And that’s okay

Have you ever felt your tummy twist before a jumping round? Or your hands go sweaty just thinking about cantering? Maybe you’ve even said, ‘I don’t want to ride today,’ even though you love your pony. Guess what? That’s not just normal, it’s something every rider feels sometimes.

This is our Confidence Issue, and we’re starting right here: with fear. Because bravery doesn’t mean you never get scared. It means you keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

Where fear comes from

Fear can feel huge and overwhelming, but it’s really just your body trying to protect you, even if there’s nothing dangerous going on. Maybe you once fell off. Or your pony spooked. Or you just saw someone else have a scary moment and thought: ‘That could be me!’

When that happens, your brain hits the panic button. Your heart races. Your muscles tighten. You might want to run away, cry, or freeze. That’s called a fight-flight-freeze response — and it’s totally natural.

Even top riders feel it. They just learn how to work with it instead of letting it stop them.

You are not your fear

Fear doesn’t mean you’re weak or bad at riding. It means you care. You care about doing well. About staying safe. About your pony. That’s a good thing.

You can feel scared and be a great rider. You can feel unsure and get back in the saddle.

One feeling doesn’t define you. You are braver than you think.

What helps when you are nervous

Here are a few confidence-boosting ideas that many riders find helpful:

Talk about it: Tell your instructor, your parents, your friends, even your pony! Saying ‘I’m feeling a bit nervous today’ is a strength, not a weakness. You don’t have to hide it.

Start small: If jumping feels scary, try poles. If cantering feels too fast, trot without stirrups to build strength. You don’t have to do everything today. Tiny steps = big wins over time.

Breathe: Before you ride, take five deep breaths. Picture your favourite ride. It might be a fun trail or a great lesson. Feel that calm and confidence come back.

Remember your wins: Keep a journal or notebook with things you’ve achieved, even small ones! ‘I stayed calm when my pony spooked.’ ‘I asked a question in my lesson.’ Those count!

You’re not alone

This whole magazine is filled with ways to grow your confidence, from groundwork games to calming hacks to words of wisdom from coaches. You’ll learn that it’s okay to wobble, and that every rider (yes, every one) has had moments where they felt scared.

Sometimes all it takes is a nudge, a friend, or a reminder that it’s okay to feel nervous, and it’s even more okay to keep going anyway.

Final thoughts

Remember: courage isn’t about having zero fear. It’s about doing something with your pony even when you’re anxious. And every time you do that, you grow a little braver.

We believe in you. Now let’s get confident!

Top 5 confidence reminders

Cut this out, copy it down, or stick it on your tack box!

1. It’s okay to feel nervous.
   Even brave riders get wobbles. You’re not alone.
2. Start small.
   Tiny steps forward still count as progress.
3. You’ve done hard things before.
   Think of something you were scared of once, and how you did it anyway!
4. Your pony doesn’t care if you’re perfect.
   They just want to spend time with you.
5. You’re braver than you believe.
   Confidence grows every time you show up and try.