What would you define being a novice rider?

Vikki89

Vikki89

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After reading someone elses post it got me thinking.
If someone asked me if i was a novice rider etc. I wouldn't really know what to say.
I have been riding on/off at riding schools since i was 7, got our first horse (Mollie) to share (mum and I) when i was 18 (3 years ago) turned out she was difficult to handle sometimes but have over come that now, i then had a horse on loan who had to go back, I then rushed into buying a horse who turned out to be not as advertised and was sold, I now have Mystic who i had on loan for a year and have just bought him, have weekly lessons, jump up to 2ft 9, did local shows last year jumping and 1 dressage, hack alone and in company. Also have Monty who is 3 and i am planning to back myself, have had him for nearly a year and a half.
So what would you class as being novice etc?
 
I agree with king charles, someone that has learnt how to ride the basics and can ride at all paces and even jump, however they lack experience and sometimes confidence.
 
Impossible to say, there are so many levels. From beginners having their first lesson at the riding school right up to the other end of the spectrum where you'd put someone like Mary King! Also, the learning and the lessons should never stop. Even those at the top of the sport still have trainers.

There are many, many levels and there's a pony/horse out there to suit most of them.

Having said that, a horse advertised as a 'not novice ride', usually means that it is either sharp, spooky, strong, or has a buck or another unpleasant habbit, so the rider needs to be balanced and confident enough to be able to ride it safely and calmly through these issues.
 
To me a novice is a person who lacks knowledge, understanding and sometimes confidence in both horse care and riding, because in my experience, the two tend to go together. A novice also tends to not be overly skilled also, but equally some more experienced riders lack skill in their riding. It's a very delicate balance! :p xx
 
I'm a novice.

I've been riding for just under 2 years, and the first 18 months were all weekly lessons. I can walk, trot, canter and, on occasion, jump tiny poles. I've had a horse on loan since March and have learnt so so much, but am still constantly asking questions about basics.

I would view an non-novice (is that the right term?!) as someone who can ride confidently and knowledgeably, who is balanced, and can cope with the unexpected. They will know about horsecare - essentially they will be the sort of people I go for advice about things like "do you think she needs her fly mask on?" "how do I pull her mane?" "What are these lumps on her neck - has she been bitten?" "do you think I should try another bit?"... and other endless questions!!!
 
I would class a novice as someone who can walk/trot/canter/jump small jumps on there own but need more direction when it comes to schooling/what tack to use/caring apart from the obvious mucking out ect. Also someone who looses confidence when a horse does something unexpected or is more forward thinking than others.
 
I once heard a well known trainer define a novice as being a person that hasn't built up a toolbox of knowledge/techniques to use when something other than the normal pops up.

Sort of made sense to me.
 
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