What would your description of a nervous rider be?

[mrsmartiepants]

For aslong as I can remeber I have always called myself a nervous rider even when I was helping break in ponies.

Mainly I think I have called myself a nervous rider is because the people around me seem alot more able in there riding, jumping higher pushing to do more things so I have always kind of been the one that was not upto it as much.

I kind of sat back and thought am I really a nervous rider
Whilst my friends are jumping 1m10 courses they wont get on anything thats recently been broken or refuse to jump anything that may stop.
I have a just turned 4year old which I am teaching and guiding him with his jumping

They hack out and go on long rides jumping over small logs
I hack out with someone else on my youngster who hadnt hacked out for 14weeks, taking him over his first few logs even though they were tiny

They go around on properly schooled horses doing leg yeilging and counter canter.
I school my horse and am currently teaching him collected canter, we are working on our canter transitions and not bucking every time I ask him to change lead


Although they are all doing this none of them will get on my youngster, who in all respects hes a baby you could really ask him to do anything and he would try his hardest to do it.


It made me realise maybe I am not as nervous and unconfident as I thought I was
Whilst writting down what I would like to do with him I have missed all the other bits of what we have achieved so far and there is alot ;D Thanks DG you just made my evening

[wozzer]

Yay! Sometimes we are so busy thinking about what's wrong, we forget to remember what's right. Well done!

[Casper]

Wow Mrs Smartie Pants, those sound like the kind of things a pretty confident rider would be doing IMHO! Well done you.

I think I fit the description of a nervous rider well. I clam up sometimes when scared, do the foetal position crouch, snatch my hands back (although really am trying hard on that one), get all worried and concerned, think irrational what if's etc. BUT I am on an upward curve now away from the confidence crisis rut I have been in. All thanks to the fabulous support I have had from people on the DG - Wozzer, Kya and all the "Confidence Crew".

[zoeshiloh]

Interesting question - I guess there are millions of levels of 'nervousness'...

Pippa Funnell used to be 'nervous' before doing x-country, but I would hardly say she was generally a 'nervous' rider.

I am terrified of taking Ben across country, and yet will happily get on any other horse (regardless of ability) and take them across country.

Sometimes I think I am nervous out hacking as Ben hates any road-users bigger than a car, yet when we are on a field I will happily gallop, or jump fences/gates/ditches/hedges. My friends are fine on the road, and yet wont go out of a walk throughout the entire hack.

I guess there is no definitive nervous rider, everyone has their own 'fear' whether it be a 3DEventer nervous in the SJing phase, or a dressage rider that will ride the fizziest, wildest stallion in a test, but is terrified to school him at home (a lady I worked for once).

[annalee]

I would describe a nervous rider as someone who lacks confidence and not necessarily rides badly.

Someone who is worried about doing that little bit more or avoiding riding altogether, you don't sound like a nervous rider to me.

[carreral4]

no you dont sound like a nervous rider to me either!

[amarche]

I would say its is someone who is taken out of their comfort zone - I am an experienced rider but i get nervous if I'm asked to do/ride something that pushes me beyond what I think I'm capable of doing.

[em&ed]

in the past i have felt sick or felt like crying at the thought of riding

shaking hands and dry mouth... so I have a drink.... then i need the loo....

Sometimes I can talk myself out of it in a "dont be silly..." kind of way. But other times I think "well, maybe I won't ride today", and think of every excuse why NOT to ride...

[iceberg]

5ft 6, fattish, blonde hair, aged 40+ - called iceberg!!!!!!!!!
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I think its a combination of things, taken from your comfort zone, underestimating your own ability and the 'what ifs'.
I do think also that having children doesnt help (for me anyway) because the self presevation factor kicks in and Im always thinking, if x happens who will sort the kids out?
Some nerves are healthy, keep you focussed and concentrating, but the problem arises, like for me, is when they take over and stop you doing what you want. They can be absolutely crippling, and extend even to watching others ride.

[wozzer]

Been there too, Emined. xx

[nic1]

I call myself a nervous rider because i have been at the stage where i can't get on my horse without shaking, feeling sick, standing on the mouting block with tears streaming down my face because i am so cross and frustrated with myself for being so scared. I don't ride this horse now , he is retired and because i ask nothing of him we have a more confident, relaxed and close relationship. But with my other horse i am much more confident, i will try other things, he is a little smaller so i feel more in control (psychological i think) he is really laid back, he has attitude and is fun but completely safe.
BUT i am terrified when i have to get on a horse i don't know. I really dread it, all the "what ifs" come back and i completely tense up.
My instructor says if i could relax and believe in myself i really am a better rider than i think, but the brain says otherwise. I am trying EFT this week to see if it helps.

Nic
x

[milo]

me!i'm a nervous rider out hacking on roads,in afield i feel fine no matter how big the field,its just traffic that scares me.

[fircones]

I notice the fear by its absence. All of a sudden I start to feel my body uncurl and my horse relaxes underneath me. I am a nervous rider definitely, through being slightly geriatric, and always aware of what "might" happen. Its lovely when the fear goes for a while. I keep hoping one day it will just go away altogether but it doesnt seem likely.