When it comes to being honest about our riding abilities it can be difficult to resist the temptation of making ourselves sound more experienced than we really are. Let’s face it, it’s human nature to always want to portray ourselves as better than we are, but when it comes to riding, and our ability to handle certain horses, saying less is usually more.
While I was searching for a clear definition of each riding level I came across a post by Digger’s Rest Station, out of Australia, titled “A Brief Guide To Horse Riding Ability Levels.” In the post they briefly describe each level of riding, as well as emphasizing how being honest about our riding abilities, and even understating them, is often the best approach to matching a horse and rider. I wanted to share their definitions with you, as well as give you an example by sharing an honest review of my present riding abilities. So let’s jump into the rider levels definitions!
Riding Levels Defined
The five riding levels that are listed in the Digger’s Rest Station’s post mentioned above are: “Beginner: A rider with limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
Novice: A rider who can mount and dismount unassisted, is capable of applying basic aids, is comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
Intermediate: A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces, including rising trot, two point canters, and gallops, but does not ride regularly.
Strong intermediate: An intermediate rider who rides regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
Advanced: All of the mentioned abilities, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and a desire to handle a spirited horse in open country.”
My Present Riding Level
Are you ready for that honest example I mentioned? My riding level is presently what I would call a beginner Novice. The last time I had the chance to get in a few more lessons I was becoming really comfortable at the trot, I just haven’t made it past the trot yet.
That is really hard for me to admit sometimes! After 8 years of working with horses, and trail riding almost every week for at least 4 of those years, with 6 months of lessons, I absolutely want to be able to say that I am a way more experienced rider than I actually am. When I began riding I had no fear, and I thought I would progress through the rider levels in no time once I started lessons. But as I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, my riding history hasn’t always made only forward progress. There has been a lot of forward, and backward motion in
the trajectory of my riding journey, along with the fact that most of my time spent with horses has been from ground level while working either as barn help, or as a groom, just so that I could be around horses.
Where Did I Go Wrong?
My goal has always been to reach the Advanced rider level, but for most of my years with horses I wasn’t willing to admit that I wasn’t the amazing rider that I thought, or was sometimes told, I was. Not necessarily because I didn’t have the ability, but because I kept getting on horses that were above my riding and confidence levels, due in part to a lack of guidance. I was new in the horse world, and I assumed that all of the horse people I worked
for knew best. However over the years I have discovered that not every horse owner, or horse for that matter, makes the best teacher for a beginner. Every time I got on certain horses I kept being set back, no matter how hard I tried to move ahead. It wasn’t until I was completely honest with a friend of mine who got me on a horse that matched my abilities, and my confidence level, that I was able to start making progress in my riding again.
Why Does Being Honest About My Riding Abilities Matter?
Being honest about my riding abilities helped me realize my current abilities, my goals, and where I went wrong along the way. It also means that when I start riding again I won’t make the same mistakes that were holding me back in the past. I’ve had to swallow my pride when applying for jobs where riding may be part of the job description, but ultimately I know that being honest about my riding abilities is what is going to be safest for me, and the horses I work with.
Now It’s Your Turn…
What is your present riding level? It may be hard to admit, but remember this, you aren’t admitting where you are now so that you can stay there. The fastest way to move forward, in any area of your life, is to come to an honest conclusion about where you are right now. Then once you have done that, you can chart out how you are going to get from where you are now, to where you want to be in the future.
Leave us a comment, and tell us what some of your riding goals are for the summer!
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