Gembo
Well-Known Member
can some people just be naturally talented or is it down to the horses you have, your equipment,lessons and help and so on ? or are some people naturally talented?
does talent exsist?
- Thread starter Gembo
- Start date
FionaM12
Well-Known Member
I would say that at anything in life, there's such a thing as natural talent. However, with a skill such as riding, they still need practice, good teaching etc. Talent alone just isn't enough IMO.
On the other hand, a person without much natural talent can excell at most things by sheer hard work.
On the other hand, a person without much natural talent can excell at most things by sheer hard work.
Squeak
Well-Known Member
I think there was a study done on tennis players and the top players didnt have actually have an aptitude for it they just practised far more. It claimed that to be good at anything whether it be an instrument or sport etc you have to practice for about 3 hours everyday.
Although I agree that hard work gets you places having worked at a local riding school there are some kids that just get it and off they go and others that keep practising but are never ever going to be good.
Although I agree that hard work gets you places having worked at a local riding school there are some kids that just get it and off they go and others that keep practising but are never ever going to be good.
Shantara
Well-Known Member
My friends often say "I wish I had your drawing talent!!" and I always think "No, you wish you had my drawing patience." I spend as much time as I can everyday drawing. If I'm not doodling I feel wrong.
Though, I do think maybe 5% is talent. Both parents and all 3 (mother's mother remarried...not that that has any blood relation, but still!!) sets of grandparents are all arty.
Though, I do think maybe 5% is talent. Both parents and all 3 (mother's mother remarried...not that that has any blood relation, but still!!) sets of grandparents are all arty.
Foxhunter49
Well-Known Member
There is such a thing as natural talent. Some people not only have a natural aptitude for riding but also have an affinity for the horse.
As with anything hard work, instruction and practise makes for exceptional.
As with anything hard work, instruction and practise makes for exceptional.
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
I think Phoebe Buckley is the perfect example of a natural talent. She started riding late and had a distinctly ordinary pony but Val still saw something there anyway.
I may not be her biggest fan but she is proof perfect that some people are just naturally gifted I think.
Of course, talent needs nurturing or it will go no where but I do believe it exists. When I was Phoebe Buckley's age I would have had much better horses and much better training and I am still rubbish!
I may not be her biggest fan but she is proof perfect that some people are just naturally gifted I think.
Of course, talent needs nurturing or it will go no where but I do believe it exists. When I was Phoebe Buckley's age I would have had much better horses and much better training and I am still rubbish!
Shay
Well-Known Member
There is absolutely such a thing as "natural talent". Or perhaps better expressed as an inborn physical and mental aptitude. Some people have better balence than others. Some people have a better eye for detail - as Annielusian does. Some have a better rapport with animals. etc, etc. But that alone is not enough. You also need to practice loads. Be determined, self motivated and focussed - the pre disposition of which is probably also inborn to a certain degree. With horses you also do need good mounts. And in many cases to make it to the top - money. You can inherit the latter - but you do have to find the former!
superted1989
Well-Known Member
I have often taught very young children who just have 'it', but it takes a lot of dedication, training and money. Also, just because somebody shows a natural talent and ability for something, doesn't mean they will enjoy it! My youngest son is, according to those in the know, a talented dancer but, now that he's old enough to choose not to do it at school, he'll probably only ever dance at parties as he doesn't enjoy it.
Many years ago, when I was yound, there was a girl who won absolutely everything in every discipline. Her parents appeared quite well off, so, it was assumed she had top of the range ponies. I got to know both her and her parents quite well some years later and discovered all of the ponies she had were bargain basement. Her mother had a very good eye and she had a talent to bring out the best in the ponies as well as working extremely hard. On the flip side, I remember another girl who had a different pony to jump every season. Loaded family, bought the best of everything that money could buy, HOYS ponies, trainers from the mainland etc but the girl just didn't have the natural flair.
Many years ago, when I was yound, there was a girl who won absolutely everything in every discipline. Her parents appeared quite well off, so, it was assumed she had top of the range ponies. I got to know both her and her parents quite well some years later and discovered all of the ponies she had were bargain basement. Her mother had a very good eye and she had a talent to bring out the best in the ponies as well as working extremely hard. On the flip side, I remember another girl who had a different pony to jump every season. Loaded family, bought the best of everything that money could buy, HOYS ponies, trainers from the mainland etc but the girl just didn't have the natural flair.
rockysmum
Well-Known Member
I think a lack of fear almost makes a huge difference. If you aren't worried about falling off, hurting yourself or the horse it makes a huge difference.
I once taught a friend to ride year ago. I knew he was totally fearless from the way he drove and rode motorbikes. He took this to horses too. If I told him to do something he would just do it, no arguments, brilliant, just a shame he wasn't really interested.
I never had that, put me in a jumping lesson and I would be saying "its too big" etc etc. I would have achieved everything faster if I did not stop and think about the consequences.
I once taught a friend to ride year ago. I knew he was totally fearless from the way he drove and rode motorbikes. He took this to horses too. If I told him to do something he would just do it, no arguments, brilliant, just a shame he wasn't really interested.
I never had that, put me in a jumping lesson and I would be saying "its too big" etc etc. I would have achieved everything faster if I did not stop and think about the consequences.
Luci07
Well-Known Member
Or do you think "talent" should really be "focus". What has consistently stood out for me when you meet or watch our top equine sportspeople is the absolute focus. Met WFP some years ago at a WFP eventing day. Here is a man at the very top of his game, but it was clear his goals made him as driven as ever. Ditto Mary King. So while I think some people may pick up the basics a little easier than others, it really comes down to the individual's drive. I have a friend who is utterly determind to ride at 4 *. To this end she has changed her entire lifestyle, has a five year plan and is working steadily towards it. No short cuts, no one funding her. I have no doubt she will do it, more talent? Or really, more determination?
QueenOfCadence
Well-Known Member
I do think talent *exists* because I've seen the difference between someone who has a natural "feel" for horse riding and someone who doesn't. People with a natural talent for horse riding grasp concepts much quicker, they know how to gauge aids (not too much leg, not too much hand and all applied at the RIGHT time) and they're better horsepeople (they usually get along better with the horse).
People who aren't naturally talented riders could possibly make it to the top aswell, but they'd need to work a lot harder for it.
A Great horseman once told me that the components of a great rider are; Talent, Money and Dedication - but he said you only needed two of these 3 aspects to become a top rider (so you either need; Talent and Money, Talent and Dedication, Dedication and Money or Talent and Dedication). I think that he was absolutely spot on with this.
People who aren't naturally talented riders could possibly make it to the top aswell, but they'd need to work a lot harder for it.
A Great horseman once told me that the components of a great rider are; Talent, Money and Dedication - but he said you only needed two of these 3 aspects to become a top rider (so you either need; Talent and Money, Talent and Dedication, Dedication and Money or Talent and Dedication). I think that he was absolutely spot on with this.
Shantara
Well-Known Member
2 people I can think of with natural talent are my brother and Jackie Chan (lol!)
Whilst Jackie worked extremely hard to master Kung Fu and other martial arts, he seems to have a natural talent for other things and can pick up almost anything and do it well.
My brother is the same (Except with out the cool Kung Fu). He picked up rising trot in just a lesson or two, he plays guitar, he wins at almost every game we play, he goes karting and wins almost every time, he's a great photographer and is learning the violin at the moment...he's already getting the hang of the basics!!
The rest of the family are rather jealous (including me!) and why he does nothing with this talent, we shall never know.
Whilst Jackie worked extremely hard to master Kung Fu and other martial arts, he seems to have a natural talent for other things and can pick up almost anything and do it well.
My brother is the same (Except with out the cool Kung Fu). He picked up rising trot in just a lesson or two, he plays guitar, he wins at almost every game we play, he goes karting and wins almost every time, he's a great photographer and is learning the violin at the moment...he's already getting the hang of the basics!!
The rest of the family are rather jealous (including me!) and why he does nothing with this talent, we shall never know.
hula
Well-Known Member
In whatever I've done I've always been told a stuck by: success is 1% talent and 99% perspiration.
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xspiralx
Guest
Yes I think talent definitely exists - some people have a physical or mental aptitude towards a particular sport - in the same way that some people can breeze through exams while others have to slog their guts out.
However I don't think you need talent to be a good rider if you're prepared to work at it, and you have enough money and the right horses to help you out.
I think QueenofCadence has got it absolutely spot on actually - with one caveat - that in the horse world, I don't think talent and dedication alone are enough - you need a bit of luck too.
However I don't think you need talent to be a good rider if you're prepared to work at it, and you have enough money and the right horses to help you out.
I think QueenofCadence has got it absolutely spot on actually - with one caveat - that in the horse world, I don't think talent and dedication alone are enough - you need a bit of luck too.
JustMe22
Well-Known Member
I definitely think some people have more talent than others. I see it when I teach kids and beginners, and how quickly some people take to it. And some people just seem to be able to get things more quickly.
Waffles
Well-Known Member
I'm a musician and people often say "Oh, you're so talented!". I worked damned hard to be able to do what I do from the age of 5!
Holly Hocks
Well-Known Member
I think having a natural aptitude for something exists - I think talent is the outcome of that aptitude. However when it comes to horses, then money plays a huge part - money buys top class horse and rider can afford lessons with the best trainer, then of course the rider is going to look more talented than someone who buys a very ordinary horse and can't afford lessons or can only afford lessons now and again. Yes, occasionally a rider can do well on an average horse, but it's very rare that they ever make the top levels. Doesn't mean they don't have the aptitude/talent, just means that they don't have the money to get what they need to get them to the top and therefore don't get the recognition they deserve.