How to Improve your Riding: 5 Steps to Becoming a Better Rider
Do you have goals?
Do you want to improve your riding? Then you should get help from someone who has “been there, done that”.
It kind of irks me when people say they’re going to get a baby horse for their child so they can “learn together”.
Honestly, it’s a recipe for disaster!
If you want to improve your riding and elevate your equitation, invest in a suitable horse and an experienced instructor or coach. You need someone who can help you develop your skills, recognize what needs improving and give you the tools to make progress.
Here are five tips to get you on the right path.
1. Find the Right Instructor
The first step to improving your riding is finding the right instructor.
Look for someone who has experience teaching riders at your level and whose teaching style resonates with you.
Having the right person means you’re not wasting YOUR time.
OR,
Your instructor’s time!
Don’t waste my time by making me tell you to post on the correct diagonal.
Laura Kelland-May
There’s a difference between an instructor who provides what I call “traffic control” and one who actually teaches you how to do something.
Traffic control is simply telling you where to go and what to do. A good instructor explains how to achieve it, what you need to change and why it matters.
You should leave a lesson with something useful to work on, not simply a list of directions you followed while riding around the arena.
A good instructor provides clear explanations, constructive feedback and practical tools you can use to achieve your riding goals.
Through personalized riding lessons and biomechanics-based rider education, I help adult riders improve their balance, coordination, position and effectiveness in the saddle.
Explore my riding lessons and learn about rider biomechanics and horse simulator training.
If you’d like to discuss your riding goals, get in touch.
2. Set Goals
Before you start taking lessons, think about what you want to achieve.
Why are you interested in improving your riding?
Would you like to compete? Improve your jumping? Develop a more independent seat? Or simply become safer and more competent when riding on your own?
If you’re unsure, discuss it with your instructor.
Having clear goals helps you stay focused and motivated. It also gives your instructor a direction for your training and helps determine what you should be working on during each lesson.
Remember, goals don’t have to be about competition. Becoming a more balanced, effective and confident rider is a worthwhile goal in itself.
3. Be Consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to improving your riding skills.
Try to take lessons regularly and, where possible, practise what you’ve learned between lessons.
Riding once a week with purpose is often more beneficial than riding occasionally and expecting everything to come together.
Progress takes time. Regular lessons allow you to build on previous learning, develop muscle memory and recognize improvements in your riding.
4. Be Open-Minded
Finally, keep an open mind when it comes to learning new things.
Even if you’ve been riding for years, there’s always something new to learn. Every instructor has a different perspective and approach.
Try to identify one thing that was new to you, or something you were reminded of, during each lesson.
Sometimes, when you’ve been riding for a while, you feel as though you’ve heard the same old story. But perhaps there’s another way to approach a familiar problem.
Be willing to ask questions, be receptive to feedback and communicate with your instructor.
Learning is a two-way process.
5. Take Responsibility for Your Development
Your instructor can provide guidance, direction and the tools you need to improve, but ultimately, your development is your responsibility too.
Think about what you’re learning. Observe your horse. Reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
Good riding isn’t simply about following instructions. It’s about developing the awareness, understanding and independence to make better decisions for yourself and your horse.
Organized, systematic development through regular lessons is an excellent way to improve your equestrian skills and take your riding to the next level.
Ready to Elevate Your Riding?
Whether you’re returning to riding after a break or have been riding for years and want to refine your skills, having a structured approach to rider development can make all the difference.
Through personalized riding lessons and biomechanics-based rider education, I help adult riders improve their balance, coordination, position and effectiveness in the saddle.
Explore my riding lessons and learn about rider biomechanics and horse simulator training.
If you’d like to discuss your riding goals, get in touch.
