Define a novice rider?

Question

Complete beginner? Had a few riding lessons? Been riding few years(3-10 yrs), ridden different horses, but not done much more than hacking and light schooling? Pony/Riding club rider?

This is an opinion, so tell me what you think! : )

Answer 1

I'd expect a novice to be able to walk, trot, canter and pop over some jumps. Below that is beginner.



In my opinion, most hobby / weekend riders are novice; they might be decent enough riders on their own uncomplicated horses or riding school plods - and sorry folks but I've never in my life seen a school horse of a high level - but they'd fall apart if given a horse with a bit more bounce and pizzazz.



Push-button horses will make a novice look and feel like a much better rider than they are - but if they can ride a range of different types and still look as good, then they're not novice any more. (And there are riders who are perpetual novices.)

Answer 2

I consider a novice rider one who is has started learning about horses and does ride but is still not quite coordinated in some of the cues or is nervous. Of course there are all kinds of definitions and there is a book called beginning western excersises and also one for the English rider as well and to pass from novice rider to intermediate they only have to start into a jog from a stop and jog a circle half the size of the arena then when they reach the point they started they are to continue in the other direction at a jog then stop at the same spot they started at. Basically riding a figure eight at a jog. It is harder then it sounds.

Answer 3

I would say a novice is someone who has ridden a few times or has had a few lessons. Maybe some trotting possibly cantering a bit... Knows the basics and that's it. But defining a novice depends on who you ask, where you're from and what kind of riding you do.

Answer 4

Some one who is not capable of the riding level his/her age should automatically enter.



Example: If there is a fifteen year old girl and she just entered horse competition for the first time, she more then likely does not have the required skill level to be in the senior group. You are a novice for one year.

Answer 5

Can range from complete beginner to can walk/trot/canter/jump - but not with much skill !! depends what the task is ie a novice on a hack would need to be led, but someone who can trot on their own may not be a novice !! argh i dont know !!

Answer 6

We know the person isn't an expert, so that leaves a total beginner and anyone in the middle is a novice or intermediate rider.

Answer 7

Someone who has a pretty good idea of what they should be doing but can't quite master it yet. Can walk, trot, canter and popp a small jump ( eg cavaletti) in the school. Can adjust stirrups and girth but still needs to be double checked.

Answer 8

Someone whos been riding for a while (and you idiots are REALLy mean about what you said can't mount correctly can't tell head from hinquarters that was REALLy rude!) can walk,trot.maybe lope while in control of the horse can groom correctly.



1.Beginner

2.Novice

________

________

_______

Answer 9

Beginner- under 2yrs of riding (should be riding for at least 2yrs), only done one discipline (jumping, western, english.. those are disciplines). has only taken lessons, never has done anything but lessons

Answer 10

um no a novice rider has just started can't canter gallop jump little trot not rite diagnals basicly a beginer

Answer 11

I'd be considered a novice if I tried english...I don't know the first thing about it...except what the saddle LOOKS like.

Answer 12

I'll say had a few riding lessons.

Answer 13

Someone who's been riding for over a year, can walk, trot canter by themselves, knows what things like "changing the rein" means and what the diagonal is and can jump 30cm jumps and over in trot and canter. And obviously be able to mount and dismount.

Answer 14

I aint really into horses much but i suppose you should define how good someone is with a horse on how fast they can go without falling off the horse!

Answer 15

begginer, probally had just a few lessons, ridden under a year.

Answer 16

someone just starting out, wanting to get into it but doesnt know alot about horses.

Answer 17

Someone who keeps falling off, or mounts the wrong way around

Answer 18

a novice rider is some one who has won less than 3 blue ribbions

Answer 19

Don't know the head end from the butt!