As you have got older how has your riding changed?

I think I got braver - but now on the downward slide.

15yrs ago the thought of galloping across an open field or doing XC filled me with fear and dread.

Up until recently I was game for anything, fast and furious.

But in the last 18 months maybe I've lost a bit of gung-ho ness after several nasty falls and 2 trips to A&E, and I really don't like riding other peoples' horses now whereas a few years ago I was always flattered to be asked.
 
A little poem I just thought up on the subject.

When I was young and full of grit
I spent my childhood, most of it
Riding like a girl posessed
All my friends were most impressed
Naughty ponies, mad TB's
Cobs with no brakes?
Oh yes please
You've a horse that bucks and rears?
Let me at him, dry your tears.
Galloping o'er hill and dale
Flying over hedge and rail.
My idea of a lively hack
Near gave my Ma a heart attack.
Now I'm the one who stands aghast
As tiny riders hurtle past
'Slow down' I cry 'don't ride like that'
'Where's your saddle? where's your hat?'
'Please pull up, don't jump that wall
It's 6 foot, and your only small'

I'm not ashamed now to admit
That age has robbed me of my grit
My bottle's gone, my nerve has failed
Where once oe'r courses large I sailed
I'm quite content to amble round
And barely ever leave the ground
(Though secretly, I expect you know
I'd love to give it one more go).
 
Epsom that's a brilliant poem!

I'm only 16 so can't comment much but I certainly hope my riding has improved - looking back at some old photos!
 
QR

I think my riding improved up until the last few years when i didnt have lessons and got lazy! Well actually I lost a lot of confidenc as my mare was having bucking fits. I am having lessons again now. I am really consious now about sitting up, looking up and riding her forward but she still manages to throw me off balance. I think I am far more aware of how my position can affect the horses way of going and I do try to stop being corrupted! I have just this week started to jump her again, only over little jumps, and it was a bit scary as she was very strong and bucked afterwards. And I was crap too!!!

Im not competitive anymore either but I do like my horses to be well schooled. TBH if the hacking was better round here I would probably be a happy hacker! And so would my mare!
 
My riding has got worse over the last few years.......probably because I don't get to ride that much now as I seem to spend most of my free riding time acting as an unpaid groom for my teenage daughter! I have a temperamental Arab and a bad back so have given up jumping and I'm definately not as brave as I used to be - but I do still enjoy riding and love our horses to bits!
 
I've changed enormously, I come from the days of hook, point and shoot jumping and schooling was more like army training, movements had to be exact but what the horse was doing no-one was particularly bothered about. Thanks to a brilliant instructor I now ride with feeling and am so aware of what the horse is doing underneath me. I still can't believe I can get so much out of my horse.
 
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