Overcoming Canter Anxiety Ride with Confidence Again

Overcoming Canter Anxiety Ride with Confidence Again

From Dressage with Amelia by Amelia Newcomb

April 17, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

This episode focuses on overcoming canter anxiety and building confidence in riders through practical strategies and exercises.

This week’s Q&A is a mini webinar all about overcoming canter anxiety and building confidence step by step. Nicole shares a really helpful perspective on why the canter can feel so intimidating, and how breaking it down into smaller, more manageable pieces can make it feel so much more doable. In this mini-webinar, you’ll learn: Why the canter feels so intimidating and what’s really happening The foundation for confidence through position, balance, and preparation Simple strategies to build confidence step by step One of the biggest themes in this session is that confidence comes from preparation. She talks through the key foundations that make the canter feel safer and more rideable, from position and balance to the trot exercises that directly support better canter work. There is also a great discussion on how improving the basics can take away that feeling of surprise and give riders more control. Nicole also shares a simple exercise, “bookending the canter” that is especially helpful for nervous riders, plus answers questions about rushing, unstable lower legs, horses that speed up instead of striking off, and how to rebuild confidence after setbacks. If the canter has…

People in this episode

Host: Amelia Newcomb

Guest: Nicole

Topics covered

  • canter anxiety
  • confidence building
  • riding techniques
  • position and balance
  • trot exercises
  • nervous riders

Keywords

  • canter
  • anxiety
  • confidence
  • riding
  • exercises
  • position
  • balance
  • trot
  • control
  • preparation

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