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What level of Rider Am I? Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced??

77K views 88 replies 42 participants last post by  Palomine 
#1 ·
So, I would like to know which level of rider I am... here are some details..

I am 13 years old.
I have been riding for approx.5 years now. The last 2 years have been alot more serious.
I have never been to shows before.
I ride english pleasure mostly... bit of western here and there.. bit of jumping
I take lessons every week.

Here is what I know how to do::

Walk:
- side pass
- collected
- extended
- bending
- serpentines
- figure 8's
- 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m circles

Trot:
- collected
- extended
- bending
- 2-point
- figure 8's
- serpentines
- side pass
- 10m, 15m, 20m circles
- rising trot

Canter:
- collected
- extended
- bending
- 2-point
- figure 8's
- 15m, 20m circles
- knows right lead

Jumping:
- cross rails (two point) cantering
- ground rails (two point) cantering
- 2 ft. (two point) cantering

Western:
-spins on forehand, honches


Other:
- halt
- half-halts
- back up (turn, line up between poles)
- learning to open gates
- tack up with no help, I help my friend alot :P
- Knows horse care (have owned one before, and from trainer)

So, what level rider do you think I am?

I have also rode horses that are not suitable for beginners.

Beginner? Novice? Intermediate? Advanced? What do you think??

Thanks in advance for anyone who replies :)
 
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#2 ·
hmmm well, sounds like you know quite a bit. A good advanced horse owner I think also has time on their side, however that is not always true. I would say you are between a novice and intermediate. Again, I think advanced comes with more experience with different problems and knowing every aspect of horses including the market, showing, training, ect.
 
#4 ·
Hmm, well just as Jillyann said, it is as how well you do it, i am also 13 and have been riding for 4 years,and have had 2 horses already, and I am nowhere near experienced, you can never know everything about horses. i would say probably novice-intermediate :)
 
#5 ·
Well.. I dont really know how I am supposed to describe how well I can do everything :P lol... but I could try....

here goes.. lol..::
Walk:
- side pass--- bending to inside, legs on, I am working on keeping her straight,, she likes to swerve off
- collected--- I can do this easily the right way :P
- extended--- I can do this easily :P
- bending--- have been practicing for approx. 3-4 months now... getting pretty good at it
- serpentines--- have done this for a VERY long time, can do it right :)
- figure 8's--- about 1.5 yrs practicing.. on and off.. pretty good.
- 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m circles-- easy as pie :)

Trot:
- collected--- correctly:)
- extended--- sometimes needs an extra push to get her going on extended, but works well across long stretch of arena
- bending--- bends to the inside, for some reason i am alot better bending at the trot than at the walk ;)
- 2-point--- learnt about a year ago.. havent been doing it much.. sometimes need extra pointers
- figure 8's--- pretty well
- serpentines--- mhmmm
- side pass--- so so. lol...
- 10m, 15m, 20m circles-- YEAP!
- rising trot-- yes, been doing this since first started riding.. i can pick it up on the right diagonal as well ;}

Canter:
- collected--- working on it
- extended--- easily.... seeing as she is a reining horse, pretty simple to get her going in the canter
- bending--- working on it
- 2-point--- pretty well
- figure 8's---- havent done much....
- 15m, 20m circles--- mhmmm
- knows right lead-- yeah, she is horrible at picking up her right lead though! HORRIBLE!! lol.. thats what makes it tough and challenging.. but by the end of the day, we are perfecting it

Jumping:
- cross rails (two point) cantering--- few times
- ground rails (two point) cantering--- tons
- 2 ft. (two point) cantering--- once or twice

Western:
-spins on forehand, honches--- every lesson pretty much


Other:
- halt-- yeah
- half-halts--- mhmm
- back up (turn, line up between poles)---- few times we did it in lessons
- learning to open gates-- 3-4 times... :) yay me!
- tack up with no help, I help my friend alot :P-- for like 4 yrs .. lol
- Knows horse care (have owned one before, and from trainer)--- yep!!!



OHH!! Also, I am learning flying lead changes.... I perfected it on last weeks lesson :) I was soo proud of myself and autumn!

So.. ya.. is that enough info.. ask any questions if needed :) I dont bite
 
#6 ·
I'm not sure.
I'd say higher level intermediate. You know a lot, and you seem to have a while of experience...
I'd say if you were in a show or whatever, you wouldn't be in a very high class for jumping, since you don't jump very high. If you were doing flat, you'd be towards the top but not quite there. But of course, jump height doesn't increase the quality of a rider, so I wouldn't worry, and it sounds like you are quickly on your way to learning enough to be semi-advanced! :)
 
#7 ·
Oh thanks :)
I don't really plan on showing in the next few years... maybe once I'm older..
I haven't really done much on jumping, but flat work is getting pretty boring..

Once, I get my own horse, I will start taking western lessons with another trainer :) Im getting kinda bored of english flatwork
 
#8 ·
I am with Jillyann, only part of it is actually what you know. I have ridden western/ranch my whole life. I have no experience (except for just fooling around) with showing at all, english, jumping, etc. Yet, I still consider myself an advanced/expert rider because I have ridden for more than 20 years, I have ridden many different types/temperments of horse, and I have successfully trained several by myself with no help at all. I have known lots of people who really did know alot about horse care, riding, and management; but they could not actually do it to save thier lives. I have also met people that would be considered complete novices but had so much natural sense and ability that they were actually very good at performing what little they did know about riding and everything else.

Just going by what you have said, I would consider you an novice/intermediate rider (maybe better or worse depending on how well you can execute those manuvers).
 
#9 ·
I'm gonna agree with Novice-Intermediate. No matter how much you learn from a riding school, on lesson horses, it's a totally different ball game when you venture into ownership or leasing. Just my opinion though.

I got lessons from 5, worked at a riding school from 8-10, and handled and rode at least 20 different school horses. But when I got my own horse? I was novice as all get out!
 
#10 · (Edited)
Well, I'd say you're a beginner. You describe a lot of things. But...it's hard to tell, from your words, if you're riding the horse or if you're sitting on a horse going through his paces.

Do you ride anywhere but the arena? Can you train your horse? Have you ever installed buttons on a horse? I think that from the very beginning one should know how to train a horse on the ground as it helps with saddle training later.

Can you ride a horse down a hill? Up a hill? Have you stepped off a 3' drop off? Gone over water? Can you handle yourself on a non-lesson horse? The point I'm getting at is that, in my opinion, is that you have to be able to problem solve in order to advance past the beginner stage.
 
#86 ·
Well, I'd say you're a beginner. You describe a lot of things. But...it's hard to tell, from your words, if you're riding the horse or if you're sitting on a horse going through his paces.

Do you ride anywhere but the arena? Can you train your horse? Have you ever installed buttons on a horse? I think that from the very beginning one should know how to train a horse on the ground as it helps with saddle training later.

Can you ride a horse down a hill? Up a hill? Have you stepped off a 3' drop off? Gone over water? Can you handle yourself on a non-lesson horse? The point I'm getting at is that, in my opinion, is that you have to be able to problem solve in order to advance past the beginner stage.
I've only read the first page but I would go with beginner intermediate. The above questions would help better determine, pictures and videos would be helpful. In the show ring you'd be considered, beginner (first year of showing), Maiden (first or second year of showing), or Novice (wich, depending on the series could just mean hasn't won a blue ribbon).
 
#11 ·
Well, I'd say you're a beginner. You describe a lot of things. But...it's hard to tell, from your words, if you're riding the horse or if you're sitting on a horse going through his paces.

Do you ride anywhere but the arena? Can you train your horse? Have you ever installed buttons on a horse? I think that from the very beginning one should know how to train a horse on the ground as it helps with saddle training later.

Can you ride a horse down a hill? Up a hill? Have you stepped off a 3' drop off? Gone over water? Can you handle yourself on a non-lesson horse? The point I'm getting at is that, in my opinion, is that you have to be able to problem solve in order to advance past the beginner stage.
I use hand, leg aids. NOT just sitting on the horse... how could I get it to do all the things I do, if i just sit there??
I ride on trails too sometimes.. but where I ride, they dont let me go much elsewhere.. only the arena when Im by myself. I don't own a horse. I can ride down and up REALLy steep hills. I have rode non lesson horses. I am definetly more than a beginner! lol
 
#12 ·
From the very first ride with a saddle and bridle, my then ten year old used hand and leg aids. Of course, she rode for months before she was allowed to use either of those things. To me, you need to know how to do some training before you're out of the beginner stage. Problem solving is a huge thing, an important step in becoming a mature horsewoman.

Really, though, we'd need video to properly assess your riding ability.
 
#13 ·
These are opinions, what you asked for. I would stick with Joshie on this one, especially considering you rarely get out of the arena. I would say Beginner/Novice after learning that.

I suggest having a talk to Brookelovesparelli on this forum. She is now 14, and was much the same as you. Took lessons for 8 years, and did as much as they could teach her at the riding school. She recently started riding one of my horses, and now leases a pony who is kept with my horses. She can vouch for the absolute difference in sitting on school horses and riding/handling a non-school horse. I would say that she is currently an intermediate rider, but that has only come about since she began riding outside of a riding school. She can vouch as well that she has learn way more since leaving the riding school than she ever did while there.

Not trying to be mean, but I know SO many kids who are fresh out of riding schools who overestimate their abilities and end up with horses that are way to much for them. They either get hurt, stop riding, or downgrade to a suitable horse until they have the skills they THOUGHT they had.

Of course it's hard to judge without seeing you ride, but this is my opinion based on what you have written here.
 
#14 ·
Of course it's hard to judge without seeing you ride, but this is my opinion based on what you have written here.

Perhaps a video can be supplied so we can properly assess the ability of the OP?????????????
 
#16 ·
I agree with Joshie.. You say it as though you know what you're talking about, but whether you could get on a horse you're not used to thats had minimal training and still be able to get it to collect and jump etc. and you also need to have experience out of lessons. You could be executing these moves perfectly, but the horse may just pick up on what you want him/her to do and just do it himself (because tahts what he's taught to do). I've been riding for 7 years, shown, eventing, dressage days, showjumping days, pony club, endurance, trail, polocrosse, campdrafting,, vaulting.. pretty much if its to try,,I've tried it.. I've had 5 horses (still with my 3rd 4th and 5th) and Im training a 4 year old with NO training whatsoever (as in, didnt know canter aid when i got him) and now im able to get him to collect, lengthen his trot stride, jump a metre high fence, jump ditches and cross country jumps etc. without a blink with an hour of help a week (keeping in mind i've had him for 2 weeks and missed a lesson, but rode a lesson before i got him) but i only consider myself intermediate. So really its up to what YOU think you are. People just starting out may think you're fabulous and expert of everything, yet others that have been in the game a bit longer may think you're only a beginner, as well as those in different disciplines may think you're very experienced or a beginner. It really just depends on what you're capable of doing outside of lesson times.
 
#17 ·
a video would help greatly, even if its only for your benefit.. watching a video of yourslef riding is great!! it can work two ways, as either a confidence booster or a pointer to what you might be doing wrong.. its also great for funny moments =)
 
#18 ·
I can't get out of the arena, cause I dont own a horse. So, I take lessons, and have free rides by myself.. but not much out of the arena.. down the road... a bit in the field chasing cows ;) (Fun stuff)
 
#31 ·
In my opinion, much of the time arena-only riding has more to do with sitting on a horse than riding. Have you considered taking lessons elsewhere? Have you considered going to a small, private facility? I ride one of my instructor's horses....and I rarely do it in an arena.

If you look at Spyder's list she's describing each level by the rider's ability to problem solve. It's very difficult to learn to face problems when you do not experience problems. How do you confront a problem that doesn't happen in an arena?
 
#19 ·
So, I would like to know which level of rider I am... here are some details..

I am 13 years old.
I have been riding for approx.5 years now. The last 2 years have been alot more serious.
I have never been to shows before.
I ride english pleasure mostly... bit of western here and there.. bit of jumping
I take lessons every week.

Here is what I know how to do::

<list deleted to save space>

So, what level rider do you think I am?

I have also rode horses that are not suitable for beginners.

Beginner? Novice? Intermediate? Advanced? What do you think??

Thanks in advance for anyone who replies :)
Don't get bogged down in silly labels like beginner/intermediate/advanced. Think about what you want to do. If you can do it and are happy with how you do it - you are where you want to be. If you want to do more or be better at what you know, seek competent instruction.

Five years of riding... there are some people that ride for 20 years and there are some people that ride for one year twenty times.

The list you give... I know horses I can put a relative beginner on and they will be able to do just about everything you list. Other horses, I can put an advanced rider on and they will look like a beginner trying to get most of that out of the horse. A really good horse can make a bad rider look good and vis a versa.

Best way to find out where you are and where you want to be is by expanding your horizons. Ride with different people. Compete in different events - not only at your barn but at places with different people of different ability levels. That will show you new things and expose you to independent judging.

After that, you will have a better handle on where you "are" and also show you what you have to learn. You may decide where you "are" is just fine for you. You may also decide that you have a lot to learn and provide you a goal to reach for.

When you have a really good idea of where you are and where you want to be you will end up realizing that labels like "beginner" and "advanced" are very relative and really don't matter.
 
#20 ·
I believe the reason that people here have a problem with what you contend is because of what you say you know and what just does not jive.

This is your post with my comments in red.

here goes.. lol..::
Walk:
- side pass--- bending to inside, legs on, I am working on keeping her straight,, she likes to swerve off
If he/she is swerving off HOW can you claim you are able to bend her like you have done below.
- collected--- I can do this easily the right way :P
NO ONE should be working on collection at the walk unless they have everything and I mean everything in place, not just almost there. An good rider/trainer KNOWS this.
- extended--- I can do this easily :P
Good for you but only a horse that can bend and be supple can do proper extensions.
- bending--- have been practicing for approx. 3-4 months now... getting pretty good at it
If you are having problems just HOW are you able to do proper serpentines...not possible.
- serpentines--- have done this for a VERY long time, can do it right :)
They have to be done without bends then for you would not be saying getting pretty good at them but would be saying that they are perfect.
- figure 8's--- about 1.5 yrs practicing.. on and off.. pretty good.
- 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m circles-- easy as pie :)
A good trainer would NEVER be doing 5m circles, certainly not at walk.
Trot:
- collected--- correctly:)
- extended--- sometimes needs an extra push to get her going on extended, but works well across long stretch of arena
This does not jive as extensions should have been established anywhere and no EXTRA push is needed if trained correctly
- bending--- bends to the inside, for some reason i am alot better bending at the trot than at the walk ;)
- 2-point--- learnt about a year ago.. havent been doing it much.. sometimes need extra pointers
- figure 8's--- pretty well
If you have trouble with the right lead how is this possible.
- serpentines--- mhmmm
- side pass--- so so. lol...
If you have all the bending down pat this should not be on a so so level.
- 10m, 15m, 20m circles-- YEAP!
- rising trot-- yes, been doing this since first started riding.. i can pick it up on the right diagonal as well ;}
What I said at walk applies here also and I would hope you can rise at the correct diagonal. What I find missing that really tells me about what level you are at is you have said NOTHING about sitting trot.

Canter:
- collected--- working on it
- extended--- easily.... seeing as she is a reining horse, pretty simple to get her going in the canter
You may get her going at a canter but speed does NOT = extended.
- bending--- working on it
BIG problem here for you SHOULD be able to do this if all that you say you can do, you can.
- 2-point--- pretty well
- figure 8's---- havent done much....
- 15m, 20m circles--- mhmmm
- knows right lead-- yeah, she is horrible at picking up her right lead though! HORRIBLE!! lol.. thats what makes it tough and challenging.. but by the end of the day, we are perfecting it
By this point you should be picking up both leads easily and even should have the flying change established already..again if all that you say you can do, you can.

Jumping:
- cross rails (two point) cantering--- few times
- ground rails (two point) cantering--- tons
- 2 ft. (two point) cantering--- once or twice
To go beyond beginner you would be jumping 3'easily.
Western:
-spins on forehand, honches--- every lesson pretty much


Other:
- halt-- yeah
- half-halts--- mhmm
- back up (turn, line up between poles)---- few times we did it in lessons
- learning to open gates-- 3-4 times... :) yay me!
- tack up with no help, I help my friend alot :P-- for like 4 yrs .. lol
- Knows horse care (have owned one before, and from trainer)--- yep!!!

So.. ya.. is that enough info.. ask any questions if needed :) I dont bite
 
#21 ·
I think the level of riding applies to being able to ride other horses rather than just one too. Each horse is different and brings a whole new game and being able to ride and handle different horses can speak to your experience.

Spyder had really great input, review and work on those things as they will help you become a better rider.
 
#23 ·
Thanks for replying with all this info and taking your time... but alot of your analysis is incorrect... I will write mine in blue..
Walk:
- side pass--- bending to inside, legs on, I am working on keeping her straight,, she likes to swerve off
If he/she is swerving off HOW can you claim you are able to bend her like you have done below.
So sorry, I totally mixed side pass up with leg yeild... I forgot what it was called...
- collected--- I can do this easily the right way :P
NO ONE should be working on collection at the walk unless they have everything and I mean everything in place, not just almost there. An good rider/trainer KNOWS this.
Well, we work on collection...
- extended--- I can do this easily :P
Good for you but only a horse that can bend and be supple can do proper extensions.
The horse I ride can do it, and I know how to ask for it..
- bending--- have been practicing for approx. 3-4 months now... getting pretty good at it
If you are having problems just HOW are you able to do proper serpentines...not possible.
What problems??? Where did I state I have proplems?? I can do bending...
- serpentines--- have done this for a VERY long time, can do it right :)
They have to be done without bends then for you would not be saying getting pretty good at them but would be saying that they are perfect.
??? doesn't make sense to me....

- figure 8's--- about 1.5 yrs practicing.. on and off.. pretty good.
- 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m circles-- easy as pie :)
A good trainer would NEVER be doing 5m circles, certainly not at walk.
Why not?? Why especially at the walk?? Why, itd be better to gallop them on a 5m!?
Trot:
- collected--- correctly:)
- extended--- sometimes needs an extra push to get her going on extended, but works well across long stretch of arena
This does not jive as extensions should have been established anywhere and no EXTRA push is needed if trained correctly
how is it my fault if the horse isnt trained correctly??
- bending--- bends to the inside, for some reason i am alot better bending at the trot than at the walk ;)
- 2-point--- learnt about a year ago.. havent been doing it much.. sometimes need extra pointers
- figure 8's--- pretty well
If you have trouble with the right lead how is this possible.
I don't have a clue what ur getting at... It's trotting!!! You don't have leads in the trot!
- serpentines--- mhmmm
- side pass--- so so. lol...
If you have all the bending down pat this should not be on a so so level.
mixed with leg yield again..
- 10m, 15m, 20m circles-- YEAP!
- rising trot-- yes, been doing this since first started riding.. i can pick it up on the right diagonal as well ;}
What I said at walk applies here also and I would hope you can rise at the correct diagonal. What I find missing that really tells me about what level you are at is you have said NOTHING about sitting trot.
I can do sitting trot as well.. I prefer that :) but, my trainer makes me do rising :P

Canter:
- collected--- working on it
- extended--- easily.... seeing as she is a reining horse, pretty simple to get her going in the canter
You may get her going at a canter but speed does NOT = extended.
I know that, but it is alot easier... much easier than some lazy horse that doesnt even wanna canter..
- bending--- working on it
BIG problem here for you SHOULD be able to do this if all that you say you can do, you can.
??? Where did I say thats all i can do?? And, whats wrong with learning??
- 2-point--- pretty well
- figure 8's---- havent done much....
- 15m, 20m circles--- mhmmm
- knows right lead-- yeah, she is horrible at picking up her right lead though! HORRIBLE!! lol.. thats what makes it tough and challenging.. but by the end of the day, we are perfecting it
By this point you should be picking up both leads easily and even should have the flying change established already..again if all that you say you can do, you can.
Why should I be?? It's the horse, she is sooo hard to get the right lead on! Even my trainer has troubles getting her on the right lead... We just started flying changes.. wow.. a way to make someone feel bad.

Jumping:
- cross rails (two point) cantering--- few times
- ground rails (two point) cantering--- tons
- 2 ft. (two point) cantering--- once or twice
To go beyond beginner you would be jumping 3'easily.
Why should I be??? I'm not in hunter jumpers! I am in english pleasure/dressage... I was just stating what I have done. Also, it isn't how high you jump. It's about how well you can do it... so are you saying that western riders should know how to jump over 3'??
 
#24 · (Edited)
The only thing I made a mistake on was the figure 8 which i had thought you had put in the canter part.

All the rest I stand behind and there is a sequence of learning that certain things are done first to built up to what comes next. Much like a house of cards.

Here is my analysis

Beginner beginner--has laid two or three cards down but not sure where to place them

Beginner medium--has figured out the first errors in card placement and has been able to add more cards to the point it is looking like something but any wind will disturb the whole set up.

Beginner advanced--has laid all the cards down but is in serious danger if a strong wind came up.

Intermediate beginner-- has started to built the walls but a strong wind will put it in danger but a breeze will have no effect

Intermediate medium--has almost all the walls up and can fix the odd error from the first set and breezes are nothing at all

Intermediate advanced--has all the walls up and capable of forming spaces within the structure based on knowledge attained

Advanced--beginner--started to complete the roof and has the knowlegde to see structure problems and fix most of them

Advanced medium--finishes the roof and able to add the more delicate structures like curtains and wiring and other internal structures

Advanced advanced--can look at the whole structure and imediately know where the problem is and fully capable of fixing anf only and outright F 5 storm that comes frome left field can topple this structure.

I would put the OP between Beginner medium and Beginner advanced.
 
#27 ·
I say there is NO way to tell without a video or at least pictures. I mean, I could have never ridden a horse before and just go google "leg yield, side pass, etc." and get great descriptions (not saying you did this). And I have a hard time believing you actually know what collection is if you believe it is easy. Collection is something people work year to acheive. It is not going slow, it is properly balancing the hore and getting the weight on to the hind end, well, honestly I've been riding for 8 years and I cannot explain it. It is never easy.
 
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