I found the rubric for riding level interesting. Wondered where it comes from, as I saw the exact same wording on a trail ride site recently. Is this an official descriptor from some society or body, or was it just borrowed?
For the purposes of assessing risk in a trail riding situation, these are good descriptors.
But it just got me thinking about how difficult it is to write really good rubrics for riding level.
For instance, many people with bad form and little understanding of aids are still good trail riders of spirited horses in open country. But I’d never call them advanced riders in a general sense.
On the other hand, training horses and riding green or problem horses is not something restricted to pros! Many intermediate and advanced amateurs do this. Also the definition of pro is not really compete in high level conpey since honestly, most pros don’t get above lower level competition then sideline that to give kiddy lessons.
Anyhow got me thinking about how many separate criteria go into making up an evalyation of riding ability.
There is seat, use of aids, tact, ability to train. Then there is confidence and level of innate fear. Then there is effectiveness and drive to get it done. Then there are natural factors of body type and past limiting injuries.
Sometimes it’s clear that Susie is a better rider than Betsy. But sometimes Susie has tact but no courage, while Betsy has a sticky seat and good horse sense, but rough hands. Etc.
