Anyone who has ever ridden a horse with seemingly endless amounts of energy will know that channelling it into something useful is a balancing act. You want to harness their enthusiasm without it tipping into tension or becoming difficult to control especially in the dressage arena.For Irelands Sam Watson, building trust has been key to keeping his exuberant Defender Burghley ride, Ballyneety Rocketman, focused in a big atmosphere.The 12-year-old gelding really lit up at Wednesdays first horse inspection, snorting, on his toes and looking at the crowds. Sam wondered whether he might struggle to contain the horse once they entered the main arena for their dressage test.This is his fourth five-star, so hes done Burghley before, hes done two Badmintons, and I did worry that after the trot-up, because he hasnt exploded quite that much before, that they get to know where they are, said Sam.They cant ever be afraidHe has been riding Rocketman since he was four and explained that the key to managing all that energy is trust.It is about trust, he said. I think its the same with teaching humans in school. Of course youve got to have a bit of discipline, but they cant ever be afraid. Youve got to be the teacher that they want to go to.Youve got to become the teacher that if they have a problem and theyre feeling anxious and nervous, youre their security blanket. Youre the teacher they can trust.Of course youve still got to train them, and youve got to say, Hey, mate, you made a mistake there, lets go back and do it again, but youve got to discipline with kindness and with empathy.Its high performance, and youve got to look for high standards, but you do that through repetition. The horse does not ever get anything to be anxious [about] from me, and over the years you hope that that helps him go, Okay, teacher knows best. Whatever youre asking, Ill try my best.'Confidence from consistencySam said Rocketman settled and started their test nicely today (4 September), although he was disappointed to make a costly mistake in the second-to-last flying change.The trot work was the best its been for sure, so thats going the right way, he said. The second-to-last change was an absolute car crash. It was a shame to put something that big an error into a test. You know, at this level, the rider shouldnt be letting that happen, but youve got to take the progress in terms of looking forward.Looking ahead to tomorrows cross-country, Sam said that if his horses attention is drawn away from him, controlling his power and pace could become difficult.Sometimes he can go, Oh wow, theres crowds, theres whatever, and if his attention leaves me, it is difficult because he has so much pace, he explained. I dont think theres a horse in here who would match him over a furlong going up a gallop. When he gets open and when he gets long, for him to get back is difficult.What does help is the ground, because the slower horses want to bounce off firm ground. They dont want any energy loss; they want to skid across the top of it because thats their most efficient way. Hes the opposite. Hes got so much speed, so much power, he needs that cut [in the ground] to slow down, so the conditions are right for him.The four S responsibilitiesOnce out of the start box, Sams focus will be on keeping that partnership together.All my focus is on what he is thinking, its not about me at all and its certainly not about the scoreboard, he said. You just focus on, is he relaxed? Have I got his right shoulder? Does he feel even in both reins? Is he listening to me? What can I do to help that?I have four responsibilities: control the speed, the straightness, the softness, and stay on my 4 Ss. If I can do that, normally it goes pretty well. Keeping the speed right and keeping the straightness thats all Im thinking about.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentChronic bucker once facing a bullet takes on Burghley with Aussie first timer15 years later: Kiwi rider returns to Burghley with ex-racehorse and Melman the giraffe mascotFrom failed sale to Burghley: Caroline Pamukcu makes her debut on unlikely five-star horseHow to watch this weeks Defender BurghleyThe post Teacher knows best: Sam Watsons approach to riding a horse with oodles of energy appeared first on Your Horse.