Please help what is my riding ability ?

[sophiegairdner]

Hello
I am planning on maybe sharing a horse or pony locally and I would like to tel them my riding ability but I don’t want to say to high or low and was hoping you could help.
I have ridden for 12 years now and have ridden in a riding schools and on polo ponies and am riding a green 15hh horse for my granny at the moment. I can confidently walk trot canter gallop and jump up to 80cm courses capably. I am comfortable bareback and stirrupless in all paces. I am also not fazed by if the pony bucks and I can stay on when a pony rears and bolts and am not bad at handling a greener / less experienced horse. In dressage I can leg yield turn on the forehand and perform serpentines.

please be honest I don’t want to overestimate my capabilities as a share and want to provide the possible sharers with the right information.

thank you very much for you help
Sophie Xx

 

[Arzada]

Hi Rather than say you are eg an intermediate rider (which doesn't really say anything) just explain your experience as you have done in your OP. If I was offering a share I'd be wondering about the rearing and bolting experiences, your age and what you are looking for from your share (days, responsibilities etc) and the share horse.

 

[Shay]

To be honest just say what you have just said. Its difficult to read between the lines but you sound like a relatively solid if inexperienced novice. As you look for a share the owner is more likely to want to know about your experience of day to day horse care. Your riding ability they will work out for themselves when they see you.

 

[windand rain]

competent would be my estimation as other decsriptions mean nothing. I would be more interested in how you handle the horse than how you ride it to be honest. Can you see when its not on top form, can you tell if it is sound, Can you identify colic, laminitis and poor tack fit. Do you believe in punishment, do you believe a horse can "have you on" do you think it okay to be bitten kicked or dumped deliberately because he/she is just playing. What are your ground rules etc

 

[Trouper]

I think a share is as much about the person as their riding ability. You certainly sound a competent rider but we all have different riding "styles" depending on how we were taught and, as others have said, a share involves as much care of the horse as riding ability. It's all about finding a "good fit" with the owner and being understanding about how the they like the horse to be ridden/cared for. You also do have to think about how the type of horse on offer will suit you and where you are trying to take your riding.

 

[sophiegairdner]

competent would be my estimation as other decsriptions mean nothing. I would be more interested in how you handle the horse than how you ride it to be honest. Can you see when its not on top form, can you tell if it is sound, Can you identify colic, laminitis and poor tack fit. Do you believe in punishment, do you believe a horse can "have you on" do you think it okay to be bitten kicked or dumped deliberately because he/she is just playing. What are your ground rules etc

Yes I can I have helped my dad for ages in who is a professional polo player so I can identify basic health problems with horses I don’t believe in punishment the opposite really if they do well they get a treat a pat etc I don’t mind if the pony bites particularly my old pony used too I think that’s about it thanks for your reply xx

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Be careful with your terminology. You do not want to ride a bolter ever. If you are meaning bolt to mean bog off and the advert is using bolt in the true sense, it could be very nasty. The same goes with rearing and bucking too. Someone who can sit small rears and bucks could be really badly injured by a horse that rears vertical and bucks like a rodeo horse. Hopefully no-one would share a horse that dangerous... but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised as people sell dangerous horses all the time.

If the horse is a good match for you then it really does come down to you being a good match with the owner as has been mentioned above.

If it helps, I stopped someone riding my grey who was a far better rider than I am. The reason - they didn't listen to how I trained her. I specifically said that I didn't do XXX, they did XXX and were not given a second chance.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Just be honest with any person whose horse you wish to share/loan. Too many riders 'over egg the pudding' & when they actually ride it becomes obvious that they do not have the abilities they have said they have. We had a horse up for sale at our yard, the horse was accurately described & it was a beautiful looking horse. We had over 40 people phoning to arrange to come & view. The first 6 came over a period of a few days & to be honest none of them had enough ability to ride the horse. Many could not have read the advert as they were asking questions that were answered in the advert. Then one came & she had read the advert, understood what she was going to be riding & rode well. She bought the horse & we were happy for her to have him. Riders must be realistic about their abilities & be truthful, it saves everyone's time.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Everybody has different ideas of abilities, so I would just tell them what you have done. But I agree with above regarding bolting, a true bolt isn’t a situation you want to put yourself in!

 

[gallopingby]

I sometimes have people coming to help but if they don’t listen or decide to do something they’ve been told not to do they don’t get a second chance. You sound like a competent rider and if you’ve been exercising polo ponies you’ve probably learnt a few things! It depends on your age and situation as much as anything though.

 

[Muddywellies]

You sound like a pretty confident rider with good stickability. Just need to consider how knowledgeable you are when it comes to understanding and improving the horses general way of going. Can you tell if the horse isnt engaged and on the aids and if not, how to improve it? Do you understand the scales of training? If not, I'd say a confident and competent novice. If yes, then perhaps intermediate. What level of dressage would you say you train at? (that's a pretty good indication of your riding level)

 

[LegOn]

Sometimes its better to just ride the horse with the owners and let them gauge if you suit the horse and vice versa - one persons idea of an intermediate rider is another persons idea of a novice! And sometimes it doesnt matter your experience or level of riding - sometimes you just dont suit each other! So ask the owners to have a open mind, watch you ride & make up their mind then, and same goes for you - ride the horse, see how you feel & then decide if you can handle their level of training.

Its so hard because the variables are vast and many!

 

[Shilasdair]

Always say 'novice' regardless.
It avoids people hastening your death by giving you nutters to ride.

 

[sophiegairdner]

Thank you everyone and by bolt and rear I mean like a vertical full rear and I have been on a horse that bolted Round the whole field properly (just of the track thoroughbred not a good idea) and also I have been proper bucked round a field fell off eventually and broke my hip so don’t use the terms lightly but obviously will be looking for a calmer horse or pony to ride normally. I will obviously tell the new sharer my riding ability honestly. thank you for all your help it’s really useful Xx

 

[sophiegairdner]

Also forgot to mention my dads a professional horse rider and has some very young horses just off the track and from the age of about nine he has put me on about everything so quite used to being thrown off etc...

 

[sophiegairdner]

You sound like a pretty confident rider with good stickability. Just need to consider how knowledgeable you are when it comes to understanding and improving the horses general way of going. Can you tell if the horse isnt engaged and on the aids and if not, how to improve it? Do you understand the scales of training? If not, I'd say a confident and competent novice. If yes, then perhaps intermediate. What level of dressage would you say you train at? (that's a pretty good indication of your riding level)

On my dressage level I would say novice working on elementary but not my speciality as I mostly play polo Xx

 

[Maesto's Girl]

Having been bolted with 3 times in my riding career I can safely say leave that bit out of it. And these were true bolts. 1 I came off instead of being run straight into a tree and the others (without trees involved) finally ran their course.

I agree with the others though - just say what you have done, rather than define yourself by a 'level' as this is very much in the eye of the beholder. What is novice to one, may be intermediate to another. I'd also highlight your experience off the horse too as for me, that is half the picture.

 

[sophiegairdner]

Having been bolted with 3 times in my riding career I can safely say leave that bit out of it. And these were true bolts. 1 I came off instead of being run straight into a tree and the others (without trees involved) finally ran their course.

I agree with the others though - just say what you have done, rather than define yourself by a 'level' as this is very much in the eye of the beholder. What is novice to one, may be intermediate to another. I'd also highlight your experience off the horse too as for me, that is half the picture.

Yes I don’t want a bolted at all that was the only time I nearly didn’t get back on the horse ye so will highlight that I have always been around horses can tack up know horses health and can muck out stables do bandages rugs etc etc Xx

 

[Maesto's Girl]

Yes I don’t want a bolted at all that was the only time I nearly didn’t get back on the horse ye so will highlight that I have always been around horses can tack up know horses health and can muck out stables do bandages rugs etc etc Xx

Sounds good.
Good luck with your search.....and not being bolted with again x

 

[J&S]

Has your Dad not got a polo pony who needs a quieter life that you could ride as "your" pony? You would at least know all the back ground. (and so would he!)

 

[sophiegairdner]

Has your Dad not got a polo pony who needs a quieter life that you could ride as "your" pony? You would at least know all the back ground. (and so would he!)

He lives in now with his horses so it would be pretty hard to ship one over when I lived in Australia I did have my own he has a hundred ish so would hope if I lived with him he would let me have one Xx

 

[Muddywellies]

On my dressage level I would say novice working on elementary but not my speciality as I mostly play polo Xx

Just seen your post from 4 July when you said you had only ridden in a riding school. But puzzled now. Are you a riding school rider or polo player - they are worlds apart.

 

[sophiegairdner]

Just seen your post from 4 July when you said you had only ridden in a riding school. But puzzled now. Are you a riding school rider or polo player - they are worlds apart.

Loads of people get confused I’ve been brought up in the polo world and am a polo player but now have recently (4years a go) found the best riding school which is teaching me much more About eventing and the principles behind jumping and dressage so both but I also ride a young 8 year old which I am helping train and teach to jump and hopefully she will be my pony club eventer hope that answers your question Xx

 

[Shilasdair]

As an aside, OP, it's never wise to use your real name as a Username on forums, particularly those full of mad horsey people.

 

[Arzada]

Also forgot to mention my dads a professional horse rider and has some very young horses just off the track and from the age of about nine he has put me on about everything so quite used to being thrown off etc...

I'd leave all of the rearing and bolting experience off the CV. I also wouldn't mention being an experienced crash dummy. You don't want to come to the attention of the unscrupulous who might want to test your mettle.

 

[mini_b]

Sophie, in one post you mention a horse jogging or stopping before fences would make you nervy but then you’d consider a difficult sort that rears vertical/chucks bucks/tanks off.
Even if it’s not bolting, a full on yob tank off isn’t fun and it’s dangerous.

please be careful when looking, for you don’t want to end up with something that isn’t fun/down right dangerous for the pair of you.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

As an aside, OP, it's never wise to use your real name as a Username on forums, particularly those full of mad horsey people.

Particularly when you are a minor, the OP is only 13.

 

[Arzada]

Particularly when you are a minor, the OP is only 13.

Hhm. I'd be a bit surprised on meeting a potential sharer who has 'ridden for 12 years' to find a 13 yo in front of me.

 

[sophiegairdner]

I’m

Hhm. I'd be a bit surprised on meeting a potential sharer who has 'ridden for 12 years' to find a 13 yo in front of me.

actually 14 and a half i have ridden properly since about 2 and a half off the lead rein but to everyone else I obviously will be looking for something sensible doesn’t bolt buck or anything except maybe an odd excited buck or runs out or jogs a bit out of excitement or something but nothing dangerous my mum will be helping and she is an experienced horsewomen Xx

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I’m

actually 14 and a half i have ridden properly since about 2 and a half off the lead rein but to everyone else I obviously will be looking for something sensible doesn’t bolt buck or anything except maybe an odd excited buck or runs out or jogs a bit out of excitement or something but nothing dangerous my mum will be helping and she is an experienced horsewomen Xx

Post 1, this thread in July, you say you are 13. I'll leave this here, you are a minor so please please think before you post different things
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/what-horse-for-tall-13-year-old.791763/