Firstly, I
learned to keep my hands still. Previously I had got into the habit of moving
my hands backwards and forwards with the motion of the horse’s head. But this
was causing tightness then slack the reins.
By keeping my hands still it’s
possible to maintain a constant and even reign contact which gives more control
over the horse and can also help to strengthen the animal's neck and back
muscles
Secondly, I learned that it’s possible to ease the horse onto the bit by
alternately opening and closing the fingers that are holding the reins. Again,
the idea here is to keep the hands as still as possible so that they remain in
the same position. I started by alternately pulling back on the left rein hen
right rein but another way would be by opening and closing the fingers and that
this way the hands remain still.
Thirdly, I learned that the same principle of opening and closing the
fingers that hold the reins can be used to steer the horse. For example,
closing the right fingers will tighten the right reign which will bend the
horse’s neck to the right. Given what I have learned about the reign being used
togetherwith the opposite leg then squeezing the right reign and using the
left leg will cause the horse to move to the right. The point of using the left
leg is so that the horse’s rear end does not swing out causing him to
over-turn. The outside leg also pushes the horse away from the leg in the
general direction that it is turning.
Fourthly, I
learned that keeping the elbows bent and slightly back so that a vertical line
can be drawn from the ear through the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle, is
a good way to maintain a comfortable body position. I’m not sure about this one
as my elbows feel too far back than I have been using them. It does feel like
there’s more power and leverage in my arms that way though.
Fifth, I
learned not to shout when a horse takes off or spooks. Making any kind of
verbal noise gives the horse more energy and thinks there’s more reason to run
which would be a problem if you are focusing on cantering at that point of time.
Sixth, the
body is used to move in time with the horse’s body and give it the energy and
impulsion and rhythm to move forward. There’s also the idea that the body can
be used to slow a horse and for downward transitions and I’ve been told several
times that slowing the pace of rises can slow the trot but it may be difficult
to have the physical control to master this.
Seventh, A
recommendation would be that you watch dressage riders and the motion of their
hands. The riders wear white gloves so that the movements stand out the judges
can mark them.
source from 
source from 
This rider is rising on the correct diagonal.
source from(
image from( http://klharms.blogspot.sg/2011/10/sport-of-show-jumping.htl)
image from( http://klharms.blogspot.sg/2011/10/sport-of-show-jumping.htl)