[Zooperdee]

I was thinking the other day how me and my trainer are completely different 'kinds' of riders. She's the type of rider who expects perfection on whatever horse she's riding. She's also very get-on-and-go!, where as I work up to a point where the workload is greatest. So, I thought it'd be cool to ask HGS.. what kind of rider are YOU?

I'm a good rider-- I really think I am. I'm proud of what I've done and I'm pretty dang confident in myself. I've got soft, forgiving hands. My trainer is always telling me how I have to be stronger. Especially with Woody, I need to get in his way. I like to make my horse work for me, not have to work for them to keep them moving and to keep them looking nice. I do expect a horse who is willing to work-- they will be pushed. I also don't like riding horses who rely on the rider for support... who need to be 'held' together. I expect my horse to do his fair share of work and I'll do my own. It's hard with Woody, though. He needs to be held back, but not together. It's a balancing act! A good ride for me is a ride where my horse has responded well, I was able to work my best, too. My rides consist of the horse being able to allow me to work to my full workload, not a horse who makes me do things for him. With Woody, again, he's green to jumping. He's an ex-saddleseater (as many of you know) and it's different with him. I like trying different ways to do things in my ride, if one way doesn't work, another. It's like teaching a kid long division-- if one way doesn't work, ya try another. And you keep trying. That's how I want my rides to be.

[kmdstar]

Hahaha you sound like me!

Give me a hot horse anyday and I can get something done with it, but a lazy horse? NO just no! LOL

[Taihoa]

I am an effective, but not a pretty rider. I expect perfection from myself and expect my horse to respond accordingly (poor them!) I have a soft hands and seat, but stick like glue and am happy to sort a horse out no matter what if that is what it takes. I love young horses and bore easily with school masters - I like seeing young horses achieve something each day, even if it is only small.
Nothing frightens me, not any horse, or jump. Having said that, I'm not completely stupid and won't jump something that is utterly dangerous or ride a horse that may just break my neck (well not straight away :P ).

[Jim_in_PA]

Every ride is a learning experience and opportunity for both horse and rider. There is never perfection, but there can be accomplishment and moving up to new challenges. When I ride I try to "do better" than the last ride and try to help the horse do the same.

[AllInCommand]

Originally Posted by Taihoa

I am an effective, but not a pretty rider. I expect perfection from myself and expect my horse to respond accordingly (poor them!) I have a soft hands and seat, but stick like glue and am happy to sort a horse out no matter what if that is what it takes. I love young horses and bore easily with school masters - I like seeing young horses achieve something each day, even if it is only small.
Nothing frightens me, not any horse, or jump. Having said that, I'm not completely stupid and won't jump something that is utterly dangerous or ride a horse that may just break my neck (well not straight away :P ).

Everything she said sums me up 100% exepct I am a pretty Rider as well. I have great Eq no matter what the horse has thrown me; in our last lesson my trainer stated "If there was every a Bronco Rodeo based on who looked the prettiest while their horse went nuts; you'd be Champion." I don't try it. It just comes naturally. Haha. I also don't bore with schoolmaster, I learn something new from them everyday but love my greenies more.

[alaskahorse]

Ditto Jims post. I am always trying to communicate better, and help my horse preform better. Be it on trails or in the arena. I prefer a horse that is light and responsive not dull and sluggish. I do realize that some horses are naturally quieter and more mellow which can be enjoyed also as long as they have not been dulled and be taught to ignore the person up on top..I ride with light hands and a quiet seat and I try to keep my legs quiet unless I am asking for something. I prefer a higher energy horse over a super mellow horse, tho they all have their purposes. I guess I just like them all. Love working with youngsters or unbroke older horses..

[Babeesgirl]

I like to ride a horse with a challenge in there mind but not to hot not to pokey or lazy. I can handle young horses but if there spooky or rear or buck i get scared lol. But I am okay with horses that are wanting to go a little fast

[FutureVetGirl]

I'm not quite a "control freak", but I'd rather a controlled and well-rounded, well performing horse than a speed demon.

That is one of the reasons that I am considering dressage over something like barrel racing.

I don't like to go fast, but I do like a controlled speed. One where I'm not feeling as though the horse is going on without me, but the horse and I are still working together as one. And... if I can do that while speeding around barrels... then there you go.

[Eventer98]

I'm a pretty effective rider, but not a pretty one. It takes a lot to throw me, but I'm never going to win an eq class lol. I tend to be pretty businesslike with horses; I want them to do their job to the best of their ability without a lot of dramatics. I like fast horses I do very well with sensitive or smart horses, but I have difficulty with stubborn ones because I try to "outstubborn" them. I also don't do well with dumb or lazy horses. Needless to say, I love TBs and hate drafts

[CDpursuit4]

I am a effective rider with soft hands and strong seat and legs. My trainer said i have natural feel which many riders work hard to get. I can ride all sorts of horses but my forte was hot or nervous horses. She could always put me on the horses that needed help with slowing down. I do not think of myself as a pretty rider but i am very hard on myself. In fact if it wasnt for my trainer I would probably not say nice things about myself. She told me the other day she still talks about me to her students which made me smile. I wish i had a better attitude about myself and my riding though.