Been riding a year - what next?

[kiwigirl]

Well following on from my last thread (please read)

Wanting some ideas for new challenges for my riding?

[Skib]

Cant tell you what you should do. Everyone is different. But in my second year of learning to ride these are some of the things I did.
The basics had been covered in Year 1. In year 2, I pursued the things that interested me.

I went on my first hack and then hacked every week.

I reverted to lessons at another school from a more advanced teacher.

I rode a lot of different horses - may be twenty during that year. Had the chance to ride in different tack - experienced a treeless saddle and bitless bridle.

I joined New Rider.

I went to the Natural Horse Gathering. Saw ground work for the first time, both Parelli and Monty Roberts style. I booked lessons to learn about handling horses -

I did the BHS Stable Management Stage 1 evening course of 16 sessions at the riding school.

Encouraged by that teacher, I began to read widely, especially about horse behaviour, Kelly Marks and Mark Rashid. And books on riding like Sally Swift and Heather Moffett.

By the end of year 2 I had begun to understand that there were different ways of riding and one could select the right way for both oneself and one's horse. Thanks to NR and Mary Wanless I began to differentiate good teaching from bad.

I began to have views on how I personally ride best? And on my own safety. Like the length of my stirrups.

In the second year, I was soaking up all sorts of information. My mind was open.
By the end of year 3, it was too late. I had become opinionated and prejudiced. One becomes wedded to the things that work. If horses respond well to a particular cue or style, that cements it into one's brain. You get set on the tack you like, the clothes you like, the horses you like. I found a classical RI who taught the way I liked and I have been with her ever since.

Year 2 is wonderful. All doors are open to you. Enjoy it.

[kiwigirl]

Thanks Skib, that was lovely to hear about your second year:)

[vonandiz]

Doesn't time fly? :D

I'm still 3 months off my first year and have one big goal for the next 6-12 months which is to be able to get my share horse walking and trotting well in a school without head tossing, planting, rearing or bucking.

If I was riding in a school I'd probably be concentrating on jumping.

The real big dream for me is to be able to do x-country (maybe in 5 years!).

I'd just see where things take you. Just keep having fun. :D

BTW are you still looking for a share?

[Meovcorz]

Wow that was really lovely to read Skib, I am coming up to me 2nd year (allright a few months off-end of January next year), and also my 2nd year off handling horses (closer end off Dec this year). Makes it sound good and exciting.

[wanabe]

Kiwigirl, would you list all the accomplishments you made in your first year? That way we can tell you what you could work on. :)

My 2nd year, BTW, was horrible. I made very little progress because of the horse I was on. I got where I almost dreaded asking for canter on him.

[kiwigirl]

Kiwigirl, would you list all the accomplishments you made in your first year? That way we can tell you what you could work on. :)

My 2nd year, BTW, was horrible. I made very little progress because of the horse I was on. I got where I almost dreaded asking for canter on him.

Wannabe, if you read an old thread of mine that I have just updated (we should I be in the next 6 months) that lists what I have accomplished.

[kiwigirl]

Doesn't time fly? :D

I'm still 3 months off my first year and have one big goal for the next 6-12 months which is to be able to get my share horse walking and trotting well in a school without head tossing, planting, rearing or bucking.

If I was riding in a school I'd probably be concentrating on jumping.

The real big dream for me is to be able to do x-country (maybe in 5 years!).

I'd just see where things take you. Just keep having fun. :D

BTW are you still looking for a share?

No I am not actively looking for a share but if the right opportunity came up I would probably jump at it. It seems very common for people to get a share in the Uk, that they can keep at a livery/riding school that has an arena and support - is that true? I haven't found anything like that here and I am afraid that a share for me would mean me and the horse by ourselves in a scary paddock:eek: Need to find some lovely mentor who could support me intially on a share....... I don't have the time or live in the right location to own my own.....lonterm dream is to have kids then look at a lifestyle block with some horsies:)

[wanabe]

What's the highest you jump? I would set 2' 6" (.75 meter) as a goal for this year. Perhaps learn about adjusting the horse's stride between jumps. (I haven't gotten into this yet.)

One thing I'm working on is switching from right lead to left lead and back in canter by dropping back to trot and doing that over and over. That's in preparation for taking multiple jumps requiring turns in either direction.

You said you can get the right diagonal -- can you get it without looking?