What makes a good rider?

[HORSE Mag]

We'd love to hear your views on the topic 'What makes a good rider?'

Is it confidence? Empathy? Kindness? Correctness? Competition results?

Please either PM, email victoria_spicer@ipcmedia.com, or reply below.

Thanks!

[BoolavogueDC]

I think a good rider is one who can stay on

[LEC]

A good rider has an infinity with horses, understands how to get the best out of them, has great hands and seat. Knows when kindness or discipline need to be used appropriately and horses go well for and want to please.

[HORSE Mag]

Lec - very well said!

And FestiveWinterFox –*also very true... but it is open to interpretation! Eg you could have a rider who could easily stay on despite any amount of bucks, rears, spins etc. And then there's a rider who can stay on at walk, trot and canter!

So is being 'good' the same thing as being 'experienced'?

[HORSE Mag]

'Okay' is the most popular answer so far.... Would love to hear reasons why!

[diggerbez]

i think that the best riders are ones who have sympathy and a kind approach-but they are also clear and firm with what they ask of the horse (so they'd rather give one huge pony club kick than constantly nag for example). i've always really admired mark todd as this sort of rider

[Sol]

I think a good rider is one who has a good understanding of all things related to horses for a start - after all, how can you really know that your riding well if you don't really understand the equipment you're using, how what you're doing influences the horse in terms of different disciplines, or how treatment of the horse may affect the way it rides. A good rider should also be open minded, and open to different ideas on how to look at problems, and how different people cope with different problems rather than just saying that their way is right - while they may prefer 'their way' I think that a good rider should at least be understanding of both other riders/trainers & other horses!
Also, I view a good rider as someone who is sympathetic, clear & consistent, and has good equitation! Because after all, actually looking the part & doing the job has to come into it somewhere!

I think it's hard to write a short answer for that sort of question - I could go on!

Personally, I'd like to think that I was a good rider (who wouldn't?) but I know that there are a lot of ways in which I could improve.

[charlimouse]

I think a good rider is someone who treats each horse as an individual. There are many different ways to achieve an outcome, a good rider will work with the horse to work out the best way to get to that outcome. It is like getting from point A to B in a car. If you have a sportscar you will drive on the roads, if you have a 4x4 you could go off road. A good driver would realise the sportscar may have problems if driven off road, so will use another means (the road) to get to point B. When i'm teaching I never just teach someone how to ride their horse, I make sure they know a plan a, b, c etc. Even if they don't need it for their horse, one day they might. A good rider therefore has to be quick thinking and inventive, and be intune with their horse. They must be willing to adjust their riding to the horse, not wait for the horse to adjust to them.

[BoolavogueDC]

I'm an 'okay' rider, no finesse to me, but Id like to think Im not doing anything detremental to the horse. I have lots of patience and good stick-a-bility which I think makes up for my idiocy in other spheres

[hedgehog1]

A good rider can ride different types of horse and let them go 'their own way' without intefering and still getting the best out of them without hassling or bugging them.

also great stickability, experience, endless patience, an ability to smile and try again when things go completley wrong without attacking the horse for it and a small ego!