Becoming a good rider

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WelshRareBit

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Provided the person was willing to work hard and wasn't a complete hippo at riding, how long would it take to get a competant, confident novice - to be a good rider?
 
Thanks for that
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I am riding in competitions, jumping, cantering and hacking out alone. My instructor thinks I am a great little rider. It took me 8 months.
 
I think this depends of your definition of "good rider"...I assume you mean capable of schooling horses and influencing them correctly (i.e. without bullying them into doing things etc)? Compete at some higher levels (Medium dressage, 1.20 show jumping, Novice eventing)?
If so, I would say, with very hard work, every day riding of a couple/few horses a day, lunge lessons, structured training and a bit of talent - about two years. And then a lifetime of working on getting better and better
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I think this depends of your definition of "good rider"...I assume you mean capable of schooling horses and influencing them correctly (i.e. without bullying them into doing things etc)? Compete at some higher levels (Medium dressage, 1.20 show jumping, Novice eventing)?
If so, I would say, with very hard work, every day riding of a couple/few horses a day, lunge lessons, structured training and a bit of talent - about two years. And then a lifetime of working on getting better and better
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Perhaps a little less good than that, but that gives me a good idea. Thank You
 
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Not that long if you look at Faking it and Only Fools on Horses

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Funnily enough thats what made me want horses again (OFOH) I watched that and couldn't be without one for any longer.

I'd just like to feel good about my riding
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Sorry - couldn't resist - but it's a really hard question... it all depends upon how naturally balanced you are - how tuned in you can be and if you've got natural ability - some people can pick up the basics really quickly yet others struggle for years!!!
Kate x
 
basic riding is easy its experience that makes you a good rider plenty of lessons in all types from jumping schooling lunging dressage all help and just keep going dont let anything put you off!
 
It does really depend on the individual to be honest and how often they are able to ride. Obviously if they are riding every day they will pick things up quicker than someone who is only riding once a week. It would also depend on what you would judge as a good rider? I think a lot of things just come with time and plenty of practice.
 
For me I think it has been in finding the right instructor, plus I prefer competent with levels...being good suggests that most of us are awful with no hope of improving. I did have some classical lessons some years ago which has left me with some good exercises to keep my seat correct. Now I have an excellent instructors, one for flat and one for jumping. Both inspire confidence in me, correct what I am doing wrong without shouting or bullying, and neither makes me feel useless when I have gone completely wrong and got my legs in the wrong place. They are steadily helping me correct all the bad habits I developed when playing polo as a teenager...not really a dressage seat or jumping for that matter. BTW most dressage riders have some one on the ground directing them everytime they ride...even the greats! Most of all enjoy it...its suppposed to be fun and who reallly cares if you're not picture perfect when you cleared that jump...you'll get there with practice.
 
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Well I've been trying for about 30+ years and still haven't managed it

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That's what my OH says when ask the same question.

As a novice rider returning after a long break, I would say you will have about 6 months of intensive confusion, this may well give way to the euphoria of overconfidence (this is where I am), and I expect that I will shortly run into the big tree of reality, and realise that I am not nearly as good as I think I am.

Just take your time and don't try to work to any particular time scale, but instead aim to learn or remember and then improve certain aspects of your technique each ride or maybe each week. In six months time, you will be a different and probably more confident novice than you are now.
 
To be honest this is the work of a lifetime. Flatwork is like an onion skin - you keep peeling and there's more of the same underneath!

In any case think years of hard work rather than weeks or months.

That's why it's fun!
 
Ugh. I don't think I'll ever achieve it - my seat is sh*te because I'm not a particularly well balanced or coordinated person... it's not my forte.

A good rider, by my way of thinking, is a rider who can ride from leg to mouth lightly & sympathetically whilst maintaining complete control & a nice outline from the horse.

If you can't do that but you can cling on over 1.20 courses, you're still not a good rider.

What a depressing sport!
 
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basic riding is easy its experience that makes you a good rider plenty of lessons in all types from jumping schooling lunging dressage all help and just keep going dont let anything put you off!

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Thanks
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