competent novice

have seen a few ads saying suitable for confident novice so just wondering what this reflects about the horse and how capable the advertiser intends the rider to be
 
It probably means it's fairly quiet, but you will need to actually be able to ride in walk, trot and canter and maybe handle a few spooks. You can probably interpret it as "not completely bonkers"
 
I've always thought a competant novice as one who is happy to have a walk/trot/maybe canter/basic steering etc but not nervous in anyway [ie, doesn't panic or freeze].
 
My ex described himself as a novice rider when I met him. He had owned his horse for about 6 years, and had had others in that time. He hacked out and went on fun rides, but didn't compete. He also excercised an arab racehorse.
 
Competent: Had adequate basic training and shows confidence to be able to handle/ride a horse?

Novice: Perhaps not knowlegeable enough to react quickly to a sudden difficult situation, ie horse is startled/spooks/bolts etc?
 
If I advertised a horse as suitable for a competent novice, I would mean that horse would be generally sensible, that it wouldn't be ultra sharp, spooky, or liable to bronc or rear - but that wouldn't be a total plod and might have a tendency to get a bit strong or take the mickey and therefore wouldn't be suited to a complete beginner.

I'd describe a competent novice as someone who is comfortable and balanced in all the paces and able to pop a small fence, isn't unseated or overly bothered by a minor spook or little buck, but isn't yet particularly refined in their way of riding.
 
I describe myself as this all the time. I have ridden for 20+years in riding schools and have had my own for a couple of years. As a combination we can do low level everything but I could do a bit more on a better schooled horse and he could possibly go further with a decent rider on him. I also use this so people don't assume I can handle 'any' horse and expect me to get amazing things from it.
 
My husband had lessons for two years and has had his own horse for 3 years. He has mainly hacked and hunted since he got his own horse. I would class him as a competent novice. He ride a well schooled horse well but not so good on green horses and takes a while to get a feel for different horses. I think this also comes from learning to ride as an adult.
 
I would expect a compentant novice to be someone who could walk trot and canter on a trained horse hack out a sensible horse jump small fences happily but who could not undertake training a horse.
 
thanks for replies, i can walk/trot/canter/jump and hack out on sensible horse, however my previous horse bolted so i can be a bit nervous/tense up at times until i know horse is trustworthy and untill i check myself and relax. once i know the horse i am fine to do all above

horse i am looking at is described as suitable for confident novice so dont know if this was me, as i am not overly confident atm e.g if a horse plays up, but it is advertised novice to so am presuming it is a quiet ride?
 
Waffles said:
Referring to the horse or rider?
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My TB would fail... :D

caroline23 said:
have seen a few ads saying suitable for confident novice so just wondering what this reflects about the horse and how capable the advertiser intends the rider to be
Click to expand...

A competent novice to me is someone who can ride nicely at walk, trot and canter... Seat, aides, hands all as they should be... I'd describe my son in that way but also as cautious... He has a comfort zone in the horses he rides regularly and wouldn't expect to apply his skill set instantly to an unknown horse... Well, not since he learnt the hard way that he's no where near good enough to ride any horse, instantly, as well as he can ours... :D Some who describe themselves as a confident novice seem to believe "I can stay on - anything" rather than riding particularly well...

The horse you're considering would be one I'd skip as I know my confidence levels are pretty low and I'd expect a horse to pick up on that...

Take someone with a bit of trustworthy knowledge and make sure the owner (or willing volunteer) rides first so you can gauge how the horse responds and if you're comfortable hopping aboard... :)
 
i emailed to askif he would be suitable as i am tense when i first get on then relax into it on new horses once ive tested their breaks!

reply:
he is very easy to ride but would suit a competent novice has he will go forwards when jumping, he has a soft mouth, he is not a spooky horse and has a super temperament. just needs bringing on a little with the schooling and will make a brilliant all-rounder, the rider is 16yrs old, she has hacked him out on her own and rode him lots with no trouble and she is a competent novice aswell.

so i think he may be worth a look? as i dont mind forward so long as they are safe and listen
 
thanks :) i was unsure at first but since ive told them about me being a bit nervous until i find my feet when riding a new horse and they havnt said unsuitable i feel better, going to view him on wednesday :)
 
Exciting... :)

Just take someone along and don't rush yourself... If at all unsure then go back and try him again and judge how you feel then too...

Good luck and don't forget to update... :)
 
they have an arena, xc field and hacking so going to have a thorough trial, i have a big list of everything it needs to be, as well as little tests to check its temprement, handlabilty etc
 
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