SOME THOUGHTS ON CATCH RIDING
It is clear to me - through patience and an openness to the special qualities of each animal, that being a catch rider allows you to understand riding from a very healthy and sensible place. The learning and trust between a horse and a rider is reciprocal. A catch rider has to adapt quickly, using strategies that acknowledge a horse's way of going and level of experience. For me, each new horse offers something different, a special new learning experience.
In the last five years, some of my best memories as a junior rider on the WEF circuit have been as a catch rider. I was fortunate to meet great trainers, owners and horses and, for that, I am especially grateful.
This week Beacon Hill will compete at a Littlewood Show, which is held on the WEF showgrounds.
On March 26, 2007, we travel to Tampa for the last two weeks of WEF.
Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub
posted by Maria Schaub @ 5:09 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
hi maria!
I do alot of catch riding because I have a pony that is a little to small for me. he is 14.2 and is a great large pony jumper or eq mount but i am almost 5'5" and my toes brush his knees when i drop my sturrips. since we are kinda in the process of building a barn flash is boarded. i ride him mainly but my trainer has me ride all the new horses that come in for training. i also show them alot, i won rider of the year last year on my circuit because the judges thought my overall ability was good. anyways, what i really like to do is equitation. im getting another horse soon (hopefully at the end of the summer) that is green (since we cant afford a "made" warmblood) and train it. my dream is to take it to the big eq. im not sure how realistic this is but atleast i have something to work towards.
so anyways.. thanks for posting about 'catch riding' people dont reliease how hard it is to get on a horse once, flat him, jump a course and then show it the next day.
also, i think you are an amazing rider, my friend does jumpers and she thought it was really cool you rode an ex-jumper in the maclay.
so, thanks again =] and good luck.
Hi Maria,
I have done a few catch rides but of course, not as many as you. I was wondering what to do because I get nervous I won't do well and they owner will be upset.
thanks!
Merriam
hey maria,
i don't think you could call me a cath rider, b/c i don't show a horse after just riding it, but i can get on almost any horse you want me to and atleast hack it and jump a small course. i don't board a horse, and my trainer is always buying lesson horses that need a little bit of training before the kids ride them, so i get to ride tons of differnt ponies. i've riden ponies that have reared, bucked, refused jumps, taken off with me/without me, and one pony has even reared, i fell off behind them, she practically sat on my legs and jumped off!! that hurt really badly!! but it only makes you a better rider in my opinion. you just have to have the guts to get back on!! anyway, thanks so much for continuing this blog! I was also wondering if you have heard of Kathy Hobstetter?
-a.a.e
Great insights! I think being a catch rider, and having to adapt to lots of different horses makes you a better rider in the end. You'll be better equipped to deal with many situations in the future.
Could you tell us more about the Ronnie Mutch Trophy Class that you won for the 2nd year in a row? I was reading about how this competition is set up, and it sounds like a really interesting and fun way of testing junior rider's abilities. I've never heard of another class that requires the riders to complete all the prep on their own, without trainers. How was the experience of riding in this class and are you excited about winning it AGAIN? The horse you were riding is gorgeous. <3 Ashley
hey do you go to rolex kentucky to watch at all?
How do you balance school and showing?
I think it truly takes a natural horseman to become a catch rider - someone who can understand every horse, go with the flow of them and basically bond with every new horse that comes along, each in a unique way.
Hi anonymous..this is Kathy Hobstetter. I follow all you guys and your rides..do you have a question?
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