Pippity
Well-Known Member
Where would you put the line? (In terms of basic riding ability, not any specific discipline.)
Dividing line between beginner and novice
- Thread starter Pippity
- Start date
oldie48
Well-Known Member
This is quite subjective but I'll get it started! For me a beginner is someone who is still learning the basics of riding in balance on a sensible horse and working towards developing an independent seat. An experienced rider is someone who can ride a wide range of horses, youngsters, green horses, well schooled horses as well as those that are tricky. They'll have feel, can recognise what needs to be done to improve a horse's way of going and capable of putting this into practice. A novice is (for me) anyone inbetween and it probably covers the bulk of pleasure riders including me! But I'm sure lots of folks will absolutely disagree with me.
abbijay
Well-Known Member
This has been discussed at length in New Lounge before and it's fair to say everyone's opinion differs.
The big factor for me is are we talking in Riding Schools or in Private ownership? In a Riding school most riders who are off the lead rein and can manage rising trot are called novices but in the real world this would be considered an absolute beginner.
When I have been to riding schools and trekking centres I usually find myself in the experienced category (have competed at RC level in most things, understand schooling priniciples, independent seat & hands and able to control most RS horses in most situations at all paces, etc) but in the real world I still consider myself a total novice (a lot of what I have done has come from having a saint of a horse who has taught me tons and I certainly wouldn't buy a horse which said required an experienced rider).
The big factor for me is are we talking in Riding Schools or in Private ownership? In a Riding school most riders who are off the lead rein and can manage rising trot are called novices but in the real world this would be considered an absolute beginner.
When I have been to riding schools and trekking centres I usually find myself in the experienced category (have competed at RC level in most things, understand schooling priniciples, independent seat & hands and able to control most RS horses in most situations at all paces, etc) but in the real world I still consider myself a total novice (a lot of what I have done has come from having a saint of a horse who has taught me tons and I certainly wouldn't buy a horse which said required an experienced rider).