Question:
What riding level am I at right now?
2013-04-07 08:05:48 UTC
I have been riding for 2 years and a few months now and can walk, trot, canter and jump efficiently and well. I can do things such as (10m, 20m, etc) circles, (3 & 4) loop serpentine's, figures of 8 and shallow loops in both trot and canter. I can also do different changes of rein properly. I can trot without stirrups and can also canter without stirrups on a smoother horse. I can trot and canter in jumping position and go over trot and canter poles. I can also ask for a shorter or longer stride in trot and canter with poles and change my diagonal. I can slow down the trot with my rise and steer in and out poles while staying straight. I have tried doing square turns but have still to improve a lot in that aspect. The highest I have jumped is 80 cm on it's own but I have jumped a 65 and 70 cm straight course. I can easily go over 50 cm straights and cross poles/x-rails. I have yet to do cross country. My confidence right now is probably 7 out of 10 because I've fell off a lot in a short period of time (I have fell off around 10-11 times in total over the two years). My confidence is building up slowly again thankfully. I have galloped once or twice and had no bother at all with it but obviously need to practice and do it more often to officially say I know how to because I haven't done it enough.

Obviously there's always room for improvement but I'm a pretty decent rider. My overall position is decent (my hips are in line with my heels/ankles and I have a straight line from my elbow to the horses mouth usually).

What level do you think I am?
I personally think I'm novice as I know I've not been riding long enough to be intermediate but yeah. Thanks.
Three answers:
2013-04-07 10:17:36 UTC
You sound like you're doing a great job. I think you're a novice.
Lauren
2013-04-07 17:56:22 UTC
I would say you are an advanced novice. Give it a couple more years and really expand your riding abilities and I think you will easily earn the name of intermediate :)



And keep in mind, a real rider falls off every now and then. You can't get better without making mistakes! Good luck and more importantly have fun!
Susie
2013-04-07 16:20:52 UTC
I would probably say novice.


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