My Experience

I went riding lessons with my beginner friends. I knew how to trot already but I took a long break from riding so felt kind of weird. 
 
I suggest not to tense up when you are riding like gripping with your knees, it makes the horse or pony you are riding feel nervous too. It was fun, no , EXTREMELY fun as the horse I'm riding (Fork ) is super calm but not "sloppy" ok, maybe a little sloppy. He (gelding) always stop at the point where I always lead him in the manege. When you know your horse is about to stop or starting to feel he is slowing down, nudge him on don't just sit there and let him stop. It will be harder to make your horse walk when he stops. Remember, you're the boss not your horse, be the boss not bossy. Don't let him pull you around the arena while you sit on the saddle trying to pull him back back to the track. 
 


 Our insructor was very funny too. Back to riding, do not keep your reins to short nor too long. My friend kept her reins too long and her horse took the chance to turn 360 degrees around . Place your weight evenly on you seat bones to balance your horse. Sometimes on the saddle I felt Fork's hindquarters lift up I thought he was going to buck but instead he just pooed !