How can I relax ?

[ChestnutGelding5]

Hey guys!
I took my Pony Club C+ test the other day, I passed but the examiner said I'm a very tight rider. By tight I'm assuming she meant tense? Anyway, she said I have a lot of muscle, which is good but I'm using it at a disadvantage because I'm becoming very tight.
i was wandering if any of you have/had similar problems or if any of you know what sort of things I can do to 'loosen myself up'
here's a video of me riding so you can all get a clearer image of what I'm doing wrong.

Any extra advice you have on my riding would be extremely appreciated
and I can take harsh comments if they're gonna help me improve x

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xWiIhZvIXLQ

ps. I have a feeling a lot of people will say speak to your instructor, I will when I next have a lesson but that's in a while so any advice I can work on until then would be great thank you

 

[ponies4ever]

you look like you're having to hold your horse a lot!!! why don't you try maybe trying to get him to slow down and become more responsive to your hands so that you can loosen your reins a bit and everything can calm down. transitions are really good for this. try riding without stirrups or with your reins on the buckle so you don't hold them so tight (not criticising I don't really blame you!) and and then you will use your seat more for controlling your speed and you can stop holding him back so much. My friend got told this and I suspect it was because she winds up her pony and then can't hold him. It didn't look like you were but why don't you try and ride as quietly as you can e.g. using only very light aids, keeping all paces as slow as possible. dunno if this will be of any use but if it isn't then just try rolling your shoulders and taking a deep breath!

 

[oldie48]

What a super honest little horse! But it's all far too fast and furious,isn't it? TBH you don't really look in control and if the fences go up, the horse could struggle a bit because she doesn't have the quality of canter needed for bigger fences and it's motor biking round the corners instead of you using the corners to sit the horse on it's hocks and improve the canter. i'd just try to slow everything down whilst keeping the impulsion. you are a confident well balanced rider and it's time to move on to start influencing the horse's way of going rather than just riding what you've got under you. yes, your riding instructor is thebest person to help you but there's also loads of videos on the internet too that are worth a look. eg look at how the best SJ riders ride, they all do loads of flatwork!