Am I progressing to slow in my riding?

T

Tiffany

New member
I have been riding for 13 months and I can still only go up to trot.

I know this is kind of slow, but is it too slow? I ride once a week. But I have missed probably 5 or 6 classes due to clinics being held and such.

So far I can do:
Walk.
Rising Trot
Sitting Trot (perfectly on some horses but not so good on others. Still not horribly though)
Jump seat (walk and trot)
Leg yielding (at walk, mostly at trot)
20 meter circles, figure 8s and Serpentine (walk, trot)

I've also rode a 8 different horses. A few of these have had minor issues (no bucking except my own horse, once) like trying to go the wrong way in corners, stopping randomly, fighting the bit, throwing there head disobeying commands,stuff like that, and I dealt with it pretty well almost every time. I can hold a horse back and know how to adjust it's pace at the trot.

I cantered once on this horse Hally, and it didn't go too well. I bounced too much but I didnt fall off. My instructor said it was actually okay for my first canter. After that horse left I rode this horse named Simon, and it was the first day I rode him, he broke into a canter three times. But when he did I stayed in my seat a lot better than last time even though it was only for 5 or 6 strides. So I think Icould sit a canteron a different horse because on Hally, I couldnt do the canter adn my sitting trot wasnt the greatest, but she has an extremly forward and bumpt stride. On this horse Crystal, I can do the sitting trot near perfectly. I could also do this greatly on this horse Zippy and the only time I rode her was when I was jsut starting out.

I know thats not much considering most people are cantering and jumping at 6-12 months, but I was wondering if you could give me any tips and tell me if Im going far beyopnd abnormally slow? lol.
 
Most idiots are cantering and jumping within 6-12 months, and quite frankly I think they deserve what's coming to them (a trip to the emergency room). Well, to be fair, it's not so much them as their trainers who should know better than to push them that fast. It really irritates me when trainers push their students too fast, they should no better than to take stupid risks like that.

You are progressing at the ideal pace. If you were moving much faster than that, you wouldn't have a good foundation. I know people who jump 3' who have no idea what a "serpentine" even is and will give you a confused look if you mention it. Talk about leg yields and they will give you a slack-jawed stare!

IMO you are getting the perfect foundation. Someday, you will be a far better rider than those people who are jumping after lesson number five... actually you probably already are!

These people who are jumping after 6 months are the ones who get featured on this blog:
http://community.livejournal.com/bad_riding/
They're bouncing all over the place, yanking on horses' mouths, and just generally being a pain in the butt to the poor horse who has to deal with them.

And I'm not just saying that to make you feel better or anything- I genuinely mean it! YOU are the type of rider that the world needs more of.
 
That's not that slow. Everyone progresses at their own pace. I'm sure if you had a horse that you rode every lesson more than once a week you would be farther along. Don't worry about it. Keep working on the fundamentals because when you get to the bigger things and shows it all comes down to fundamentals! Keep practicing, and ask to go further only when you think you're ready, not when other people tell you that you need to go faster. Good luck and have fun!!
 
Talk to your trainer, ask him/her if there is a reason that you are still doing walk/trot. Personally, I think you will be a better rider because of it. When riders are allowed to canter too early their equitation never quite reaches the "near perfection" point. Not to mention how cocky they get after they cantered during their 3rd lesson. Just keep believing in your self, and prove to your trainer that you are ready.
 
No, actually it sounds right. A lot of people are pushed too fast. You sound like your instructor is trying to develop your seat better before moving on. Trust me this is VERY important and can take lots of time if you are being shuffled about on different horses. Riding different horses can teach you a lot, but it's also good to stick with just one for a stretch while learning something particular. Ask for more work on the lunge so you can focus on your seat only at the canter before being on your own and having to worry about steering too. Also cavaletii is excellent for 'feeling' the horse's footing and hoof placement.
 
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