Lark_B
New User
I am what I think we could safely classify as an "intermediate rider." I've been riding for 20 years but I'm not particularly athletic, and until I found a trainer I clicked with 3 years ago I never thought I would come to anything as a rider. She helped me gain a lot of confidence, as did my lovely gelding who has turned into a lovely lower level dressage horse. We learned together really so he doesn't know anything more than I do--at the moment he is producing not-embarrassing shoulder-in, haunches-in and half pass. I knew a lot of theory and had no skills, now I have some skills but they aren't really confirmed if you know what I mean and I have some big holes I want to work on. In the years I was at the yard with that trainer, I rode my horse but also rode at times up to 3 other people's horses because I gained a reputation of being a kind, competent rider, at the very least the horses always went round and forward ad through their backs, and if we were in a lesson sometimes a lot more.
Well, I have moved many many MANY miles away for for about another year and looking to get back in the saddle. I still own that horse and know all the people that own those other horses but obviously as they are still back there I can't ride them or ride with my trainer. Where I come from, EVERYONE has a covered or indoor school, and most are quite large.
I really want to improve my skills, and learn more dressage so that when I go home and maybe purchase a younger horse, we can move along a little more quickly in our education because I will know what "doing it right" feels like. More importantly, I REALLY want to gain a much more solid seat, long leg, a little elegance, you know? I want to be a better rider.
I found a horse that is 20 miles (40 round trip) from me. He is a Grand Prix schoolmaster, really sweet horse and I know I will be safe on him. He's way smarter than me, I have figured that out from a grand total of 45 minutes in the saddle. Aside from being £6 in petrol every time I go ride, the covered school is really tiny (like one 20m circle size) and while that's not really a problem in the summer, come winter I am sure it will be limiting especially since there are many other liveries there. The saddle she has for him is a Kieffer and probably won't fit me as Kieffers generally don't, so I will probably have to sort my own saddle and fitting too. There are lots and lots of trainers of varying prices, experience and toughness that are available that either come to the yard or that I can go to with the owner when she goes for lessons, obviously the trainer is key for me to reach my goals. To ride about 3x a week, she wants £50pw and shoes (about £75 when needed). Does this seem high? Low? Normal?
My horse budget is £400 a month but if I move house, it can be more...
Help!
Well, I have moved many many MANY miles away for for about another year and looking to get back in the saddle. I still own that horse and know all the people that own those other horses but obviously as they are still back there I can't ride them or ride with my trainer. Where I come from, EVERYONE has a covered or indoor school, and most are quite large.
I really want to improve my skills, and learn more dressage so that when I go home and maybe purchase a younger horse, we can move along a little more quickly in our education because I will know what "doing it right" feels like. More importantly, I REALLY want to gain a much more solid seat, long leg, a little elegance, you know? I want to be a better rider.
I found a horse that is 20 miles (40 round trip) from me. He is a Grand Prix schoolmaster, really sweet horse and I know I will be safe on him. He's way smarter than me, I have figured that out from a grand total of 45 minutes in the saddle. Aside from being £6 in petrol every time I go ride, the covered school is really tiny (like one 20m circle size) and while that's not really a problem in the summer, come winter I am sure it will be limiting especially since there are many other liveries there. The saddle she has for him is a Kieffer and probably won't fit me as Kieffers generally don't, so I will probably have to sort my own saddle and fitting too. There are lots and lots of trainers of varying prices, experience and toughness that are available that either come to the yard or that I can go to with the owner when she goes for lessons, obviously the trainer is key for me to reach my goals. To ride about 3x a week, she wants £50pw and shoes (about £75 when needed). Does this seem high? Low? Normal?
My horse budget is £400 a month but if I move house, it can be more...
Help!
I have lessons as and when my instructor (who is perfect for me) and my schedules coincide.
