What defines a competent rider?

Lintel

Lintel

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Not that I'm looking but I've seen a lot of ads of recent with Competent riders only strictly no novices.

What does this mean to everyone?
 
I think a novice can be more than competent of riding a well educated horse so the quote you use is a bit contradictory and suggests that the horses are lacking schooling.

To me the rider will be capable of riding confidently in all paces, possibly jump a few fences and capable of hacking out on a sensible horse, I wouldn't expect them to be able to improve it but would expect them to be able to use the arena properly and get the horse working reasonably well depending on it's level of education, probably not as well as the normal rider but at least attempting to get it going in the correct way.
 
I kind of think that since its ads, maybe they are trying to weed out the people who have barely ridden yet want to own a horse. They want only people who know how to ride asking to see the horse.
 
To me a competent rider is one that would not be unnerved by a horse that can throw in a spook, nap or buck, and that has several years of experience riding all manner of horses.

A competent rider would also be one able to bring a horse on, and cope with any handling issues on the ground.

Tbh if I read an ad that said for 'competent' riders only, I would suspect the horse to be quirky and have possible issues!
 
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I agree with others above about using 'competent' as a term to ward off beginners!

I've called myself competent rider on forms before - I take it as I can comfortably and happily sit on most horses, know what I'm doing (you could leave me to it), and understand the fundamentals of horses. To put into context I've competed up to BE90 and owned horses for over a decade - but I'm no magical rider and wouldn't be confident breaking in/ bringing a total youngster on for example!

On the other hand, I tend to be put off my adverts that contain words like that, it puts my guard up!
 
For me a competent rider is someone who stays on the horse, doesn't hurt the horse, and the horse goes in the direction it is asked to go at the speed it is asked to go at.

I think there's a world of difference between a competent rider and an experienced rider or a skilled rider. And that it's perfectly possible to be a competent rider for only one type of horse, or even on only one horse.
 
I would class myself as "Competent". I am not advanced, but I have experience. I haven't got the stickiest bum in the world, but I can sit a spook or a buck. I can deal with a nap & am happy to ride in open spaces. I'll jump, tiddly of course, and have done pleasure rides & an Intro test.

So, yes, I can ride & I consider myself Competent.
 
It's a tricky one as I recently sold a pony who is completely excellent in every way yet I still wanted the parent to be "competent" to ensure no bad habits crept in with her. I think in these ads you need to read it in context. For instance if it's describing a bomb proof cob you can take anywhere and do anything but needs a competent rider, it probably means in the wrong hands it's going to walk all over them and not be the best it can be, if that makes sense.
 
If an ad says it, these days I probably wouldn't look. Life's too short for me to be bothered with a horse that wants to ditch me.

But also I would assume most horses will spook and occasionally misbehave.
 
FfionWinnie said:
It's a tricky one as I recently sold a pony who is completely excellent in every way yet I still wanted the parent to be "competent" to ensure no bad habits crept in with her. I think in these ads you need to read it in context. For instance if it's describing a bomb proof cob you can take anywhere and do anything but needs a competent rider, it probably means in the wrong hands it's going to walk all over them and not be the best it can be, if that makes sense.
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I agree with FW.
I have a bomb proof mare who had spent a few years in RS, also doing RDA but she had walked all over her novice subsequent owner, running away with him on hacks and generally being a pain in the stable. Here, she is fabulous, still bombproof on the road, which is what I needed but minds her manners both ridden and on the ground because she understands who is in charge (not her, lol!)
Imo anyone who owns a horse to ride themselves should be a competent rider, able to correct the horse if necessary, teach it new things and generally improve it. Those who are only capable of being a passenger should get more RS experiences.
 
To me a competent rider is one that can ably deal with the eventualiaties and risks associated with riding horses in the school and out on hacks including nappiness and random happenings like rogue balloons blowing across the hills from a nearby wedding venues.
 
stormox said:
I've seen ads stating'suitable for a competant novice'.......... Is there such a thing?????
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Yes! Competence and experience are different things.

Novice means new or inexperienced. Contrary to what many on here will say you can't be a novice rider with 20 years of riding experience. You can be incompetent or lacking in certain skills or experiences though.

I would say a competent novice would be someone who hasn't been riding long so has limited experience but who has had some good lessons and progressed so is off the lead rein and reasonably secure in all paces (might be unseated by a buck but generally balanced and secure) on a variety of safe horses (but not just kick along plods), but perhaps doesn't have much variety of experience. So maybe hasn't competed or hacked alone or had sole charge of a horse or perhaps has only ridden in riding schools and trekking centres.

I think in the context of an advert it means not a beginner but you don't have to be the next Mark Todd.
 
I would say one that knows what they can ride and what they can't. Understands their own limitations etc. E.g. I know I can get on most horses and get a tune out of them. I know I don't mind horses that throw in a buck, can deal with a moderate rearer but hate horses that spin and F off.... so would avoid another of those so if poss if Advert said 'suit competent rider' I could ask those questions and see if it suited... I really find sellers who lie a pain. I once went to see a beautiful show cob type having already asked about the above...(it was a saint apparently ) the girl got on it and it gave a lovely brook session.(he does that when he's fresh she says now).. normally this wouldn't bother me but what else had she lied about? I didn't get on...
 
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