Do you think there's ever a point that you just stop progressing?

[VioletStripe]

As title! Do you think there's ever a point where your riding just can't actually get any better? Am just interested to see! I'm a relatively experienced rider (wouldn't say I was good though ) and obviously I'll never stop learning and there's still room for improvement, I just wanted to see people's views in general on this. Not thinking of me or anyone in particular, just wanted to start a bit of a 'discussion' on here.. Haven't had one in a while! So, as I've said; do you think there is ever a point where you can't get better, regardless of the horse and facilities you have? Just a Sunday night thought! xx

 

[Peanot]

IMO I don`t think we can ever stop learning. Even the top top riders have lessons when in their peak. We can get to the stage where we outgrow our instructors so need to move on but we never stop learning. I have been riding for over 25 yrs, (cough) and I know there is so much more I could learn and I will keep having lessons and learning but I`ll never know it all. Wish I could tho....

 

[mystiandsunny]

I think your nerves can make you stagnate, if you've learned all you're brave enough to do, and there is a final point for us all, but most of us just slow down near that point so still keep learning .

 

[Mari]

No, I think there are always times when we plateau & seem to have stopped progressing but that's usually when our brain / body is consolidating where we're at, maybe we're not ready for the next step. Once brain & body have got themselves sorted out & are working as one we're ready to progress on again.

 

[fitzaud2]

No, I think there are always times when we plateau & seem to have stopped progressing but that's usually when our brain / body is consolidating where we're at, maybe we're not ready for the next step. Once brain & body have got themselves sorted out & are working as one we're ready to progress on again.

I totally agree, I've gone from confident to chicken to very confident back to chicken, I think it all depends where your head is, what else is going on in your life and what horse you are riding. It takes a very good, confident rider to just sit up on any horse and compete, I went from chicken after alot of falls to fairly confident as I had a fab horse that was the best, but he died and i lost it slightly, but I'm now riding my 3 year old, just broken, by me and am getting back there again.
i think we skip forward and backwards, depending on what we are doing.

 

[JenHunt]

No, i think you might slow down in one area but you'll be learning more somewhere else... I think Mari has it right.

 

[Kat]

No you always carry on learning.

There are times when your progress may be very slow and seem to stop especially if your circumstances (horse/instructor/time/fitness/facilities) aren't ideal but you are still learning and progressing in some way. Not necessarily in your actual riding skills, maybe in your understanding, or confidence....

 

[alesea]

I think as others have said, you can plateau, but you'll never stop learning. I hit a point like that and felt fairly miserable. It lasted a fair while, but I kept looking at different things and eventually on a work experience placement I started learning again in a way that finally made sense. It's taken my understanding to a whole new level, although due to Uni I haven't really been able to put it into practice- I'm very much looking forward to being able to though!