Sophie

Sophie had a very tense horse at the start of her lesson.

She needed to sit back on her seat muscles, softly lift her waistline and drop her hands. This way, her horse felt her relax and breath evenly.

The lesson started in sitting trot so that her horse felt unrestricted and Sophie could keep her balance. She had to remember to look straight and not down to one side.

After a few circles on the left rein first, then a change of direction, the strides settled into a more regular pace and Sophie could maintain a smooth steady contact.