Hi all I've been riding on and off now since I was about 8 or 9. At 20 I've finally decided to get back into it 'for real' this time, and I'm really interested in taking things further thanks to all the confidence given by my new instructor. Four-five weeks in after a 7 year hiatus, I feel like I want to be challenged and take my riding to perhaps a more competitive level.

I'm taking weekly half hour lessons at this new riding school, which doesn't sound like much but we get so much done! The group is way smaller than what I'm used to so we all get plently of one-on-one time and good feedback, even helping each other as a group too!

At the moment I've been getting the hang of canter, which has been getting better and better to the point where it's as steady as trotting for me. I've also been doing a few jumps, which was a massive thing for me, as lessons at my previous school were plain, boring and holding me and everyone else back.

Thing is, I'm absolutely loving it and I'm just wondering now if there is anything out there for a 20 year old amateur without her own horse! I know about the BHS scheme for young riders but I don't think I'll pass for 17 :P
Anyone care to chat/share advice?

If there are some others at your riding school, you could ask about organising a show within the school, using their horses. Perhaps paying an entry fee and with someone to judge? I have done a few dressage tests at the school where I ride like this- its great fun and really gets your confidence up! And if/when i decide to get my own horse I will have lots of practice for competeing

Hi im also 20 and been riding since i was 9, yet like you on and off, last time i rode was a year ago now

Me and my mum were planning on getting a own horse, but as always things change, and like you wanted to a bit more. Maybe you could horse share with someone? Or try talking to your instructor, maybe they will have some ideas?

Thanks for the replies, I'll definitely be talking to my instructor when I get back - had to miss Christmas games to go visit the OH's family, no lesson on boxing day so I have to wait til the next Saturday after New Year to get back in the saddle!
For some reason I've been getting more and more excited about horse riding lately, it's coming back to me like when I was an obsessed 10 year old!

I'm sure my group wouldn't turn down a chance to compete, everyone's pretty up for it I think. I need to start volunteering or something, as a groom or stablehand. I'm going to need an income before I can even think of loaning/sharing a horse though it'd be an awesome idea (I'm a po' student XD)

I'm also a student, so like you am skint.lol. Except i work part time, but it still doesn't stretch far. I know what you mean about getting addicted, all the stables around us have gone to pot. There is an amazing one that i go to when i hae the money, but its 30mins away, but they have the most amazing horses.

Heh that's exactly what I'm like - the ones nearer to us are pretty bad, but we ventured over to from Liverpool to Wirral and found the best place ever! The instructors are fabulous and I love the horses dearly, especially a sweetie cob called Finnigan

I find the further out the more they care about the horses ect, nearer the towns its as if they get greedy for the money. Ahhh look what youv gone an done, i really want to go riding again now. lol. We have 7 acres, but is currently being rented out, ahh i'd love a horse.

Heh I keep thinking the same thing, but I don't have the money nor time at the moment...maybe in a few years, but I have a degree, career, house, wedding and babies to think of first! XD
That's why at the moment I'd settle for some sort of club where you compete on school horses, and perhaps try and start working my way up through the ranks of the yard. I have been a stablehand before, so I know I'm not entirely useless, just out of practice!

OMG are you my twin? I was a groom at an event yard. Except i don't want kids. I know what you mean though, thats why me and my mum were going to share it. Maybe once youv got you house ect you could share one. Or just find a loaded man, so i don't have to work and can walk my dogs and go riding....in my dreams.lol

Lol! I'm trying to get my OH into riding but at the moment he says he'd maybe perhaps ride someday, but it's too cold to even come up and watch me for half an hour! Cheek of it, some people just don't understand!

My groom days were at my old riding school, which wasn't to a particularly high standard, and I was only about 11 I'm awful shy with people, particularly in stressful situations, which puts me off ever so slightly, but doing it for the horses is just too tempting...even if I'd be running around with a bunch of little pre-teens