mature working pupils?

[summerguest]

Has anybody out there done their BHSAI in later life?
I'm over 40 and worried about being a working pupil with all the 18 year olds, but finding it hard to finance the amount of lessons needed to get my riding to stage 3 standard ( failed it once already!) Any ideas?

Would be interested to hear from mature riders that still enjoy jumping 3 ft plus too. I'm nervous now as got back problems.

[Sparkie]

I haven't, have only done Stage 1, but I think this is in the wrong place! if you post this again in the Exam Training and Careers section, you may get a few more people.

Hope that helps!

[Est]

Hi summerguest :) If you pm a mod and ask them to move this to the exam forum or the mature riders forum you'll get more people reading it.

I'm in a similar situation to you - I'm 29 and booked in for stage 1 this October. I'm going to work my way through the stages to BHSAI which at my standard of riding could take a long time ;)

More and more people are starting to look at the exams later in life. I recently did 2 weeks work experience at a RS during a holiday from work (unusual at my age anyway!) and they had just taken on a 40-something woman as a working pupil. She was funding herself through the stages having taken a career break once the kids had flown the nest. She said it was the first time in her life she'd been in a situation where she could afford to lose her proper salary. I think this is becoming an increasingly common way of thinking about it. No one thought she was odd, in fact the other staff (even the yard manager) seemed a lot more prepared to listen to her and take her seriously.

Have you already got the PTT? If so, you might find some clients (as you log your hours) would be happy for you to school/exercise their horses for them. It's all extra hours in the saddle.

Do you think that nerves because of your bad back could be a reason for your riding not progressing as you hoped? You might find that some lateral thinking helps to find ways to remove any mental barriers - NLP, visualisation, Bach flower remedies, Alexander Technique/Pilates/Yoga, a few dismounted or mounted clinics with someone like Joni Bentley, a Fizz course etc. My RI always says that 90% of our riding is done in the mind and she's absolutely correct!

Good luck and let us know how you get on :)

[eml]

Yes I started after 40 and went through to BHSI in stable management...chickened out of Stage 4 and I riding as too old and stiff to ride strange horses around serious courses or XC.

As an RS owner I have had older working pupils who have passed stable management parts easily but tend to struggle with the level of suppleness etc required for riding...oh and they were the best employees out!

[summerguest]

Thanks for your replies...I'm new to this website stuff....I thought I'd posted it in the mature rider section!

Yeah I've done the PTT so may look into the schooling clients horses etc, tho don't fancy hitting the deck too often at my age!

I've done the stable management stage 3, its the riding I'm struggling with.
As one you mentioned...suppleness is a problem! Every lesson I'm told I have a stiff shoulder/pelvis,back....depends how I got out of bed on what part is stiff I think! (I am female so not being rude!)

Perhaps I will just have to get over any embarassment and go for the working pupil thing.It's wierd working alongside people the same age as your children! I suppose all the work will help with fitness and weight loss!