What level would you class me?

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TeddyBean

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as in: novice, intermediate etc.

I have been riding on and off pretty much my whole life (I'm 18) I am happy in all gaits including galloping, but not too experienced with jumping as I am more of a happy hacker!

I have experience of riding some pretty spooky horses (think having a panic attack and rearing in the middle of a road, then reversing into a ditch with me!)

Anyhoo.. somebody I know is looking to bring their 6 year old back into some basic work after turning him away for 9 months... I was wondering if I should offer to ride him (as she has no time) but she is looking for an experienced rider. I don't know if I qualify for this, hene why I'm askng you knowledable people :)
 
I think it's hard to class people as a 'level'.

You can be technically brilliant, but still a novice in my opinion if you can't recognise an issue and work to resolve it.

So, I guess that's the question? can you recognise where there might be a problem, know how to resolve it. Be calm, consistent and not afraid to ask for help? If so, then yes, you could probably help.

I think the worst thing you can do is to over-horse yourself though or over estimate your ability (not yours, I mean generally).
 
I find it hard to class someone on a level. For example, without the jumping element, someone could class you as fairly experienced. With the jumping, some may still count you as a novice/intermediate.
It would depend greatly on what the owner wanted doing with the horse. Would you be able to work the horse as required or does your knowledge lack somewhere.
Just echoing what Spangie said really; just be honest with yourself otherwise things may turn sour.
If you find that your in a position to help, then go ahead and good luck.
 
I think I would notce any problems and I'd ty to correct them, over the years I have learned to to be afraid to ask questions, I used to be awful at just hoping for the best when I was younger!

I am slightly worried about over-horsing because he's a big lad at 17hh, but friend says that he is a gent,well behaved when ridden but can be bossy on te ground.
 
There's only one way you're going to find out. Could you go and have a ride and see how you feel about him? At the same time the owner will be able to see your level of riding, i'm sure she will let you know if she thinks your capable enough.
 
I would agree with speaking to the owner, until you do you won't know exactly what they are looking for. When I was looking for a sharer for mine, years ago, the best person for her was actually the one with the least experience but the calmest manner.
 
To be honest, IMO if you have to ask, then you are a novice.

Over-horsing yourself is NOT about having a horse that is too big for you. It's about having a horse that's too much for you.

However, this woman probably knows your riding better than anyone on here, so just ask her if she thinks you'd be suitable - you've got nothing to lose by asking.
 
To a professional you would be a novice to a riding school rider you would be experienced - it is all relative.

It sounds to me like you would be Ok if the horse was relatively straightforward but perhaps don't have an awful lot of tools in your toolbox to deal with by yourself the variety of challenges that you might face? For example - how did you deal with the panicking and rearing horse? Could you have avoided that situation developing in the first place? and did you go on to improve that horse? An experienced rider to me is someone whom I know has dealt with many problems and succeeded in making a better horse and only having to seek advice in rarer situations.
 
Really depends on what the owner considers an experienced rider.
A lot of people would consider my 18yo daughter an experienced rider. Ridden all her life and had her own ponies and horses since se was 5. Has a small amount of BS winnings and has been placed at low level BD. however I would class her as novice and certainly wouldnt want bringing a horse of that size and age back in to work unless under very close supervision.
 
Firstly, sorry for all the typos, my keyboard is having a meltdown leaving out letters!

Thankyou all for your advice, I have spokento the owner and explained my level of experience and she is happy for me to ride him, as long as I am hppy with him and he is happy with me.

I know that over-horsing isn't about having a horse that's too big for you, hence why I put that he was a gent and well behaved on the whole.

With regards to the panicing horse, he was btten by a horsefly, so there was nothing I could do to prevent it, the situation was quickly rectified... but for the several years I rode him, he taught me a great deal
 
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