Action plan to hopefully become a decent rider

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~Howrse~Mad~

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Well i am hopefully going to be having lessons once every-week, to re-fresh and re-do the basics of schooling (as they are very rusty), and then i am hoping to begin dressage whether it be along side the schooling or after schooling (which i know should always be constantly being perfected) or after i have learnt the basics, opinions on what you think it best please? i was just wondering what the basics of dressage covers? I know dressage takes years to master and perfect, just hope and want to get good :). Just really dedicated, committed and passionate about getting good, as i see so many riders not just professionals that are inspiring and i want to become like, because of their position, confidence, talent, etc. Do you think i can? I suppose practise does make perfect, i love the challenge of riding, but i just want to reassure myself that i am getting better and are going to get to where i want to be which is to eventually compete and get a riding position somewhere close to this: I feel because i have been riding for 3 years on and off and for the last year continuous, and the same with lessons (on and off )that i should be better than i am, as i only intended to be a happy hacker from the beginning and have only decided now that i want to compete in the near future. The basics (walk, trot, canter, shapes, on each rein, with diagonals) are still rusty so they are my first focus.
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Riding position that i inspire to one day have ;).
 
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I am in the same boat.

I have been riding almost 3 years. I started when I was 23. IMO schooling and dressage basics are the same thing. In order to become a good rider in general, you need to have a good independent seat, you need to be able to walk, trot, canter etc.

Schooling shapes and different exercises help both you and your horse with the basics, regardless of whether they are prep basics or grand prix basics as each level builds onto another. Prep gets you ready for Prelim, Prelim gets you ready for Novice and so on and so forth.

If you work hard and keep focused, there is no reason they you shouldn't achieve your goals. The only person that can prevent you getting there is yourself. Ride as many different horses as you can, because that way you will learn different ways of schooling horses. You will have more tools in your tool belt. Talk to as many people as you can, learn different ways of doing things.

I hope that makes sense and I am not rambling too much? It's what I have found helpful, and I don't know how to explain it properly. lol :)
 
Choose a different photo ( get one of Carl ) that girl is quite good but no where near perfect . Perfect of course is not possible but if you are going to aim high get a picture of someone not looking down and with out 'piano playing' hands. I think all of us aspire to ride better after all that's part of the fun. Dressage is a 'ladder' sport so you can start at the bottom and work up. Have you got your own horse?
 
Definitely swap the photo for one of Carl Hester. He has such a beautiful position that just thinking about him helps your position. I read recently that even the great Mary King aspires to Carl's position and "pictures" him while she is riding!
 
Yes agree! Get a pic of Carl! He rides classically so you want to start delving into the principles of classical equitation, theory and practical.

Start with Sylvia Loch books, maybe Heather Moffat, then from there see where it takes you...
 
3 years isn't very long! I have been riding more like 20 years and am still absolutely nowhere near Carl Hester at all hehe. I have found over the years I tend to go through short periods of improvement and then plateau for quite a while. Recently I have improved due to a) increasing my hours in the saddle, if you want to improve quickly once a week isn't enough (sorry I don't know if you have your own horse) b) finding a good instructor who believes in you and will push you out of your comfort zone c) riding different horses and riding *good* horses.

A lot of riding is about enjoying the journey and every small incremental improvement you make. Have fun! :)
 
I think a lot of improvement comes from hours of practise. I really started to improve when I had a lesson daily and rode about five horses a day for work. I'm not suggesting that you need to do anything like this amount of riding to get the result you want, not at all but I do think only riding once a week might become frustrating for you as you might not see progress as quickly as you would like to. If you can't ride anymore than once a week then I suggest exercising to specifically build the muscles you need for riding, so core strength would be your main focus. A lot of getting that amazing position is about having the correct muscles built to enable you to hold yourself in the saddle. Pilates is great for riding, look for a teacher in your area as it's something you really need to be taught how to do correctly to get the full benefits from it.

You'll get there! Just patience, practice and perseverance!
 
*sprinkles* said:
I think a lot of improvement comes from hours of practise. I really started to improve when I had a lesson daily and rode about five horses a day for work. I'm not suggesting that you need to do anything like this amount of riding to get the result you want, not at all but I do think only riding once a week might become frustrating for you as you might not see progress as quickly as you would like to. If you can't ride anymore than once a week then I suggest exercising to specifically build the muscles you need for riding, so core strength would be your main focus. A lot of getting that amazing position is about having the correct muscles built to enable you to hold yourself in the saddle. Pilates is great for riding, look for a teacher in your area as it's something you really need to be taught how to do correctly to get the full benefits from it.

You'll get there! Just patience, practice and perseverance!
Click to expand...

Completely agree and would recommend finding a small class ie 6 or less.
 
Ok dokie thank you for all your advice everyone, i do own my own goregous horse and usually ride him at least 5 - 6 times a week, but when i started to ride i only intended to be a "happy hacker", but now i want to inco-operate schooling into my routine, i do have lessons every week and have just started :).
 
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