Dressage riders - born or made?

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mushroom

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Obviously some people have more natural talent than others, but I would be interested to hear whether you think it's possible for the average person to make their way up the ranks.

Any thoughts? :)
 
what do you class as an average person though. I think like anything training is key, some start as children and know nothing else, obviously others have more natural ability than others but I do think its possible for someone to do well if they put the hours in :)
 
I'm not asking for myself btw, I now know my limitations! :o:p It's just something I've been wondering about when I see all the dedicated liveries at my yard busting a gut in the school.
 
At the lower and medium levels I think anyone with the right training can do really, really well and go far.

At the very top though (like with any sport) I think you need more than just good training. The balance, suppleness and co-ordination you need to compete at the very top is easier if you have a natural talent, and that goes for both horse and rider.
 
Talent helps, and some people are born with the right conformation and natural timing which makes things a lot easier. However, natural talent will only get you so far! Where most people stumble is in the step up from say elementary/medium to Advanced plus, which is where the level of engagement and responsiveness required by the horse increases so hugely. Without good, and fairly intensive, training, even the most natural rider will struggle. And a lot of people battle on and on and get nowhere because they are constantly doing the wrong thing the wrong way, due to poor or insufficient training.
 
I'm a great believer in whatever you want to do, if you put your mind, dedication patience and bloody hard work into it, you can do it!!
My uni place shows that! :p
 
Well I genuinely believe that you can get anywhere if you set your mind to it, though someone like me who has absolutely no natural talent for anything (bar hitting the deck!) will have to work twice as hard and just at the simple things. Dressage is tough and witohut the basics you will not go far, so I think alot of work ''away from competing prep'' is needed and just in seemingly simple things like your core strength, as if there are issues with this, just the tiniest one, as soon as you get to a certain level you will hit a brick wall and these little issues will be the things that stop progess...

Having said that do you mean ability as in some riders are just better than others etc or actual ability to get to the top! As whilst yes the odd one or two may manage it, for the average person.. no way. Everyone you see competing now has been doing so since they were teeny... And money, connections and everything else is as big as the riding if not bigger!

x
 
I think pretty much anyone can get to the top with top class training, the right frame of mind, endless dedication, the right horse, and plenty of luck! That said, the journey will be easier and shorter for those with natural talent - fab balance/suppleness/built 'just right'/good sense of timing, and just the right 'feel' for things! Much can be taught, but I think many people will always struggle to get to the top as people have families, other responsibilities and horses that go lame!! I think you really need to dedicate your life to it - I guess not many people want or are able to do that - wether it comes easier to them or not.
 
If me, a slightly overweight short person with a horse bred for show jumping can make it to GP then anyone can.. do I think anyone can be on the olympic team... NO you need pots of cash for that too... (She says cynically).

Blitz
 
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