im 13 and i have a horse. i have been riding for 7 yrs. and am showing in beg. eq.!!! how can i get better?!?!
2006-10-19 13:30:36 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Lots and LOTS of good old fashioned PRACTICE!!! If you can afford a riding instructor, that would be a BIG help.
In the mean time, be sure to have a mirror or if you don't have a mirror available have someone video tape you as you ride and put your horse through it's paces so you can see what you and your horse are doing right as well as wrong. This way you'll be able to correct anything you're not comfortable with and improve what you see that you're on the right track with.
The thing I LOVE about horses is that you can NEVER be a "perfect" rider or know all there is to know about them!!! It's a GREAT challenge to learn everything you can throughout your life about them.
2006-10-19 13:41:05 · answer #1 · answered by x_southernbelle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm 17 and have been riding 7 years... one thing I've noticed is that riding is NOT like gymnastics. That means that starting earlier doesn't always mean you'll be fantastic. When you are five or six or seven, two years of experience is the equivalent of less about a year or so for someone who started at, say 10, 11, 13....
My suggestion, hire a trainer, and don't focus on showing... focus on becoming the best horsewoman you can be, and think of showing as just one more fun thing you can do with your horse, like going on the trial, jumping or riding bareback. Make sure you get your basics down, it will help you later. Also, do alot of bareback riding, have someone put you on a lunge line so you can ride with no hands. Try hands on hips, out to the side, etc. Bareback, no hands, and no stirrups help with your confidence and your seat. And trust me, there is nothing harder to get that a truly goo seat, and nothing you need more. You can't fake it buy it, or take a short cut. I'm trying but I'm not there yet. Not many people have truly good seats, but those who do almost NEVER come off. All the really, good riders hav great seats, and thats somthing to get now, before you find out you need one, but will have to go back to basics for a year.
2006-10-19 22:26:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ignore that Livi person, please! What kind of equitation are we talking here anyway? Seeing yourself ride does help so video tapes are very helpful. When I was competing I forced myself to do all the most difficult exercises ONLY when practicing. I'd drop my stirrups, ride with long reins, never do a posting trot, etc. In the event a judge asks you to do this it becomes very obvious who has practiced and who hasn't. I also learned a lot about equitation/dressage by watching olympic riders. It's one thing to have someone explain a sitting trot to you and and quite another to actually watch someone doing it. It really does boil down to practicing all the time though. Not only does this make you a better rider but you and horse become a better team. A trainer isn't required but it really does help to have someone to be able to spot areas you could improve on.
2006-10-19 23:15:22 · answer #3 · answered by puremynx13 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am also 13, but have not been riding for 7 yrs. My horse is grenn and I have found that joining local groups, and/or going to open arenas just to ride has helped me with my horse. Also, reading books now and then on training and horse mentalities helps me try to understand how best i can help my horse get better.
2006-10-19 20:43:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just keep riding! If you have an instructor you will go a lot farther in your abilities. Watch videos of other riders, attend clinics on your chosen discipline. If you can ride other horses then do so. We tend to get comfortable with our own horses, riding other ones will show you where your weak spots are.
2006-10-19 20:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
try to get a trainer, but if u cant, then u can buy a book oin equitation, or on riding skills or something, or mabye if you know someone that is a good rider, then ask them for help.
also, do your legs swing when you ride?
here are some tips: squeexe youre lower leg and thigh, keep your hands low, and if your hands goi up when you post, then keep your pinky finger around your horses mane,
keep you eyes up, your back straight, elbows at your side, and if you are having trouble with sitting up straight when you post, just imagine yourself being pulled up by a string.
email me so i can give you direct help, im 13 too!ive been riding for 5 years.
good luck , i hope ill help u!
2006-10-19 22:00:18 · answer #6 · answered by dani 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Practice a lot...the better you get to know your horse and the better your horse gets to know you the better you overall performance will be.
2006-10-19 21:08:55 · answer #7 · answered by ram_this911 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
take lots and lots of riding lessons in multiple disciplines, from different instructors. when you show, after the class ask to see your scorecard and try to make improvements on what the judge has critiqued
2006-10-20 01:33:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
just take more risks if you never try you will never know what you can do so just try your best by entering in one of the shows...if you are afraind your horse is not good enough or will get hurt ask your local trainer or if you dont have one hire one
2006-10-19 20:36:02 · answer #9 · answered by gothgirl990@yahoo.com 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
wow you suck i have been ridding like 3 years, i dont have a horse and im in 3'6 jumper circets and i get like champoin everytime
2006-10-19 22:29:24 · answer #10 · answered by livers 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋