Riding seems to be shrouded in some mystique. It shouldn't be! If it was explained clearly and logically, with the instructor being able to demonstrate the ideal seat on the horse, so that new riders have a mental image to store, then learning would be a lot easier, but often this is not the case.

All due credit to Mike for having the initiative to set up such a web site as New Rider. It is very much needed. I read some of the posts from members and inwardly groaned. Here were the same questions and problems that I came across when I first started teaching nearly thirty years ago. Things are no better. Take it from me, all of you beginners who feel so inept and hopeless- it is not you! It is the teaching system, or rather lack of it, that is at fault.

I have developed a system over the last thirty years, which is very simple and successful, and I want all of you to know that there is another way, one where progress can be rapidly achieved, making learning safer and much more fun, and creating so much less discomfort for the horse.

I am going to share with you the secrets of learning to ride, that I have built up, teaching hundreds of riders, of all shapes, sizes and abilities, from total beginners to Grand Prix and Olympic level riders. Mike has given me the go ahead to write some extra pages for New Rider, in the hope that we can create a forum for everyone who wants to learn to ride, giving you the best possible advice and tips. No rider should have to feel the humiliation that some of you have written of in your posts.

I am sure that there are many genuine instructors out there too, who really do want to help riders, but there are several factors, that most of them wouldn?t even be aware of, limiting their ability to do that.

The first of these begins on the next page and is the saddle.