What type of rider am I?

benson21

benson21

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As many of you know, I am on the lookout for a new horse.
I have ridden and had weekly lessons for the last 9 years, rode my last horse on beach rides, hacking on my own, sj up to 2ft 3, although in lessons up to 3ft, competed prelim dressage, and done xc to 2ft 6.I trusted him with whatever we were doing.
But now looking for a new horse, I am considering myself as a novice, nervous rider. I know none of you know my riding, and once I know and trust the horse I would be much more confident. Do you think I would be ok looking at something that says not suitable for complete novices? When I see that on an ad, it just scares me!!!
 
benson21 said:
As many of you know, I am on the lookout for a new horse.
I have ridden and had weekly lessons for the last 9 years, rode my last horse on beach rides, hacking on my own, sj up to 2ft 3, although in lessons up to 3ft, competed prelim dressage, and done xc to 2ft 6.I trusted him with whatever we were doing.
But now looking for a new horse, I am considering myself as a novice, nervous rider. I know none of you know my riding, and once I know and trust the horse I would be much more confident. Do you think I would be ok looking at something that says not suitable for complete novices? When I see that on an ad, it just scares me!!!
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If you are doing all that you are not a complete novice.

I'd use a description such as competent but nervous rider..... A complete novice would probably not be established enough in all paces and jumping to do a 2ft6" xc course hack alone or ride on the beach.

Look for something that is described as a sane and sensible lower level RC type or along those lines. Something advertised as suitable for a complete novice is likely to be a plod as people expect that to be what novices want. You don't need something that can cope with someone bouncing around and jabbing them in the mouth as you are balanced enough not to do that, but you need something sensible and capable of doing the lower level competitions you want to do.

Bear in mind that you are probably riding above the level required for stage 1, so you could use that as a descriptor. When we have been looking at horses recently my instructor has used the BHS stages as a guide for describing how I ride. You could say something like "my instructor says my riding is of stage 1 level would your horse be suitable for someone of that level".

Good Luck in your search.
 
I don't think you should be scared to ring up "not suitable for complete novices" and ask them about the horse. OK some may have problems that you don't want to deal with but others may well have put that on to avoid their beloved nag going to a home where they will try to hack it out with it's boots on upside down or having borrowed a saddle because it's a saddle isn't it and will fit anything, or who will try to keep the horse in their back garden or any of the other myriad of things that one hears about.

You are an experienced owner looking for a sane and sensible horse. Most "novices" don't know enough to realise that that is what they want (or need). If the ad reads as though it's going to be what you want and says not for novices I'd definitely ring up and ask for further details.
 
Hello!
I would consider horses that are described as not novice ride - I think it very much depends on why they are not a novice ride. I am very much like you competent but can be very nervous on horses I don't know - I ride lots of 'not novice types' but know my limits and what makes me nervous.


Give them a call - you never know what little gems there could be in the not novice world!

Good luck
; o )
 
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