What is a novice rider ?
A novice could maybe walk, trot and canter and maybe jump a few low fences. Is just able to do the basics. The Intermediate can do all of the above, is more aware of the functions of the horses’ legs and other muscles, can do more precise school movements, ie leg yielding, turns on the forehand etc. Has ridden more types of horses. The Advanced – is not perfect! This rider has done all of the above, knows more about horse psychology and physiology and anatomy, understands more about how certain training exercises can help a horse’s performance, would understand more of what a horse can and cannot physically do and how to help him. This rider would be able to understand more about fitness of the horse and can perform and train a horse to do more advanced school movements. Has more of an independent seat and has ridden many different types of horse with many different behavioural difficulties and to some extent, overcome them. He or she can also assess how a horse is going and what to do
The exact definitions vary from person to person, obviously. So it’s not like a set outline of “novice can do this and this” or “So and so is an intermediate rider because she can jump three foot”, etc. There is no set rule. All of these terms are relative. I might be considered an advanced rider compared to “Bob” (made up person), but compared to Karen O’Connor I am just a novice. In my head….. Novice = newbie, Intermediate = has been at it for a while, can do decent, advanced = highly skilled in a given area, knows what they are doing efficiently, has been at it for a long time, etc. Obviously there are other sub-categories if you really want to get technical, such as beginner novice, or advanced/intermediate, or even Expert. When it all boils down, it’s just a term. It doesn’t define who you are. So really, it’s sort of pointless unless a trainer is trying to decide what lesson plan you need, etc.
