What do you class as a 'good rider'

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Em123

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As title really?

Do you go on the amount they win or on how many horses they ride?

People that turn quirky horses into nice all rounders
Or other?
 
I generally go on how well they ride visually. I'm sure everyone has come across a Miss 'I can do everything and anything' then falls to pieces on the horse!

I'd class a good rider as someone who can get a good response out of a horse without the use of gadgets and contraptions. I like to see the horse happy to do what it's being asked and the rider to sit quietly giving gentle, but firm aids.
 
Em123 said:
1. Do you go on the amount they win?
2. How many horses they ride?
3. People that turn quirky horses into nice all rounders?
4. Or other?
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1. Anyone can beat a horse round a course quickly!
2. A beginner could ride 5 horses if they wanted!
3. Again, could be beaten into submission!
4. Yes! Someone with a good position, who is kind with their horses, treats them well and is constantly learning!
 
How they look on the horse- are they quiet, and consistent, and fair? Do they get the horse to perform for them?

The number of horses they ride doesn't matter, although if they have multiple rides from people on top of their own horses you would assume they're at least competent.

It's tricky to judge. You just have to look at youtube- there are riders on there lauded as the best thing since Jesus, yet I really don't rate them at all. Then there are lots of riders who are very good who have about 2 subscribers!
 
I think the way the horse goes tells you how good the rider is.
To get a horse to move with energy, fluidity, softness, straightness and expression takes a good rider.

Getting a donkey to move and a racehorse to stop also takes a good rider without a whip, spurs or strong bit.
 
horserider said:
I think the way the horse goes tells you how good the rider is.
To get a horse to move with energy, fluidity, softness, straightness and expression takes a good rider.

Getting a donkey to move and a racehorse to stop also takes a good rider without a whip, spurs or strong bit.
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Agree with this! A good rider is not someone who is brave to get on anything and then get the horse to tuck its head in which unfortunately I have seen a lot of!
 
I think a good rider is someone that can get the horse to go to the best if its ability for them without using any unnecessary force, aids or gadgets, and look composed in themselves while doing it :)
 
Interesting question with no one answer.

Everyone has a different opinion, a good rider could be the one that has worked their socks off training, or the one that has never had a formal lesson, ever, but has natural balance and just seems to make the whole thing look effortless.

Someone 'good' at dressage/schooling/whatever, might be completely useless, a liability in fact, if you took them on the mountains for a gallop, and vice versa.

A 'good rider' should be more than just a rider who can get a tune out of a horse, they need empathy with their mount too. You can get results without being a horseperson, but your horse won't give you that little bit extra.
 
Patterdale said:
Anyone who consistently gets off a better horse than the one they got on.
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I like this :)

But what about those on a horse who knows considerably more than they do? I can think of people I would rate as very good riders, but their riding doesn't improve their horse/ pony's way of going...
 
Someone who rides in a balanced sympathetic style, and who can get a horse to go nicely. I prefer quiet riders, not neccasarily the ones who make a lot of noise about how well they do.
 
A good rider for me is someone who works with the horse and has a good, balanced position with complete control over their body weight and aids, making it easier for the horse to carry their weight and use themselves properly. I think a good rider also needs patience and perception - knowing when to ask for a little more and when to wait for the horse to work something out or be strong enough for a certain movement. They don't necessarily have to be riding or competing at a high level but they should have the knowledge and experience to look at the entire management of the horse and to understand how this impacts on the ridden work, so they are looking at the complete picture rather than assuming that a ridden issue can always be solved in the saddle. And, of course, a good rider must like and respect the horse. :)

I don't know many people that I would class as really good.. :p (And I'm certainly not!!)
 
The people I know that I would class as 'good riders' are the ones that would never consider themselves as that and would always admit to the fact that you will never stop learning.
Any horse will judge immediately as to whether they have a good rider on their backs or not so look at the horse, not necessarily the rider.
The best example I can think of is to watch a clip of Nuno Oliveira. He almost looks to be asleep in the saddle but it is, in my eyes, perfection.
 
I don't know how I would describe good riding, but I think it is one of those things that is a case of 'you know it when you see it' :)
 
A good rider to me is somebody who can ride a horse with empathy, patience, consistency and quietly. They understand an individual within a few seconds of being near them. One who can get a tune out of anything not by force or strength but in a way that is simple and easy to comprehend to a horse.

They may not always be the 'prettiest' of Jockeys and to the untrained eye may be deemed untidy but results will speak for themselves.
 
You definatly don't need to be competitive one of the best riders I know does not complete rides lots of tricky horses for people just for fun ( does not own a horse) wont have had a lesson since childhood has great balance is strong ( in a good way ) and has loads of empathy for horses.
 
There is a difference to me in people who "can ride" and people who are are a "good rider".

A person who "can ride" doesn't need to be special in any disapline, they can just get on a horse and ride it. If you can ride then you aren't frightened of that nappy horse, or the one that rears or bucks or spins round, you'll just get on with it, give him confidence and bring him round. You can get good tunes out of a horse. That's what someone who can ride does.

good riders are those who do so much better than what we can, in all dicaplines.

All others, cannot ride.
 
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