What level rider/equestrian am I?

[AlwaysAugust]

Hello, it is my first time using the forums so I apologise if I am posting in the wrong thread.

I would like opinions on which level of rider I am because (after quarantine) I am going to be looking for a share/part loan and would not like to waste any owner’s time by claiming to be a different level than I am.

I am a 16 female who has been riding for 11 years, I have been riding at the same two riding schools for 10 years. I use to ride twice a week during the academic term (one normal group lesson and one pony club lesson) with the occasional jump lesson on a weekend but stopped jumping at 11. During the summer break, I do light hacking and frequent beach rides.

At my riding school, I rode at a novice/intermediate lesson for several years ( because we did not have further lessons for under 16s). Unfortunately this means that I rode the same couple horses with the same instructor, doing the same activities for several years which I believe limited my progress.

I stopped riding at the riding school this year because I am studying equine at college, I ride 3 times a week (two flat, one jump) and am slowly gaining confidence in jumping again. I currently jump 80-90 but am still slightly nervous when approaching.

Although nervous jumping, I can sit through refusals and most run-outs; I am not afraid of refusals but run-outs worry me as I am still working on my balance.

I have rode a range of horses and have fallen of plenty (?). I am use to riding a bucking horse and can sit through it, strong horses (which I still struggle with) and laid-back horses but have never had a horse bronc or rear anywhere near vertical. I have ridden a mix of breeds but no TBs, mostly cobs and mixes; as well as heights (I currently ride between 14.5hh and 18hh at college but I am 5’4 weighing 64KG)

In terms of flat work, I am confident in walk, trot and canter; will gallop but I can be nervous if it is a strong horse (can also get nervous cantering due to fear of losing control. I use to ride in a group of 8 and now in a group of 5 so worry about collisions.) I can do basic shapes and serpentines as well as lengthening and shorting in trot (working on canter). I can do trot and canter polls (and lunge over them), flying changes, turn on the forehand, leg yielding and other similar lateral movements but would not be able to teach a young horse some of these movements.

I have experience doing yard work and can feed, groom, bath, muck out, plait (not perfect), rug and tack up with a variety of equipment.

I have recently learned how to lunge but would only be confident in lunging an easy horse as my lecturer has always been there when a horse broncs or gets out of control. I am confident long reining if I have a partner who is knowledgeable about horses.

I have never owned or loaned/shared a horse before but have two duty horses who I look after for 2 hours a day, everyday ; one weekend a month, we are given 5 horses to look after through out an 8 hour day. The normal duties switch between morning and afternoon so I am also confident in catching and turning out horses.


I apologise for such a long post (and I probably forgot to mention something lol) but I’d like to have as clear of an idea as possible. I am aware that I am a capable rider and equestrian but am self doubting and have low self esteem so do not believe in the rank my family place me in (older sister use to ride and loan, grandmother use to look after race horses)

Thank you for reading and look forward to replies (please do not sugar coat and be honest)

 

[AlwaysAugust]

I have a few videos of me riding (mainly jumping) which are a few months old but I cannot post them as they are to large/not supported.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

You can always upload to youtube/facebook/alternative and then post the link.

 

[AlwaysAugust]

Good idea!

I’ve had a couple issues uploading to anything but Instagram and even then I’ve had to record the video using a different phone the quality is very bad but here is the link:

https://www.instagram.com/alwaysaugusthere_/

 

[Ambers Echo]

You sound an ideal sharer! Sharers are not there to produce young horses but to give owners a hand with stable work and keeping horses fit etc. I'd just say you are experienced riding school/ equestrian college rider now looking for your first share horse so are wanting a straightforward horse for hacking, schooling and yard work. That will tell owners enough and they will want to see you ride anyway.

I was looking for a sharer for a young competition horse and had plenty of queries from people in your situation (riding school riders who had never had their own horse) who did not understand that there is a big difference between being able to ride experienced horses and being able to cope with young, sharp ones. So your self awareness puts you way ahead of the game already! Good luck.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

It is always difficult to judge one's own riding ability; I've been sitting on horses ever since I was 7yo, but I wouldn't ever consider myself a "confident" rider as I've always ridden nice easy horses; yet somehow or other, 3yrs ago at the age of 57 I took on my very first ever youngster!

Oh and I failed Pony Club C test to boot!!

I always think the test of a really good rider is how they cope with a strange horse and/or a horse that is up a level from what they've ridden to date. Appreciate its difficult right now, but something you could aim to do after lockdown would be to get heaps of experience at riding different horses - and different types of horses, as well as widening your experience to perhaps try a different discipline to anything you've done so far, i.e. if you're a dressage-diva then have a bash at Showjumping, for example - or there's stuff like Endurance, Le Trec, or Horse Agility..........

You come across as very honest and self-appraising OP and have obviously thought about your own riding ability and how you wish to progress. Wishing you good luck!

 

[ihatework]

In terms of non-riding school ability I’d probably say you are a competent novice. From the videos you look ready for a share and you sound lovely, good luck!

 

[dogatemysalad]

You sound absolutely lovely. I've had several sharers over the years, some good, some bad and some down right awful. I don't actually need a sharer but you are the type of person I'd be happy to share my ID with.
The move from a riding school, working horse to a privately owned horse is a big leap. Ideally, you should look for an owner with a straightforward horse who has the time to support you in the beginning and has access to a school so you could have lessons along with general schooling and riding.
Don't forget to mention if you have transport. Good luck with your search.

 

[IrishMilo]

I'd say competent novice from the videos too.

 

[JFTDWS]

When it comes to sharers, attitude is more important than competence. If you're reliable, willing to learn, obey the rules the owner puts in place, and work hard, you'll be an asset to the owner, and you'll get a lot from the experience.

In your shoes, I'd look for a nice, sensible horse advertised as suitable for a novice. It is always better to be underhorsed than overhorsed, and shares aren't forever - you can move on when you've got a bit more experience under your belt.

 

[SEH]

You sound like you have most of the basics down and are a competent horse lover, but owning a horse is a whole new ballgame! Riding school horses are never like privately owned horses was said above! I think if you want to buy a horse, just be completely honest about your level to the owner. They know their horse best, and should be able to tell, if you trial ride it a few times, whether you are up to the horses level. If you don't want to share (Was never something I personally could do) you could just share one to start with to be able to prove what kind of a level you are at. Also, make sure that you have the knowledge and support to deal with things that go wrong! (First aid, knowing the signs of problems)


I have been riding since I was 4 and have still never had a horse freak out on me (Bronc/properly rear) and most chilled horses don't do this (The main problem in my experience is horses taking off suddenly). Just be sensible about the horse you want, don't fall in love with one you don't know anything about ect.