What level of rider am i classed as...

[express_75]

Hi
Just a light-hearted post really...

Used to ride as a kid ...lost my confidence on a killer pony and returned to riding after a massive break..Im just gone 33 (going on 18) and have been riding 4 years...
Over those years i have ridden a PBA 15h pony who gave me loads of confidence, then after he was PTS i rode a very sharp CBx, i couldn't deal with his ways so hacked out my friend's sharp but safe TB mare and finally in October last year bought my first horse...a four yr old Welsh D mare, who i hack out regulary and am now having lessons on so i can bring her on without ruining her.
I have hunted once, done sponsered rides, hacked alone/company/, can lunge (my version lol), canter on hacks/school but i still have that "beginner feeling" when a hairy moment strikes and i worry about falling off etc/ turn out very well, muck out/feed/water my mare well/ etc etc....but love it too much to ever stop - just want to be a good rider one day and have someone say..."Ooh, what a nice rider"

So....am i novice? or confident novice? Don't really know how i'd class myself...........

 

[trundle]

The day I progress to novice, I will be elated. At the moment I prefer to class myself as "happy numpty". I don't think anyone is ever going to stop me and say "ooh what a nice rider", but as long as they don't actually point and laugh, I am happy.

 

[express_75]

lol!
Im with you on the pointing and laughing one!

I was dying when former RI said in front of everyone that i was banana shaped when i rode! I think i'm more of a cucumber these days!
x

 

[tabithakat64]

Riding wise I would say I'm a novice.
I have been riding for 20 years but have only had regular lessons for probably a year of that. I lack confidence but I can walk, trot, canter, jump a small course or jumps and do basic lateral work on a wide variety of horses and ponies. I do have positional faults though and sometimes let them and my nerves get the better of me and produce some awful results

. I have competed a low level RC events in the past and am hoping to do some dressage and showing in the future with my current horse.
I am confident in handling, lunging and long reining a wide variety of horses and have worked at a rescue sanctury, veterinary practice, riding school, polo yard and run a job service at a livery yard. I would say my handling and horse management skills are much better than my riding.
I will always ask questions if I'm unsure of something, will continue having regular lessons and also try to keep up to date with regards to riding and horse care theories and new products on the market.
But I still wouldn't look at a horse for sale if it wasn't a 'novice ride'.

 

[Ottinmeg]

ive been riding 30 plus years and coulds have written express' post myself! told my instructor the other day i wanted to go right back to basics as ive never had a lesson in my life and am pretty much self taught. the first lesson i had with her she said how basic do you want to go and my reply was , well ive got on the horse so lets begin! have had a couple of fab lessons so far and learnt more in those than i have in 30 years of on/off riding.

 

[dawnpetenathshir]

Have been riding since I was 25 on and off. I have had my own horse for nearly three years and have learnt loads from friends I've made at the yard. Although I've been told I've got a good position and can do a reasonable basic dressage test I still feel as green as grass. Having said that my wobbles have been almost non existant this last month, hope I'm not heading for a fall!!