Beginner? Novice? What am I?

F

Flyingwithoutwings

New User
Joined
29 December 2013
Messages
7
Visit site
Hiya, I've been trying to work out what I am. I can walk trot canter to a good level, on different horses. I jump 3ft. Singles, spreads and grids. And I'm starting to loan a very flighty and spooky 14.2 horse. Tho I have ridden up to 16.2. Around the yard I'm pretty competent. I can do all the general stuff. Although I'm not very good at wounds etc. like I can tack up, muck out, bed down, rug up, bring in, take out etc. I also give little children lessons sometimes :)
 
I've been riding since I was 7 years old - and have owned my own pony/horse, off and on, since I was 10 years old .......... am now "fifty-something"!!!! - but in fact I would hesitate to call myself an experienced rider TBH. There's still far too much left to learn IMO :)

I know blimmin well that if I were to describe myself as an "experienced rider" and then someone put me up on anything with a bit of fizz in it I'd probably end up in the next county and/or taking an unscheduled dismount and going @rse-over-tip in spectacular fashion!!! To everyone's great delight no doubt.

I think it depends a lot on the sort of horses one rides; I've always had the placid, ploddy types, until recently when I had a mare on loan and she was totally unlike anything I'd ever ridden before!!! She, bless her, had to teach me how she wanted me to ride her - and I know that because of that I'll never ever be the same rider again.......

So the whole thing is subjective TBH.

But an interesting debate opening up methinks......:)
 
Last edited:
You might count as a novice or a competent intermediate but it varies so hugely. A novice rider, for me, can be safe on a safe horse in basic activities, but won't be able to improve the horse's way of going. Once you learn how t walk, trot, canter and jump it's almost impossible to assess someone's competency simply on the basis of what they say - there's a huge difference between clinging on over a three foot fence on a point and shoot schoolmaster, and introducing a green youngster to fences and turning it into a safe, reliable jumper. Your level is also subjective depending on where you are - I'd be in advanced lessons in most riding schools but in the grand scheme of things I'm an under confident intermediate rider at best!
 
I've been riding for 25yrs, worked at a riding stables as an instructor for a good few years, own two horses and I would still describe myself as a novice. I don't have the breadth of experience or confidence to call myself anything else.

If I'm ever booking in for a lesson anywhere I tell them I can walk, trot, canter and jump little jumps, that way I get the steady ones, even though really I can deal with a small amount of fizz :)
 
It is hugely variable. Someone who might be classed as experienced in a riding school environment is often only a novice if you assess them in the grand scheme of things. Purely going on what the OP has said I would say novice. The words 'I can walk, trot, canter' along with things like 'I've ridden up to 16.2hh' usually come out of the mouths of novices. However, I don't think it is possible to give an accurate assessment purely on this basis, for me to assess someone properly I would want to see them demonstrate their abilities.
 
Compared to what? Someone could be a complete novice when compared to, lets say, William Fox-Pitt, but compared to your average riding school pupil, they would be considered experienced. Its a 'how long's a piece of string' question really.
 
I'm facing this problem atm. OH and I are going on holiday in Wales and theres a little riding centre near to where we are staying so I thought i'd book a trail ride. I've ridden since I was 11 (23 now) and loaned over the last few years, there's no way im telling them I'm experienced especially on a horse I don't know in a place I don't know. But I don't want to be put into a group that I find too slow for me, and not enjoy myself. It's a tricky one!
 
TelH said:
It is hugely variable. Someone who might be classed as experienced in a riding school environment is often only a novice if you assess them in the grand scheme of things. Purely going on what the OP has said I would say novice. The words 'I can walk, trot, canter' along with things like 'I've ridden up to 16.2hh' usually come out of the mouths of novices. However, I don't think it is possible to give an accurate assessment purely on this basis, for me to assess someone properly I would want to see them demonstrate their abilities.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree, it's how you answer the question that shows where you are in the grand scheme of things. I would say to the OP that you are a novice.

I have been riding for almost 40 years, and have owned several horses. In terms of riding, I have competed up to Novice DR and 2'9" XC/SJ and ride at that level (and probably always will) so consider myself a novice. In terms of looking after a horse, I would say I am experienced and more competent than most.

To be honest, if you have to ask the question, you are almost certainly no more experienced than Novice-level.
 
It depends, hugely I think & I think there is so much pressure on being seen or labelled as something.

I'm competent - I've personally owned two horses, but shared/loaned a few more prior to horse ownership. I've worked on a few different yards & at a vets so am used to dealing with wounds, different ailments etc.

I don't jump anymore, currently - so if you assess that, then I'm a novice. I've ridden & schooled 'school masters' up to elementary dressage - but I wouldn't say I ride at elementary dressage. I'm currently bringing on my own young, green (sharp!) native pony - so my riding is currently a world away from the elementary school master lessons I used to have on my old loan horse.

I now do Parelli & working at Level 2 - so again, I'm a novice compared to lots of my friends who do Parelli. I'm sure even doing Parelli makes me a complete numpty to some people! :D

I'm having loads of fun though, with my riding & groundwork currently - so I couldn't care less, if a by stander thinks I'm a novice or experienced rider. Don't worry too much about it :) x
 
Last edited:
AmyHack said:
I'm facing this problem atm. OH and I are going on holiday in Wales and theres a little riding centre near to where we are staying so I thought i'd book a trail ride. I've ridden since I was 11 (23 now) and loaned over the last few years, there's no way im telling them I'm experienced especially on a horse I don't know in a place I don't know. But I don't want to be put into a group that I find too slow for me, and not enjoy myself. It's a tricky one!
Click to expand...

See, in this situation for myself personally I would always big myself up. A riding centre won't have anything dangerous, just be honest but don't downplay it.
 
what a good question. It can be so difficult to judge how to describe yourself in different situations. I am looking for a horse at the moment and I always look for those that are described as suitable for novices. However, if I try a horse i won't normally describe myself as a novice more because the person watching you will form their own opinion and if you describe yourself as a novice i think it can make you ride less well... well that's my view anyway. And when I went on a riding holiday I had to man myself up as it said 'suitable for experienced riders only' - but have now done it 3 times and managed fine. I normally describe myself as 'over 50 and not very flexible and need to build my confidence' if referring to my riding ability. I am not really a novice, but just not a very good rider either!!
 
I've just returned to riding after a long break so i guess that qualifies me for the label of absolute beginner as I have started back at the basics, riding in my opinion is far to varied a sport/hobby whatever you wish to call it, riding I find to be very onion like, when you think you are doing well a new layer is revealed, be it disipline wise or horse wise. If that makes sense.
 
AmyHack said:
I'm facing this problem atm. OH and I are going on holiday in Wales and theres a little riding centre near to where we are staying so I thought i'd book a trail ride. I've ridden since I was 11 (23 now) and loaned over the last few years, there's no way im telling them I'm experienced especially on a horse I don't know in a place I don't know. But I don't want to be put into a group that I find too slow for me, and not enjoy myself. It's a tricky one!
Click to expand...

Having worked at a riding school/tecking centre for a while, I would say just be honest and tell them what you want in terms of horse and riding. For example if you want to go for a good gallop but on a safe, non-spooky horse, then tell them that. Obviously I mean this within reason- if you haven't hacked out in a while or don't hack fast, it would be a good idea to mention this. In general, though, I very much doubt they would give a horse that is difficult or not very safe to someone they don't know, so don't pannic too much about that!
 
I think it is based on perception, as other have said.

I sold a particularly high spirited and quirky horse a couple of years ago and stated on the add "not a novice ride" as he can be sharp and takes some riding. I had so many people come try him who are capable of walk, trot, canter and jumping but I still felt were far too novice to be able to sit to him when he got lot up, some I would say were actually very poor riders when faced with a horse that isn't an easy ride.
 
I would call you a novice for example i'm:

I own two horses a 26yro schoolmaster and a rather flighty welsh D 7yro, I am currently jumping 3ft 3 with confidence and happy to go for a gallop. I ride bareback and sidesaddle with ease also. I don't compete in dressage usually but have done a few basic tests, I have ridden up to 17.2hh horses and have ridden a Prix st George pony doing x1 changes, piaffe, extended trot, extended canter, collected trot etc (just basically having a little play with her) I am currently aiming to event BE and am happy in the s/j arena no matter what faces me although i would say i have more confidence on the xc course!!

^^^ Now i don't know what that would class as but i think you need to give a more detailed description
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top