HI Spy: What are Your Riding Goals?

Riding instructors are often greeted by new students who proclaim at their first lesson that they dream of riding in the Olympics. Of course, a more realistic goal would be to try and win a local, regional or national medal. But there’s nothing wrong with lofty aspirations, right? Dreams are what compel us to climb back in the saddle even after a fall or a rough day. Only through determination and desire will we eventually jump that oxer, perfect the canter or remain calm when our horse spooks at the neighbor’s barking dog for the hundredth time.

As riders, we all aspire to reach some level of achievement. Often it’s a measurement of personal success, such as conquering the fear that comes after a riding accident or learning to be more pro-active in dealing with a horse’s aggressive behavior. Other riders seek more tangible rewards. They set their sights on winning a blue ribbon in an equitation class or qualifying for the finals at a year-end show. Finally there are the very practical goals that just need a little bit of fine-tuning to make them a reality. For example, an avid trail rider may be determined to get her hydrophobic horse accustomed to crossing water. A good dose of patience coupled with some wisdom from a veteran trail rider or a knowledgeable clinician will help her achieve that.

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So what is your goal? What’s the one thing that you dream of achieving as a rider? We’d like to know, whether it’s something connected to a particular horse or an aspiration you have as an individual. Share your riding goal with your fellow readers here at www.HorseIllustrated.com. Just click on Submit a Comment below.

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15 years ago

Cindy Hale

Cindy Hale’s life with horses has been filled with variety. As a child she rode western and learned to barrel race. Then she worked as a groom for a show barn, and was taught to harness and drive Welsh ponies. But once she’d taken her first lessons aboard American Saddlebreds she was hooked on English riding. Hunters and hunt seat equitation came next, and she spent decades competing in those divisions on the West Coast. Always seeking to improve her horsemanship, she rode in clinics conducted by world-class riders like George Morris, Kathy Kusner and Anne Kursinski. During that time, her family began raising Thoroughbred and warmblood sport horses, and Cindy experienced the thrills and challenges of training and showing the homebred greenies. Now retired from active competition, she’s a popular judge at local and county-rated open and hunter/jumper shows. She rides recreationally both English and western. Her Paint gelding, Wally, lives at home with her and her non-horsey husband, Ron.

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View Comments

Rachel says:
September 24, 2009 at 6:52 am
I really want to be able to have a warmblood and jump in the Grand Prix. But right now, I'm just trying to acomplish jumping 2'3!
Niki says:
September 24, 2009 at 10:29 am
I want to one day compete in the Madison Square Garden National Horse Show one day in dressage. Only right now, I'm still learning to perfect my canter...
Katie says:
September 24, 2009 at 11:03 am
My ultimate goal is to be as good a rider as one of my friends she is the best rider ever hands down. There is no one on the planet that can ride better than her. I am not kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
there never was & never will be
another rider as good as she
Lauren says:
September 24, 2009 at 11:54 am
I'm in college to major in Equestrian Science, so I have to take a riding class. Right now, I am in Fundamentals of Huntseat. I have been riding for 10 years, but I was forced to take a break last year, so my riding position is way off. So I want to be able to become a better rider than I was last year, & I hope that I will stop tilting my head while I ride!
myself says:
September 24, 2009 at 4:06 pm
My goal is to be able to...well....i guess be able to ride a horse that is my perfect match and be able to know how he is going to react..weird, huh? but that is my goal because we would be so in sync that i wouldn't have to worry about having my horse be forced to do something...just an opinion....
Caroline says:
September 24, 2009 at 4:20 pm
My riding goal is to know my horse. I would like to be able to ride my horse and stay calm when she spooks but I would also like to know what she spooks at and what scares her the most. I would love to ride my horse in a rodeo here in town or in other rodeos around the state. I would like to compete in pole bending, barrel racing, or the keyhole race. Winning is not one of my dreams (although it would be nice!), but having fun and getting to know my horse better is my main goal.
Jorie says:
September 24, 2009 at 5:43 pm
My riding goal is first, be able to my my faveorite horse Heaven. I would love to show her at the louisville Saddlebred horse show. I also would love to be able to canter Heaven in nearby fields. I lastly want to give Heaven the best life.
someone says:
September 24, 2009 at 7:44 pm
To succesfully canter.
K says:
September 25, 2009 at 4:29 am
To get a horse! :P
Deborah says:
September 25, 2009 at 8:35 am
Good article