Hippotherapy

I started late?

Im 14 years old and im going to start taking riding lessons (jumper) this summer. I've worked around horses for a while (volunteering at a therapeutic riding stable) but ive never really taken lessons.. i know how to trot and canter but that's it! I really want to start showing... any tips to help me catch up over the summer?

Public Comments

1. Its not that easy to catch up, just ride every second you get! And eventually you will get better.
2. lessons and lots and lots of riding. Get into bareback, and it will force you to develop good balance and a good seat - just never use the reins to help balance.
3. The best thing you can do is just practice a lot! Sometimes watching other riders can help too...be sure to take notice of all the little cues...like how they are sitting, where their hands and feet are, etc.
4. Practice practice practice. Learn about horses and practice as much as you can. Try hard and you can do it. Hope it helps.
5. oh it's never too late! i started when i was 16 ( my parents wouldnt drive me to my lessons lol) just be passinate about it and no matter how hard it gets.. never ever give up! just go to a barn and tell them you want to train for show! good luck have fun!
6. It just takes time. You don't have to be a perfect rider to start showing. There are classes at shows for different levels of accomplishment. And, I know women who started riding in their forties and are quickly becoming very good riders.
7. I started out a year and a half ago right where you are starting at. Even though you know how to trot and canter, you're really going to have to work on equitation and the like, and do a lot of no-stirrup work. I'm glad you are planning on taking lessons, since you can't really see yourself riding, even if you do have a mirror. Even getting another person who is experienced in showing and equitation to watch you ride can provide you with tips and things to work on. You may also need to lease a horse, unless you're just going to do schooling shows at your own barn, then they can provide you with a mount. Also, just remember to have fun with it! If you are on a horse at a show who is just being absolutely terrible, just go with the flow and keep a sense of humor. I think it's great starting out with volunteering and such, since you get a lot of experience with groundwork and learning horse's mannerisms, you get more in tune with them rather than just starting out on top. You gotta work your way up :).
8. http://horsetips.com./
9. You are just 14, it's not to late to start anything. I'm 17 years old and i am starting to train horses.