My daughter and I started taking riding lessons at the same time. She was 18 and I was 44. She was Adult Reserve Champion Hunter in the local circuit the following summer. I didn't get any ribbions that year. While she was techinically an adult, my daughter was still young enough that she didn't have the typical problems older beginner riders have.
The biggest problem I had was that I was thinking about what I was doing too much and not just letting myself do it. I had a similiar problem when I tried to learn golf - I thought so much about my grip, swing, and position that I would almost freeze. I was stiff and tense and got frustrated quickly. Being on a horse like that is even worse because the horse senses your tension and becomes tense and worried also. I noticed that the school horse I was given was relaxed and cooperative when a young person was on his back, but when I was on him he either wouldn't move or he would try to run away with me. My trainer would joke that I should have a glass of wine before I came for a lesson - or maybe she wasn't joking! It wasn't that I was afraid of the horse (I hadn't fallen off yet), I just couldn't quit thinking about everything the trainer was saying and let my body take over. Now I can look back and see that I needed someone who either could relate to what was happening because she learned to ride as an adult or had experience with older beginner riders.
Which is what happened with my current trainer. Even though I had been riding for several years and had gone from hunter/jumper riding to Dressage, done a little bit of showing, and had overcome my fear of falling, she took me back to the basics and then I was able to progress much faster. At first she didn't say anything at all about my body position, hands, legs, etc., she just had me doing different things with the horse. She talked about keeping his rhythm the same in each gait, getting him to bend with small flexing aids, and kept me doing basic exercises like circles, leg yeilding, halt/walk transtions, walk/trot transtions, etc. This was on my Grand Prix schoolmaster, so this was all easy work for him and soon we were both a lot more relaxed together than we had ever been. When I asked her about why she didn't say anything about my hands, legs or seat she replied that she found that it was better if she didn't give riders too many things to think about at once and that often thoses things fixed themselves once the rider was able to relax and just go with the horse. As my riding has improved I have found that I don't usually need her to tell me anything about my body parts or postition - the horse does that!
I'm sure that some people under the age of 40 have had similiar problems but I think that most younger beginner riders haven't reached that "analytical" phase of their lives that seems to come on somewhere after 40. It is hard to turn off once it is turned on but being able to just feel the connection and have your body respond correctly and automaticaly is necessary in order to advance, especially in Dressage. When this happens you will discover that even though you are still analyzing the ride you are doing it through your body - how it feels - not with your mind - do this! do that! I still have a lot to learn, but I don't struggle with it so hard and I am more confident and relaxed. I have fun - like a kid!
The biggest problem I had was that I was thinking about what I was doing too much and not just letting myself do it. I had a similiar problem when I tried to learn golf - I thought so much about my grip, swing, and position that I would almost freeze. I was stiff and tense and got frustrated quickly. Being on a horse like that is even worse because the horse senses your tension and becomes tense and worried also. I noticed that the school horse I was given was relaxed and cooperative when a young person was on his back, but when I was on him he either wouldn't move or he would try to run away with me. My trainer would joke that I should have a glass of wine before I came for a lesson - or maybe she wasn't joking! It wasn't that I was afraid of the horse (I hadn't fallen off yet), I just couldn't quit thinking about everything the trainer was saying and let my body take over. Now I can look back and see that I needed someone who either could relate to what was happening because she learned to ride as an adult or had experience with older beginner riders.
Which is what happened with my current trainer. Even though I had been riding for several years and had gone from hunter/jumper riding to Dressage, done a little bit of showing, and had overcome my fear of falling, she took me back to the basics and then I was able to progress much faster. At first she didn't say anything at all about my body position, hands, legs, etc., she just had me doing different things with the horse. She talked about keeping his rhythm the same in each gait, getting him to bend with small flexing aids, and kept me doing basic exercises like circles, leg yeilding, halt/walk transtions, walk/trot transtions, etc. This was on my Grand Prix schoolmaster, so this was all easy work for him and soon we were both a lot more relaxed together than we had ever been. When I asked her about why she didn't say anything about my hands, legs or seat she replied that she found that it was better if she didn't give riders too many things to think about at once and that often thoses things fixed themselves once the rider was able to relax and just go with the horse. As my riding has improved I have found that I don't usually need her to tell me anything about my body parts or postition - the horse does that!
I'm sure that some people under the age of 40 have had similiar problems but I think that most younger beginner riders haven't reached that "analytical" phase of their lives that seems to come on somewhere after 40. It is hard to turn off once it is turned on but being able to just feel the connection and have your body respond correctly and automaticaly is necessary in order to advance, especially in Dressage. When this happens you will discover that even though you are still analyzing the ride you are doing it through your body - how it feels - not with your mind - do this! do that! I still have a lot to learn, but I don't struggle with it so hard and I am more confident and relaxed. I have fun - like a kid!
5 comments:
It is good you found a trainer who would work with you and make you more comfortable and less tense. That's a big part of the problem for us older riders. The right trainer is worth every cent you pay for a lesson.
I agree. I wish they were easier to find. A lot of trainers out there have been riding since childhood and really don't know what it is like to start as an older adult. I hope to be able to help others myself, but I want to get some certification first and I am looking at some options.
Thanks for your comments
I just found your blog through Grey Horse matters! It's wonderful. This post is terrific, and accurate. I am your age, have ridden since childhood and taught lots of lessons and I think you've nailed the adult learner situation on the head! Patrick is fabulous! I look forward to reading your blog often.
Thanks for your post. I recently started "stealing" my 13 yr old daughter's lessons while she is away at camp. While she is learning to ride Western, I really wanted to learn to ride English. I've had two lessons and have fallen in love with the ride. I am 39 and thought I must be crazy to finally be taking "official" lessons. (I had friends in high school who had horses.)
I have a long way to go, but you have inspired me to keep at it.
Thank you so much!!
Glad that you were inspired! And if you need further inspiration - I have earned my bronze and silver medal in dressage and am still working on having that Grand Prix horse!
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