Bit disheartened...

[Berry]

Hi!
Just wanted to know I'm not the only one feeling like this - hopefully...
Have been riding since last March (did some walk and trot as a kid but not much) and am aiming to do some RC dressage and jumping. Only really started to progress at the beginning of this year when I got to ride a friend's horse.
Can jump a little 2 foot 3 course (with the odd runout and a lot of nerves) and dressage movements (but not in an outline yet despite my best efforts :( )

Saw some photos of myself and I do get all tense when I know that's happening but I thought I looked awful - shoulders hunched, heels up... and over the jump I was standing up in the stirrups rather than folding. Really disheartened me. I have been doing a lot of jumping recently and feeling comfortable over the fences but I really don't seem to be getting my position right. Not sure though how much of that was nerves about the photos though.

Don't have access to an instructor unless we take the horse out and over to someone else's and can't afford private lessons at the RS near where I live, and horses there are not good.

Not sure what to do cause I really really want to improve and I feel like I should be doing better for the time I've been riding for. :( I am really nervous about competing and although I definitely want to do it I don't think I'll feel ready for a long time, longer than I would like. Feel like I take my riding too seriously by setting all these goals for myself instead of enjoying it.

Don't really know what the point of this is - suppose I was wondering how
1) I can improve my flatwork and jumping position without much instruction being available, and
2) if anyone can console me about my feelings of not progressing! I get really upset if I feel that I haven't achieved something every time i ride and I think I get far too stressed about it!!

[eventerbabe]

lessons, lessons and more lessons i'm afraid, i've been riding 19 years and still have lessons to this day. If you are tense that will go straight through to your horse. would it be possible to get an RI out to teach you at your yard? someone who's maybe freelance or willing to travel? it's amazing how quickly you progress under an RI's beady eye :)

EDIT: just noticed you are in scotland. if you are in aberdeenshire i can recomend a superb instructor :)

[XxTraceyxX]

I agree with Everterbabe it takes alot of practise and hardwork but its worth it in the end. Why don't you try typing Freelance teachers into google and see if anything comes up???

Good Luck! :D

XxTJxX

[sheryl]

Berry, don't get disheartened. Learning to ride well is unfortunately not like learning to drive a car. It takes an awful lot longer. It is a skill that takes many years to fine tune, and even then you are still learning all the time. I have been riding for 30 yrs and I could still do with lessons. The secret is practice, practice, practice. Try to get some lessons to get started on the right track, and then spend all the time you can in the saddle.

Too many people think that they can learn to ride overnight, they then get disheartened and end up giving up. It really is a matter of hard work, persistence and dedication. The more you put in, the more you get out.


I'm sure it can't be easy learning as an adult either. We become too safety consious, and are all too aware that we don't bounce like we used to!
I would say that your doing really well to be jumping a course if you have only been riding again for 5 months. Perhaps you have set your goals too high. Slow down, don't worry about shows for now. Just enjoy riding:)

[Berry]

Thanks for all the comments, sheryl you have put my mind at rest a bit!

Have just been looking for freelance instructors, eventerbabe unfortunately I am not in aberdeenshire but thanks anyway!

Like I said there is a lady who is apparently really good that does lessons nearby, although you have to take the horse to her. Unfortunately I will be going back to uni so only able to ride at weekends :( which might be a problem. Also a bit strapped for cash as a student... like I said not that impressed with local RS near my uni but I'll go back anyway if I can.

There are a lot of experienced riders at my yard but none of them are qualified instructors, one does give lessons but she's not too good. :( Maybe better than nothing though.

I think I really need lessons at least once a week but I genuinely don't think that 'll happen.

If I got my dad to film me riding more often it would probably help a bit but I just see all my bad points!

[eventerbabe]

Have you a university riding club you could join, just to keep you ticking over? ours runs lessons every week for begginer, novice, intermediate and advanced level. think they are about £10 an hour so not too expensive as lessons go.

[Berry]

eventerbabe I did join in 1st year but at that point there was no indoor school and lessons were outside all through the winter - hard to put your heels down when you can't even feel them...:D With the social aspect there was a little clique of people on the 'team' but apart from that everyone was really nice.

Haven't been past 2 years cause the timing isn't good for me as you have to meet at 5pm.

Depending on the timetable this year I might look into it again, however there are always a lot more people (about 100?) than lessons available - there are 2 a week, beginners max. 4 and intermediate/advanced max. 10 so it's really first come first served and you'd have to be quick! I wouldn't know which lesson to join though - what about novice!

Will def. consider it again this year though if timetable allows.

Your club sounds a lot better than mine though.

[sheryl]

When you're riding in the school, on your own or whatever, try to do as much work as you can without stirrups. Even just in walk and trot. It will probably make your legs ache like hell, but does wonders for your balance, position and seat. Try to be as relaxed as you can through your body, that way your body absorbs the bumps rather than making you bounce up and down. Get your Dad to video you when you've had a bit of practice. You'll probably be amazed how good you look!
Let us know how you get on x