Can I still be a good horse rider?

Question

If I start horse riding lessons at age 16, and I have a weekly lesson, can I still be a good horse rider? I feel that all the good horseriders out there have their own horse and have been riding since they were 5.

Answer 1

Yes you can

Answer 2

I'm turning 14 this year. I've been riding for less than a year, and recently went to a dressage show and did 2 tests. 1 thaat I had memorized and a 2nd that I had never ridden. I did well, and that is like unheard of. If I'm able to continue the plan my trainer has suggested, I could be competing in Grand Prix by the time I turn 20. That's like, CRAZY!
so yes, you can become a GREAT rider. I don't have my own horse, but I do have a great trainer. Western riders do progress faster than English riders(well, it depends on the sport really, but in general). I would suggest 2 PRIVATE lessons a week. This seems like a lot? It's not. I ride almost every day. I work for saddle time! Cleaning stalls, and tack. See if you can do that for more lessons. Set up an " hourly wage" and mark your hours.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I feel if you really want to become a good horse rider then if you want it enough you can be. I have been riding for 2 years and i have learned so much. So just work and work, to even get to know the horses better i suggest you stay after your lessons and work around the barn so you have a feel for horse care to. Before i had lessons i read every book in the library on horses. i still am and i learn something new each day. But if you just go to your lessons each week and do nothing else with horses then it will be harder for to to reach your goal. Good luck!! I'm sure you will become an excellent rider!!!

Answer 4

OF COURSE YOU CAN! Not all horse riders have been doing that! I have been on and around horses for as long as I can remember but I just recently started taking lessons 2 times a week last August! I'm already jumping like a little over 2 feet! I'm 12 by the way! If you're 16 you'll be able to learn fast if you really want to accomplish this! YOU CAN DO IT! who knows you might ride in the Olympics someday! Good luck! and remember to always have fun! and try to leave all your emotions on the ground before you get on your horse! thats left me in some bad situations with my horse being a butthead because I get so frustrated! Good luck!

Answer 5

Of course. Listen to your instructor, ride a variety of horses in your lessons, read books and most of all, watch your instructor teach other lessons. Ask if you can observe from the center where she is teaching. As you watch, write down questions you may have about a particular correction or comment to another student. When your instructor realizes how much you want to learn and that you are serious she may allow you to help with the beginner riders after a while. I've been riding for 45 years and I'm still learning. Good Luck

Answer 6

Of course! My mom had lessons waaaaaay back when she was in her teens and then did absolutely nothing for years. So when she started again at 45, she was a beginner once more, and she's a great rider, and so is my step-dad, who didn't have any lessons ever before 46. If you can afford it, I'd definitely recommend getting your own horse so you can form a bond and work with him more than once a week.

If you're serious about the horse thing and do get a horse, I recommend using the Parelli Program (http://www.parelli.com), which is a spectacular natural horsemanship program that teaches you to communicate like a horse does and understand what a horse is asking of you. (For example, if you're doing some groundwork with a horse, like having him walk around you in a pen, say, and he looks at you, that means he's asking you a question. "What should I do now?") Look online for a free printout of their Seven Games, which will teach you and your horse at the same time who's in charge and how to talk nonverbally, since horses rarely use vocalised sounds in the field, relying more on body language.

Answer 7

When I was your age, I was teaching kids how to ride horses in one to two months. In three months I can get them riding bareback. It all depends on the teacher... and the student.

Many teachers want you to keep coming back, so they go at a heck of a slow pace and don't build the correct confidence in you.

This is just for casual riding. If you're talking barrel racing, etc. then that's another story.

And no matter what the sport or learning is.. if you love it and live it, it will happen quicker than you realize. I started a musical instrument at age 13.. surpassed all students in my middle school in three weeks of private lessons.. I did really well.. but I also practiced three to four hours a day!

Live it. Love it. It will become natural in no time.

P.S. Even if you aren't taking lessons.. go to the horse stables and bring the horse treats.. spend time brushing him/her. You will have a best friend and they will trust you. Trust is the key with horses. Love them and they will love you back *most of them* :)

Answer 8

You can be an excellent rider. How well you ride is determined by how well you're taught, how much you pay attention, and how dedicated you are. I've seen better riders who start out later in life IF they're trying hard to learn.

Just stick with it! You'll get there.

See if you can get an extra lesson or two a week to help build muscles. Maybe offer to do work around the barn in exchange for the extra ride time?

Answer 9

If you want it badly enough and work at it you can excell. Many have not owned their own horse or ridden early. Some begin riding in their 30s!! Or later. Do not give up. Remember too that many can sit on a horse and look good but aren't HORSEMEN. They couldn't saddle their own horse or tend to a cut or other things that are just as important if not more so than riding. Learn as much off the horse as on - you'll go a long ways. ;-) You can do anything you put your mind to doing and work at it.

Answer 10

yes u can! I feel the same way! (even though i am 13) My lil sis who is a year younger was better than me becuase she had a natural better seat and posture than me and she wasn't into horses or horse back riding and i who loved it had a horrible seat and posture from years of playing GBA. I gained confidence and become a better rider than her just because i stopped listening to her talk about how good she is and forgot about it and gave 110% to my riding lessons and studing up on horse back riding! (plus she stopped taking lessons but that is not the point) If you c other riders that are more advanced than you try studing them. And try to copy what they are doing. For example look at how they sit on the horse and if they have good posture try to sit like they sit and practive siting straight all the time. BEST OF LUCK TO U!!!

Answer 11

YES!!!!

By putting in the time & the hard work, you may become a BETTER rider than those with theire own horse. By riding many different horses, you will ultimately get more experience in the long run.

I know of many owner/riders who can only ride their own horse - they cannot ride another horse well-- to used to their own!

Find a good instructor, set realistic goals for yourself, and have fun!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!