"I've managed to perfect my walk, trot, gallop and jump, but I can't seem to get my canter right. Is there any advice that you could give me? I have problems with my seat and I can't get the movement of the hips right. It looks so easy when my friends do it, and I feel I can do it, but when it comes to actually doing it, it all goes wrong. I have a show next month, and I don't want to give the impression that I haven't been practising." Rachel Ledbetter

H&C blogger and proprietor of Contessa Riding Centre, Tina Layton-Elliott BHSI replies: "Hi Rachel, thanks for your question. It is slightly difficult to answer without seeing you in the saddle, but I will try.

The first thing I would have to suggest is the good old lunge lesson. I think this would be a good starting point for improvement as it allows the rider to feel the movement of the horse and concentrate on their position without worrying where the horse is going or what he is doing. Is there somewhere nearby that you can go for lunge lessons? Or, if you have your own horse, would they be suitable on the lunge? Perhaps also some work without stirrups would help.

The hips are a tricky one as we are asking them to move in directions that they are not asked to in everyday life. If you are aware of the problem, you may be trying too hard to correct it which would cause tension and stiffness. You must be relaxed in your lower back to allow the pelvis to move, so perhaps concentrate on your lower back and abdominals rather than the hips themselves.

My other suggestion would be vaultese. If you don’t know much about it, it is basically gymnastics on horse back but it is open to all ages and levels and is fantastic for improving balance and co-ordination. It really allows you to feel the horse's movement in canter and go with it. I don’t know how far away you are, but we regularly hold introduction to vaultese day courses for young people and adults. Check out our website to find out more.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
Tina."