Comments on: Rider Insider: Becoming a Real Rider

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:58:38 +0000

I think I became a real rider the first day my horse ever stood for the farrier without being tranquilized or ear twitched. It took two years of training, every day.

By: Erin

Erin — Sat, 31 May 2014 16:06:59 +0000

The moment when I felt like a real rider came about three years after I started riding. During those first three years, I understood go and whoa, I could make a horse walk trot and canter, jump, and I could perform several figures and lateral movements. However, I didn’t fully understand the essence of dressage (my primary discipline). However, in the summer of my third year of riding, it clicked. I understood the concept of being on the bit, and the idea of rounding up your horse and driving him in to a soft contact with your hands by using your legs. I knew exactly what part of my body to use and when to use it to get the results I wanted. Horseback riding became more than just pointless maneuvers, but a true art.

By: Magda

Magda — Wed, 14 May 2014 18:44:22 +0000

My greatest goal as an equestrian has always been about the bond between horse and rider. Every time I feel the bond between myself and the horse that I ride grow, I know that we’ll do better in the arena with communication and working as one, but most importantly, we’ll have more fun. Every time I see the trust in my horse’s eyes, I know I have taken a step in the equestrian world, and gained a friend for life.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:29:36 +0000

I felt like a real rider when I got back on a horse after a broken vertebrae in my back (not riding related) after two years of healing and not riding in those two years, and even after 11 years of riding, I knew that was when I became a real rider, and I again felt like a real rider when I decided that even though my trainer told me I was one of the better riders at this barn, that I didn’t belong there, and found another barn to perform for.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 00:54:34 +0000

I feel like a real rider when i finally was able to trust my horse and listen to him and let him teach me what he knows. He is the experienced member of our partnership and i finally allowed myself to learn from my amazing horse, and what a teacher he is. I have improved so much this past year because of he has has taught me.

By: Ariel

Ariel — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 11:05:07 +0000

For me personally, becoming a real rider starts first on the ground. Knowing and understanding how much physical labor, dedication, and knowledge that goes into horses helps you to be more grateful for them and that for me shows that you are a real rider.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 17:08:48 +0000

For me, it has been working with a Tennessee Walker mare to Parelli train her. She has thrown a few other people because she changes directions quickly, but she always calms down and listens to me and makes me feel like I can really make a difference in working with her.

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 05:42:36 +0000

I have always been a horse person, but it wasn’t until I was adopted by this beautiful, older gelding who was unridable. He had special needs and care due to the abuse and his age. I came to understand riding is second in owning a horse. Because of him, I have friends who have adopted rescues and I was a second time adopted by a beautiful but yet abused, neglected blind mare who has become a rare horse that is willing to carry me anywhere because of trust we have with each other. I earned my stripes with both of them, they taught me to understand the world these horses lived in and how I needed to make their world safe and secure.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 16:24:28 +0000

Until I actually get a horse then I won’t truly feel like a real horse-person. But jumping my first jump this year in August at a horse camp did make me feel more like a true rider.

By: Frances

Frances — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 14:33:22 +0000

owning my first real horse has made become a true horsewoman inside and out, and although I have not fallen off ten times, (at least I think not!)and I have yet to master the gallop, I will always have the heart of a true horse-lover!