Building Rider Confidence: How to Become a Braver, More Effective Equestrian

The good news? Confidence can be built, strengthened, and developed just like any other riding skill. Let’s explore how you can boost your confidence, overcome setbacks, and ride with courage, focus, and belief in yourself.

Why Rider Confidence Matters

Confidence isn’t just about feeling brave—it directly affects how you ride and how your horse responds to you.

🔹 Improves Your Position & Effectiveness – Confident riders sit taller, move with their horse, and give clearer aids. Hesitant riders may grip, lean forward, or send mixed signals.

🔹 Helps Your Horse Feel Secure – Horses are incredibly sensitive to our emotions. A confident rider reassures their horse, while an anxious rider can cause tension or hesitation.

🔹 Leads to Better Performance in Virtual Equine Events – Confidence allows you to ride boldly, making your movements more fluid, decisive, and polished—helping you earn better scores in equitation, dressage, horsemanship and trail classes.

🔹 Reduces Fear & Anxiety – Confidence helps you stay calm under pressure, whether you're riding a new horse, facing a difficult course, or submitting a competition video.

How to Build Your Riding Confidence

1️⃣ Master the Basics & Set Small Goals

Confidence grows when you feel in control and prepared. If you’re struggling with nerves, focus on:

✅ Perfecting foundational skills – Work on your position, balance, and aids until they feel second nature.
✅ Setting small, achievable goals – Instead of thinking, “I need to be perfect,” focus on small wins like maintaining a steady rhythm or riding a balanced circle.
✅ Practicing in a low-pressure environment – Use VEE as a way to gain experience without the pressure of a live audience.

📝 Try This: Choose one skill to improve in your next VEE class (e.g., smoother transitions, steadier hands). Track your progress and celebrate small wins!

2️⃣ Ride with a Confident Mindset

What you say to yourself matters! Negative thoughts like “I can’t do this” or “I’m going to mess up” create doubt. Instead, practice:

🧠 Positive Self-Talk – Replace fears with statements like “I am prepared”, “I can handle this”, and “I trust my horse”.

🎯 Visualization – Picture yourself riding successfully before you get in the saddle. Studies show that mental rehearsal improves actual performance!

💪 Power Posing – Before riding, stand tall, take deep breaths, and imagine yourself confident and capable. Your brain will believe it!

📝 Try This: Before filming your next VEE Class, close your eyes and visualize a successful, confident round. Notice how this changes your mindset!

3️⃣ Train for Challenges & Push Your Comfort Zone

Confidence comes from proving to yourself that you can handle new situations. Build confidence by:

🐎 Practicing "show-like" situations – Ride as if you’re being judged during practice. Set up a phone or mirror to simulate the feeling of being watched.

🛑 Breaking challenges into smaller steps – Nervous about a jump? Start with poles on the ground. Anxious about cantering? Master the trot first and then try just a few strides of canter.

🎥 Recording & Reviewing Your Rides – One of the best things about Virtual Equine Events is the ability to watch and analyze your progress. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, look for what went well and where you can improve.

📝 Try This: Pick a past VEE competition video and find 3 things you did well—even if they’re small! Confidence grows when you recognize your strengths.

4️⃣ Build a Confident Partnership with Your Horse

Confidence isn’t just about you—it’s also about trusting your horse. Work on:

✔ Groundwork & Relationship Building – A strong connection with your horse makes you feel safer and more in sync.
✔ Consistent Training Routines – Horses (and riders) thrive on routine. The more consistent your training, the more predictable and comfortable riding feels.
✔ Learning to Breathe & Relax – If you feel tense, take deep breaths, loosen your grip, and focus on rhythm.

📝 Try This: Before riding, spend 5 minutes grooming, breathing, and connecting with your horse. Notice how this affects your confidence in the saddle.

5️⃣ Compete to Gain Confidence, Not Perfection

Many riders feel nervous about competing—but the best way to gain confidence is through experience.

Virtual Equine Events are the perfect way to:
🏅 Compete from home in a comfortable environment
📹 Film your ride multiple times to build confidence before submission
📈 Get constructive feedback to improve without pressure

Confidence Tip: Instead of focusing on winning, enter VEE with the goal of gaining experience, learning, and improving your mindset.

📝 Try This: Choose one VEE Challenge or class to enter this month, even if you feel nervous. Confidence grows each time you push through self-doubt!

Final Thoughts: Confidence is a Skill You Can Build

Every confident rider started somewhere. If you feel nervous, unsure, or frustrated, know that confidence is something you can develop—step by step.

💡 Remember:
✔ Believe in your abilities – You are more capable than you think!
✔ Take small steps – Confidence grows with practice, not perfection.
✔ Use Virtual Equine Events as a tool – Compete in a low-pressure, supportive environment to build your skills.
✔ Trust your horse – A confident rider helps create a confident horse.

Ready to boost your confidence and take on your next Virtual Equine Event? Enter a class or challenge, trust yourself, and enjoy the ride! 🚀🐎