How long did it take you?

[LadyDarcy]

Hi Guys!

Not posted for a while!

I've had a lovely five weeks riding at a different stables over the summer. We really enjoyed the attention and teaching style there.

Anyway, my question is, for those of you who entered equestrianism later on in life like myself, how long did it take for you to become a proficient rider? How many times a week did/do you ride?

I've been riding once a week roughly for 9 months now, and slowly getting to grips with my canter, and still working on improving my trot.

My long term aim is to become a horseback archer, so I will need a really confident canter before I move on to HBA. I already know how to shoot a bow and arrow so that's a bonus.

I'm considering trying to start riding lessons twice a week.

Hope everyone is well!

 

[oldie48]

Wow, horseback archer! Never heard of that but good luck. As someone who started very late in life (50) and is now rather closer to 70 than I'd like, I'd say proficiency is more about horse/rider combination and what you want to achieve than anything else once you have found your basic balance in all three gaits and can start, stop turn etc. I freely admit that I'm not a natural at riding and that each horse gives me different challenges and we all progress at different speeds. Am I proficient? It totally depends what you ask me to do on which horse!

 

[southerncomfort]

I've always fancied a go at Horseback Archery!

Have you considered taking up yoga or pilates to help strengthen your core muscles. I think you'll find that invaluable in improving your balance.

Is the Centre of Horseback Combat anywhere near you? Why not pop along there for a couple of lessons if you can and they'll be able to tell you what you need to work on.

Good luck!

 

[WandaMare]

Hi, what about doing some weekend riding breaks, even if just trekking rather than lessons? Especially if you are trying to improve your canter, you'll probably be doing it easily after a couple of full days in the saddle

 

[LadySam]

Mounted archery! I've been dyyyyying to try that for a while!

I echo the idea of Pilates or anything that will improve core strength and balance. Any riding you can do will help, though. Especially at speed - it all happens at a gallop rather than a sensible canter so you've got to be confident at that. I've always thought that a lot of handsfree/leg only work in a school would be beneficial for archery prep too. At first on a lunge, then without. If I ever get the chance to have a proper go at it, that's what I'll be doing.

Please keep us updated!

 

[LadyDarcy]

Wow, horseback archer! Never heard of that but good luck. As someone who started very late in life (50) and is now rather closer to 70 than I'd like, I'd say proficiency is more about horse/rider combination and what you want to achieve than anything else once you have found your basic balance in all three gaits and can start, stop turn etc. I freely admit that I'm not a natural at riding and that each horse gives me different challenges and we all progress at different speeds. Am I proficient? It totally depends what you ask me to do on which horse!

We are pretty much on a different horse every lesson, which has it's pros and cons I guess. One lesson I will feel like I'm finally nailing something, then the next I will have my confidence dashed lol!
I'd prefer to be on my favourite horse every lesson though. And I'm so pleased to hear you've also taken up riding later in life. I want my mum to come and have a go too.

 

[LadyDarcy]

I've always fancied a go at Horseback Archery!

Have you considered taking up yoga or pilates to help strengthen your core muscles. I think you'll find that invaluable in improving your balance.

Is the Centre of Horseback Combat anywhere near you? Why not pop along there for a couple of lessons if you can and they'll be able to tell you what you need to work on.

Good luck!

Yes I do pilates and have a pretty strong core already as I'm a kickboxer and gym instructor, but it always needs improving more!
I'd found the Horseback Combat place online and it's roughly an hour away, so it's certainly somewhere I'd like to go to give the sport a try.

Hi, what about doing some weekend riding breaks, even if just trekking rather than lessons? Especially if you are trying to improve your canter, you'll probably be doing it easily after a couple of full days in the saddle

This is also something I've been looking into but it's quite hard to arrange practically with a young family and weekend commitments, but certainly something I'm trying to organise.

Mounted archery! I've been dyyyyying to try that for a while!

I echo the idea of Pilates or anything that will improve core strength and balance. Any riding you can do will help, though. Especially at speed - it all happens at a gallop rather than a sensible canter so you've got to be confident at that. I've always thought that a lot of handsfree/leg only work in a school would be beneficial for archery prep too. At first on a lunge, then without. If I ever get the chance to have a proper go at it, that's what I'll be doing.

Please keep us updated!

Thanks for all the positive comments!

I think I will try to start riding twice a week and see if that makes a difference to my progress.