5 BEST EXERCISES To Improve Balance & Confidence
1.     Testing Balance On the Ground Balance and confidence go hand in hand.  If you loose your balance, you loose your confidence!   But GOOD NEWS…here is a way to test & dramatically improve your balance.  Step 1  Here I have asked Victorian State Jnr Dressage Squad Member, Jessica Mansas to point one toe & at the same time raise one arm in front & behind her....sound easy....try it!	Step 2  Often if our balance is poor, or we are injured, step 1 is all we can manage, however if we practice, most people can manage step 2 as well. Here Jessica’s “Big Sister”, Katherine, also on the Victorian State Jnr Dressage Squad, shows us Step 2 – take the position up on one toe. Practicing this exercise is a great way to improve balance & confidence.  How long can you stay up?
2.       Testing Balance - On the Horse A great way to test the rider's balance on the horse is to have the rider stand up in the stirrups and see if they can stay standing as your trainer puts their hand on your heel and pushes your leg forward. The first few times you’ll probably fall back into the saddle…But it’s a great way to improve your balance INSTANTLY!	Balance & confidence go hand in hand
3.       Best Ground Exercise Here I ask pupil & Victorian State Jnr Dressage Squad Member, Asher Jackson, to show us how just bouncing up & down, getting your balance on a small, inexpensive trampoline gives you a great boost in confidence.  Every day, even the advanced rider, will make more confident and complicated moves. We often concentrate on the wrong things...is the horse going to bolt, or are they going to shy, when we really should be concentrating on RHYTHM. Here Asher bounces up and down in time to trot music (Elton John’s Crocodile Rock) while holding a dressage whip in her hand.  Having to keep the hand still while moving the body helps us concentrate on something different for a change.	Concentrating on rhythm instead of your fears
4.       Best Ridden Exercise Without doubt...the fastest way to improve your balance and confidence is to learn to stand up fully – especially in trot!  You might need to shorten your stirrups for this exercise, but in just 3-4 short weeks, you will see a huge improvement in your balance & confidence. By the way...if it is easy...you're probably only leaning forward in jumping position and not standing FULLY.   Give it a go - the only thing you have to loose is FEAR!	STANDING FULLY The fastest way to improve your balance & confidence that there is
5.    Going the extra mile Ever ‘felt funny’ because you’re not wearing a seatbelt in the car?  ‘Extra’ things like knowing your equipment won’t fail sets your mind at ease – especially for extreme sports riders like jockeys & eventers You must have the right equipment riding to really know that your seat belt is going to work.   Breastplates & surcingles & body protectors for jumping are just the start of us KNOWING our equipment won't fail. Going the 'extra mile' means reading and learning more about sports psychology, confidence building, yoga & relaxation, creative visualization, neuro-linguistic programming, even public speaking it really will start to make all the difference.  And, just by reading this you are already on your way! Please do not hesitate to email me if I can help you in any way with your confidence, or you would like me to do a confidence building course at your riding or pony club email: info@colleenkelly.net

Come & watch! Gymnastic exercises
for
horse riders
click here

Teacher Training	Speaking at Your Club	Calendar	Our horses		Free Dressage Music	Lessons	Success Stories	Shop	About Colleen Kelly

©  2010 Colleen Kelly Biomechanics.   www.colleenkelly.net  
All articles & information on this website copyright (unless otherwise indicated) to Colleen Kelly, PO Box 1083, Bacchus Marsh, Vic. Australia.  
All rights reserved.    Last modified: 02/18/10. 
Contact us for general information, or please report any specific website problems to webmaster@colleenkelly.net