1. Watch training videos and read equestrian books and articles. Write down the ideas you like and plan to incorporate them into your riding when.
2. Improve your physique. Start yoga or Pilates classes to help with core strength and balance. Or just simply do some exercises at home. You’ll see massive results in your riding in no time.
3. Attend any top rider clinics or demos in your area. These are a great way to learn new skills! You can attend with a notepad and pen to take ideas and apply them to your work.
4. Observe your horse and other horses during their time in the field. It's amazing how much you can learn about these wonderful creatures just by watching their body language.
5. Book a lesson on a schoolmaster if money permits. Riding a horse that's more highly trained than your own can give you invaluable ideas about training and help you to get a better feel for what you're trying to achieve with your own horse.
6. Visit equestrian forums to gain ideas from other horse riders. Forums can be a great place to seek advice on your own riding issues, too.
7. To improve your lower leg position in the saddle, stand with one heel over the edge of a stair, with your other foot firmly on the stair above. Press down into your heel and repeat 10 times before changing legs. Do this every day and watch your lower leg become so much more secure when you ride.
8. Organise regular coffee mornings with like-minded friends, so you can discuss riding techniques and bounce ideas off each other.
9. Watch YouTube clips of top riders in your field riding at their best. There you can find lessons, lectures and much more for every discipline.
10. Watch videos of yourself riding. Be constructively critical and think about areas where you can improve. Ask an expert or a more experienced person for advice on how to improve your weaker areas but find someone who can also boost your confidence and not bring you down!