well, but a positive and assured approach from the person in the saddle is a large part of the equation.

    Whether your confidence has been shattered by a bad experience such as a fall, a string of poor results or an inappropriate horse, or you have felt out of control for whatever reason and unable to enjoy riding at all, there are measures you can take to get back in the saddle, so to speak.

    6 steps to build confidence for riders

    • Did you find this article useful? This is part of a series of articles to help riders improve their confidence, whether they want to hack around the block or compete at the highest level, so keep visiting for more expert advice to help improve your riding life.

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    Becky Murray
    Becky Murray

    H&H senior news writer
    Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
    Becky Murray

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