| Many horse riders would like to become the next | | | | must start watching your fitness and diet to give |
| star of dressage or show jumping but what qualities | | | | you a head start over your competitors. |
| do all those existing top riders share? | | | | 3 Determination. |
| Many studies have been carried out to determine | | | | You will often over hear people at competitions |
| what are the common traits that successful people all | | | | commenting "oh he or she wins because they have |
| share. | | | | wealthy parents, an amazing horse, an indoor arena" |
| 1. Practise. One of those traits is the discipline and | | | | etc. No one gets to the top unless they have |
| dedication to constantly practise your riding skills.If | | | | unwavering determination. Most of the top riders |
| you want to become a top rider you need to place | | | | have all had major set backs of one type or another. |
| yourself in a situation were you are able to ride as | | | | Many riders have not come from privileged |
| many days of the week and for as many hours as | | | | backgrounds but even those lucky enough to have |
| possible. Preferably you should be under the | | | | family financial support have still worked very hard to |
| supervision of a good horse trainer who can | | | | achieve a top place. Without determination you will |
| constantly correct your faults. You need a horse | | | | stop at the first or second obstacle that is placed in |
| trainer who has a good eye for detail and who has a | | | | your way. |
| good track record for training horses and riders. | | | | So if your dream is to become a top horse rider |
| 2 Fitness and a healthy diet. | | | | Decide on a plan of action. |
| To ride at your best you must be fit and healthy. A | | | | 1. Try to ride as often as possible under the |
| lot of riders believe that just riding their horse is | | | | supervision of a good horse trainer. |
| enough, but many of the top Olympic riders also train | | | | 2.Follow a separate exercise plan such as pilates for |
| in other ways, such as going to the gym or jogging. | | | | horse riders and watch what you eat. |
| Nowadays those riders who are shortlisted for the | | | | 3. However many set backs you may have, |
| Olympics consult both a nutritionist and a fitness | | | | remember what your goal is and keep taking small |
| expert not just for their horse but also for | | | | steps towards achieving it. |
| themselves. If you want to become a top rider you | | | | |