Goals for second year of riding?

[JBR]

Hello friends!

Last September marked an exciting milestone for me as it concluded my first year of riding. The grand goal I set for myself was to complete the Cotswold Farm Park fun ride. Oh boy, what an adventure it turned out to be! I took on most of the jumps, while three out of our group of five riders had unexpected meetings with gravity. Miraculously, I managed to stay firmly in the saddle. Looking back, it was a bit mad to attempt it on hunter hirelings, but hey, I made it through!

At present, I am a regular at a riding school, doing two one-hour lessons each week. As the lessons progress and delve into more technical aspects, they present both thrilling challenges and exciting opportunities for growth. However, I currently find myself at a crossroads, pondering what goals to set for my second year of riding. As an INTJ personality, I thrive on having specific objectives to work towards, as they provide a clear sense of direction and purpose.

How did things unfold for you after two years in the saddle? Did you set specific milestones for yourself or reach noteworthy achievements?

Curious to know your thoughts, stories or any advice you have to offer. Thanks!

 

[teapot]

What are you doing in your lessons currently? As that'll sway what people will suggest I'm sure

 

[SilverLinings]

Rather than just looking at what random/general skills you might work on, is there a discipline or particular goal you are interested in that could help you frame your plans for the next year? For example if you want to showjump, or go on more fun rides, then what riding skills will you need to develop to take part in these activities successfully*?

It sounds like you have had fun so far, and I hope the next year is enjoyable and you feel that your riding ability continues to develop.

*Success could mean winning, or it could mean completing safely whilst enjoying yourself

 

[Barton Bounty]

After two years , i was 13, i can’t remember

 

[SilverLinings]

After two years , i was 13, i can’t remember

I was 11 and the only goal I can remember was desperately wanting a horse/pony of my own!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I was 11 and the only goal I can remember was desperately wanting a horse/pony of my own!

Well i got a loan pony at 13 to make sure I was sticking at it but by that point the YO already stuck me on everything from the meat truck she bought lol

 

[Jenko109]

I was still at the worlds worst riding school at that stage, following nose to tail in circles and learning precisely nothing.

Why dont you aim for a riding holiday somewhere?

 

[Skib]

During my second year of riding I had a 1 on 1 school lesson each week and also hacked once a week with an escort. The hack was when I practised what I had done in my school lessons. Out hacking I often rode first which gave me the experience later to hack my share horses solo.

Hacking was the big change in my second year. Hacking was what made me easy in canter. Not only getting exact transitions up and down, but asking for a particular lead when riding on the straight.

After 18 months I moved schools and had many hours of lunge lessons to improve my balance and eventually ride bare back. I learned to ride through feel and communication rather than through visible cues.

I thought of my learning to ride like studying GCEs. 2 years to O level and then specialise for 2 years A level. I did not jump but my great interest was dressage. I bought a set of dressage tests and in my lesson each week, I would practise the component parts.

I did have a vague aim of riding a flying change which I eventually did. But not in my second year.

I rode lots of different horses to widen my experience. But I aso went for treats in my second year. I hacked near Balmoral, rode in Hyde Park and on Epsom downs. I rode on the beach.

Apart from the riding, in my second and folowing years I went to watch clinics and demos by known trainers and riders. And watched some training DVDs. I was always interested in child psychology and later animal psychology, (David Attenborough on TV) so I took an interest in so called Natural Horsemanship, doing ground work and learning from watching trainers such as Michael Peace and Mark Rashid.

Describing my equestrian education, reveals I think that I learned what interested me. I had teachers whose methods suited my personal character when riding. I have never taken a test. Never competed nor won a rosette. You are asking for goals but those are goals you need to choose for yourself. And a RS rider needs to be flexible. Riding schools and teachers change, the lesson horses available change. Think out what each horse and each teacher can best teach you and enjoy.

 

[Polar Bear9]

It's hard to know without knowing your ability and end goals but maybe if you're already comfortable jumping on fun rides, you could consider looking for a loan horse as a first step towards ownership?

 

[smolmaus]

Doing a farm ride on a hired horse after riding a year? I don't think I have anything to tell you

Year two of riding I might have been off the shetlands Freddie and Judy but maybe not! Year two of having my first horse the goal was get us both comfy and happy out hacking by ourselves which is BIG for both of us. Its a completely different set of skills that you often don't learn in a riding school so you could think about ways to do that. Maybe some guided treks or as Polar bear suggests maybe a part loan at the RS to progress hacking and your stable management!

 

[JBR]

Thank you all for the valuable insights and suggestions shared so far!

What are you doing in your lessons currently? As that'll sway what people will suggest I'm sure

It's been a mix of activities in my lessons lately, including practicing small jump courses (up to seven obstacles, maybe up to 50cm) and being introduced to gridwork. One particular recent exercise that earned the nickname "wheel of doom" - the cloverleaf jump exercise - has definitely added a thrilling element. In addition, we've dedicated time to flat work and even done BD Prelim 4 and 10 in mock test conditions. It's been a fun and rewarding journey so far, and I'm grateful to say that I've managed to avoid any unscheduled rapid dismounts along the way!

Rather than just looking at what random/general skills you might work on, is there a discipline or particular goal you are interested in that could help you frame your plans for the next year? For example if you want to showjump, or go on more fun rides, then what riding skills will you need to develop to take part in these activities successfully*?

It sounds like you have had fun so far, and I hope the next year is enjoyable and you feel that your riding ability continues to develop.

*Success could mean winning, or it could mean completing safely whilst enjoying yourself

I appreciate the suggestion to consider a specific discipline. With the inspiring instructors at the riding school, who happen to be accomplished eventers, my interest in the competitive side of riding has grown. I've yet to try XC, although I'm not sure if it's realistic for my second year. But who knows? Perhaps with the right guidance and training, it could be a possibility to explore in the future.

I was still at the worlds worst riding school at that stage, following nose to tail in circles and learning precisely nothing.

Why dont you aim for a riding holiday somewhere?

I'm sorry to hear about that. Fortunately, I feel grateful to have found myself in a good place with supportive instructors. The idea of a riding holiday sounds fantastic! If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear them.

Doing a farm ride on a hired horse after riding a year? I don't think I have anything to tell you

Year two of riding I might have been off the shetlands Freddie and Judy but maybe not! Year two of having my first horse the goal was get us both comfy and happy out hacking by ourselves which is BIG for both of us. Its a completely different set of skills that you often don't learn in a riding school so you could think about ways to do that. Maybe some guided treks or as Polar bear suggests maybe a part loan at the RS to progress hacking and your stable management!

The idea of part loaning at the riding school is intriguing. How does it usually work, especially having to work around lessons? Although the riding school doesn't advertise it, I might consider discussing it with the owner since I have a good relationship with them.

 

[Caol Ila]

I don't know what INTJ means, but my experience of riding/horsemanship has never included things like being able to say, "I have had this horse for two years, and we want to achieve this." I think other people might do this, or try to, but I find myself hoping for small increments of improvement while problem-solving/fire-fighting.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I was still at the worlds worst riding school at that stage, following nose to tail in circles and learning precisely nothing.

Why dont you aim for a riding holiday somewhere?

Same for me! Looking back I find it unbelievable that anywhere teaches like that. I went there for years. We lived in a city with little choice, the only other one was expensive.
After two years I was still just hoping to god not to be one of the fallers of the lesson

 

[paddi22]

what about having an instructor video you for an online dressage competition? .
something like https://www.dressageonline.org/

that would give you focus, and also the judges marks will give you feedback on your riding. i have the same brain as you, so I know what you mean about having a structure to follow

 

[Red-1]

If you had the confidence to do that, on a horse horse, I would maybe look at a riding holiday. You could go trekking in Iceland on an Icelandic, or on a formal type lesson holiday in Portugal on a fabulous horse, with swimming pool in the down time. Or, go western riding and rounding up cattle in the USA. They also do XC type holidays in Ireland on horses that know their way round it. Closer to home, you could canter a Clydesdale along a beach in the north of England.

Of course, that is all £££ dependent but, if you have done all that in a year, I suspect you are already paying for more than 1 group lesson on a Saturday, so £ may not be the limiting a factor.

 

[Abacus]

For children (older than toddlers - say 10 years old, so physically quite able) - I would say they should mostly aim for hours in the saddle, to gain balance, the right strength, and become more instinctive about what a horse is about to do. I think it is probably the same for an adult.

With this in mind maybe look for a share (or riding school loan) so that you can ride a bit more than in regular lessons, if you have time. And this enables you to learn more about care, handling and building a bond with a horse, with some support from the owner.

 

[Ossy2]

At a riding school near us they do what they call “free Schooling” Sessions. They are not free in the financial sense but you basically book the horse for an hour and get to do your schooling without an instructor there, the idea being the more experienced can work on, it was a good stepping stone to loaning or ownership experience riding on your own.

Otherwise rather some big thing you want to say you’ve done how about looking at specific things you want to learn more about or improve on? You could look at biomechanics, maybe simulator biomechanics lessons or horse biomechanics seminars?

Otherwise the riding holiday is a good suggestion, if you put riding holiday in the search function there should be a number of threads with suggestions in it, Cumbrian heavy horses springs to mind if their still going.

 

[Skib]

The idea of part loaning at the riding school is intriguing. How does it usually work, especially having to work around lessons?

UK riding schools are licenced by the local authority and in general that means there must always be a staff memeber present when a client rides or works with a horse. I have not heard of the free schooling desribed above, but that would be wonderful.

Having a loan at an RS usually means having a regular lesson or hack at the same time and on the same day each week. The advantage may be that one rides on the same horse and possibly gets a price reduction in return for the block booking. I never did this as I wanted flexibility, I didnt want to ride after a late night out at the theatre. I almost always rode my favourite RS mare without having a contract.

In the UK, the word share is used when a sharer has an agreed time each week to ride someone else's horse as if it were their own. A yard that has sharers for horses may need a different licence to do this. They also exist as hire yards, particularly to provide extra horses for hunts.

In England the term loan in an equestrian context usually describes a situation where a non owner takes over complete responsibility for someone else's horse for an agreed period of time. A private loan entitles the loaner to ride solo and for this they will need their own rider insurance.

If the RS has offered you a loan, you will need to ask them what they understand the arrangement will be.

 

[YourValentine]

What about some more general horsemanship?

Hard to set goals but talk to and watch a farrier, ask about good and bad hoof shape, shoe choice etc.
Basic care, diet, different equipment and when and why it might be used, and possibly most importantly when it Shouldn't be used etc...

If you hope to loan or own in the future these are important skills and knowledge

 

[JBR]

I don't know what INTJ means, but my experience of riding/horsemanship has never included things like being able to say, "I have had this horse for two years, and we want to achieve this." I think other people might do this, or try to, but I find myself hoping for small increments of improvement while problem-solving/fire-fighting.

INTJ is one of the 16 personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) system. I came across it during management training, and I must admit, I was initially skeptical about putting people into specific categories like that. I found it eerily accurate in describing personality traits and tendencies. It's definitely worth exploring if you're interested in understanding yourself and others on a deeper level.

Same for me! Looking back I find it unbelievable that anywhere teaches like that. I went there for years. We lived in a city with little choice, the only other one was expensive.

I did come across a similar riding school during my search. Strangely enough, it happened to be one of the more expensive places near me but also really popular. The lessons were always busy, but they lacked coaching value. I would describe it as more "fun focused" rather than skill-oriented. While they are not great, I guess they serve a role by making the sport more accessible to a wider range of people. Did you move to a different riding school in the end?

What about some more general horsemanship?

Hard to set goals but talk to and watch a farrier, ask about good and bad hoof shape, shoe choice etc.
Basic care, diet, different equipment and when and why it might be used, and possibly most importantly when it Shouldn't be used etc...

If you hope to loan or own in the future these are important skills and knowledge

That's a great suggestion! Alongside side my riding journey, I have actually completed the BHS Silver Challenge awards, which covered various aspects of horse care etc. However, I must admit that I haven't had many opportunities to put that knowledge into practice yet. If someone were to ask me to take care of a loan horse, I wouldn't feel fully confident just yet. What steps or experiences have helped you become competent and self-assured enough to handle tasks independently?

 

[christine456]

INTJ is one of the 16 personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) system. I came across it during management training, and I must admit, I was initially skeptical about putting people into specific categories like that. I found it eerily accurate in describing personality traits and tendencies. It's definitely worth exploring if you're interested in understanding yourself and others on a deeper level.


I did come across a similar riding school during my search. Strangely enough, it happened to be one of the more expensive places near me but also really popular. The lessons were always busy, but they lacked coaching value. I would describe it as more "fun focused" rather than skill-oriented. While they are not great, I guess they serve a role by making the sport more accessible to a wider range of people. Did you move to a different riding school in the end?


That's a great suggestion! Alongside side my riding journey, I have actually completed the BHS Silver Challenge awards, which covered various aspects of horse care etc. However, I must admit that I haven't had many opportunities to put that knowledge into practice yet. If someone were to ask me to take care of a loan horse, I wouldn't feel fully confident just yet. What steps or experiences have helped you become competent and self-assured enough to handle tasks independently?

Part loaning/ share could be a good option to look into IF that's what you want, my riding has come on significantly since doing so and theres nothing like bonding with a horse if you can find the right loan.. I jumped in at a similar point to yourself. Here your focus may shift from your skills, to also your horses and how you may help improve their way of going etc and progress together as a team. The right owner would show you the ropes as long as you're honest about where you're at and can commit to days per week (including long dark cold nights). Though riding and horse care are two different hobbies as many on our yard attest to .. and don't forget with horses there is no destination, only the journey so enjoy it.