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