How to improve your riding in middle age?

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RhaLoulou

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I've recently bought a lovely genuine horse with way more talent than me and after years of happy hacking I am now trying to up my game so I can realise his potential and compete successfully initially in dressage and showing.
I am having regular lessons with a dressage trainer and with a trainer to really focus on my riding techniques. Does anyone have any other advice on what I can do to really make a difference ? I don't want to let the lad down! Thanks!
 
My approach is lessons, lessons, lessons and lots of practice. I *think* I'm getting better!
Your horse has no concept of talent - he'll just want consistent and fair riding and handling. Enjoy building a relationship with him and your journey together.
 
McFluff said:
My approach is lessons, lessons, lessons and lots of practice. I *think* I'm getting better!
Your horse has no concept of talent - he'll just want consistent and fair riding and handling. Enjoy building a relationship with him and your journey together.
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I am well past middle age, but i totally agree with McF, keep the lessons on a regular basis so you don't get into bad habits, and the more hours you ride the better, and easier it will get.
 
Get to the gym and really work on your fitness, my riding has improved immensely with my fitness improving. And yes, lessons and more lessons but also make sure you do your homework in between.
 
McFluff said:
My approach is lessons, lessons, lessons and lots of practice. I *think* I'm getting better!
Your horse has no concept of talent - he'll just want consistent and fair riding and handling. Enjoy building a relationship with him and your journey together.
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I'm sure you are right, he is not dreaming of glory just wants to be treated fairly!
 
Whilst lessons are very important, so is really 'thinking' about what you are doing is essential... becoming what in school terms would be called an 'independent' learner. Its very easy when having lessons to rely heavily on the instructor and not 'think' about what you and the horse are actually doing... if that makes sense??
 
VRIN said:
Whilst lessons are very important, so is really 'thinking' about what you are doing is essential... becoming what in school terms would be called an 'independent' learner. Its very easy when having lessons to rely heavily on the instructor and not 'think' about what you and the horse are actually doing... if that makes sense??
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This is really good advice, you need to understand what and why you are trying to achieve something during the lessons so you have a clear idea of how to develop further at home.
I would also add that understanding the rules, marking and judging of the competitions you are doing will also help progress, if you get the chance to write at a dressage comp you could learn more about what you should be aiming for than can be taught in a lesson, if you want to show go to a county show and watch how the top horses are presented, you may not be able to perform to that level but it gives an idea of what the judges want to see.

Ask questions, never be afraid of feeling stupid, if you are unsure ask, a good instructor will be happy to explain and discuss anything you are unclear about.
 
As well as frequent lessons on the horse, concentrate on rider fitness and agility. I have just started attending Equipilates sessions, and have had very beneficial riding simulator sessions. Get a good physio/chiro/osteo too, my osteo made a huge improvement in my natural crookedness, which pays big dividends when riding.

Once up and going, we oldies can ride as well as ever, but it takes a lot longer to get in the groove after a break from the saddle.

Enjoy your new horse :).
 
I had a great clinic last week and the instructor has some downloads through the website iridetraining that you can download to listen to in your own time.
 
Lessons, lessons and more lessons are fine but will eventually cause your horse to become very bored. You need to also 'do' things out and about, hacking and forest/beach rides if the roads are to busy will help you develop a partnership and so improve your riding, you can put the ideas from the lessons into practice when you're out and about.
 
I'm more old age than middle age but my advice would be to keep up the hacking! I find my body is more relaxed so I can focus on stretching myself/opening my hip etc etc. Suppleness is what I lack due to increasing arthritis. I still school out hacking - leg yield across the road, shoulder fore, quarters in etc etc. Also, you can still play with transitions and variability within the pace - so, little trot, medium trot, big trot. Straightness is also best worked on I find out of the school.

Yes, have lessons but keep it fun for both you and the horse.
 
Tiddlypom said:
As well as frequent lessons on the horse, concentrate on rider fitness and agility. I have just started attending Equipilates sessions, and have had very beneficial riding simulator sessions. Get a good physio/chiro/osteo too, my osteo made a huge improvement in my natural crookedness, which pays big dividends when riding.

Once up and going, we oldies can ride as well as ever, but it takes a lot longer to get in the groove after a break from the saddle.

Enjoy your new horse :).
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I agree with this. After a few injuries in my 50s, I found that I had got very stiff and my core was nowhere near as toned as it was before I had to spend 8 weeks doing next to nothing as my broken ankle healed. I had some lessons with an RI on a mechanical horse and physio sessions to get my suppleness back. Currently I have sessions with a physio on a mechanical horse and that has made a real difference to my position.
 
I am planning to have a mechanical horse session, we do plenty of hacking as well as schooling so we won't get bored, we've been out to dressage and a lovely hack this weekend.
 
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