Just have to share...Lessons

[daisyhorse]

I had my third formal lesson tonight! It went GREAT! This time I rode with another girl and we did some cavalettis and other obstacles. I feel so secure on this horse and I'm learning so much. Here's the thing, though. I've been riding a long time (over 20 years) but just for fun and I feel like I'm so behind in formal schooling at 27 years old. Most of the other girls at the barn are younger (12-18) there are some older but I haven't met them. My instructor says she has a 70 year old woman taking lessons! Anyways, these young girls are taking lessons 4 days a week and I can only get one lesson a week because of time and money. I am riding at least one other time a week now for practice but I don't know if that's enough. I want to get in the show ring as soon as possible but I don't know how long it will take. I will be doing hunter/jumper eventually but I'm just on ground work right now. How long has it taken you guys to get into shows? How often is everyone riding to get ready to do shows? If only I didn't have to have a job to pay the bills and my expensive horse addiction!

[FreedomStar]

well, for me I had already known stuff when I first started lessons, so about 5-6 months after that I went in my first show and got a 6th place in one out of two classes. Not bad considering my experience. But I only ride once a week, and the shows that I ride in are hosted by the place I take lessons at, and we use the school horses.

[mikka]

Hi daisyhorse, congratulations on getting back into riding! Glad to hear that your lessons are going so well.

A lot of schools will put on horse shows for people of all levels. Not sure if yours does. This is a good way to build up to the bigger league.

Like you, I rode for many, many years without instruction, had a few years in a school in my early-mid 20's, then returned to it again four years ago (I'm 47). I'm much older than you, but I do believe that folk who've ridden from an early age have a more natural seat - or, a seat that comes more naturally. You're young and you've had many years of riding, so it may not be long before you move out of school shows.

For me, the hard part was learning "rules". I'd always ridden with abandon, mostly bareback, and had a tough time getting into the swing of "correct position", etc. I can't blame it all on age, but I do think that I've had a harder time following protocol than the younger kids just starting out in schools. Sometimes it feels downright silly to put all that energy into this or that movement, when riding freely and uninhibitedly is so much more fun.

Good luck with your progess. Please let us know how you do.

mikka

[kedwards]

Hi Daisy, although hunter/jumper barns tend to have a pretty high proportion of kids and teens, you'll be surprised to see how many adults are out there. Many of them, like us, didn't start lessons until adulthood.

If you are anxious to get out there and show, you may be ready to show this summer. There are often "long stirrup" classes offered at hunter shows, which are strictly for adults and entail walk, trot, canter, and a small course of crossrails.

Have fun and keep us posted!