In your opinion, what makes a 'good rider'?..

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aimeejay

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I was having a conversation with my friend about what different people think a 'good rider' is. I know you can get a good rider in a certain type of riding, e.g dressage or jumping, but what makes a 'good rider' over all?

Would love to hear everyones opinions? :)
 
Someone who can get a horse to do what they want it to do without causing it unnecessary discomfort, and without falling off too often!

Blitz
 
blitznbobs said:
Someone who can get a horse to do what they want it to do without causing it unnecessary discomfort, and without falling off too often!

Blitz
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This completely. Someone who can communicate sufficiently with a horse to make riding an enjoyable experience for all involved.
 
In my opinion a good rider is someone who can ride any type of horse and look good, or look as if they know what they are doing.
Many people may think someone who can jump 'big' are good riders, as they have the confidence,etc, but there is no point jumping big if you cant do it well.
Any rider who causes discomfort or pain to a horse, should not even be able to call themselves a rider.
Also, if you can learn from your mistakes and admit you are/were wrong, that is a sign of a good rider in my eyes.:cool:
 
Someone, who rides with soft hands, a positive seat. Who can get on anything and give it confidence to go forward, in which ever field. But most of all someone who does it with a smile on there face!
 
Someone that is effective, not neccessarily stylish, but have a basic correct seat at least.
To be able to get on with the horse and not hinder it in any way, and to work with the horse and not against.
 
'I think a good rider is one who has a good understanding of all things related to horses for a start - after all, how can you really know that your riding well if you don't really understand the equipment you're using, how what you're doing influences the horse in terms of different disciplines, or how treatment of the horse may affect the way it rides. A good rider should also be open minded, and open to different ideas on how to look at problems, and how different people cope with different problems rather than just saying that their way is right - while they may prefer 'their way' I think that a good rider should at least be understanding of both other riders/trainers & other horses!
Also, I view a good rider as someone who is sympathetic, clear & consistent, and has good equitation! Because after all, actually looking the part & doing the job has to come into it somewhere!

I think it's hard to write a short answer for that sort of question - I could go on!

Personally, I'd like to think that I was a good rider (who wouldn't?) but I know that there are a lot of ways in which I could improve. '

Quoted from another thread, cos I was too lazy to retype it ;)
 
Someone who can not only get on any type of horse and make it 'look' good but who can truly improve the horse's way of going. A good rider is sympathetic, clear but light with the aids, and in balance on the horse's back. They have a feel for when to coax and when to insist, when to push on through a problem and when to try asking a different question. Above all, a good rider never blames the horse.
 
I once got told that "when you can keep a horse in a good solid outline for a full schooling session, then you can say you're a good rider"....
I disagree.
I think it's far more important to see a horse and rider, co-operating with one another, at similiar levels pushing for the same achievements (whatever they may be; jumping 5ft, getting diagonals right, or hacking out without napping!) and most importantly, having fun!!!! :D;):p:)
 
I think it's someone who can get a tune out of any horse. I spose, I think it's being able to make any horse go as well as it possibly can, and make an average horse look good, but in a kind and sympathetic way. If you don't have empathy and a feel for horses, I think you can get good results (sometimes) but not be "good".

Aaah I am not making sense..
 
KellysHeroes said:
I once got told that "when you can keep a horse in a good solid outline for a full schooling session, then you can say you're a good rider"....
I disagree.
I think it's far more important to see a horse and rider, co-operating with one another, at similiar levels pushing for the same achievements (whatever they may be; jumping 5ft, getting diagonals right, or hacking out without napping!) and most importantly, having fun!!!! :D;):p:)
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I agree - saw a lady on a horse at Thame show on Saturday, and she road into the ring with a huge beaming smile on her face and her horse looked really happy too. I said to daughter that this lady would do well - and she did, rode beautfully and got a clear round.
 
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