How Good Riders Get Good: Daily Choices That Lead to Success in Any Equestrian Sport

Down to earth truth about getting better as a rider from a master. Not as good as a cynic, but a good read offseason.

I think that this book contains excellent advice for people who are very serious about becoming top level riders. However, most of this advice is difficult if not impossible to apply to your life if you are not young, fancy-free and able to easily relocate, plus have a source of funding that allows you to take full-time jobs that have little or no pay.If I had been lucky enough to have access to this book 20 years ago, my life story might have been different. According to this book, as an adult amateur who made the "misstep" of going to college and getting a "non-horsey" science degree and then going on to get married and become a homeowner and small business owner, Mr. Emerson would say that I have foregone my opportunity to become an elite rider. Unfortunately, I agree with him.Riders who "of a certain age" might feel some remorse or regret as they read this book, even though some of the advice is applicable to riders of any level and any age. It's worth giving it a read as long as it won't put you too down in the dumps. It's a well written book with advice that is easy to understand and a message that is very clear and concise.Young riders who have serious dreams of becoming elite riders should definitely read this book and take Mr. Emerson's suggestions to heart.Oh, and if you're a parent buying this book for your child, be forewarned that much of the advice has to do with buying the best horses that you can find and trading them out frequently as riding skills improve (if you intend to help your child by financing their horsey dreams, have your wallets open to at least the five figure mark--or be prepared to take a home equity loan! During my 3 decades of involvement with horses, I have met parents who have bankrolled their kids' dreams of riding success into the high six and even seven figures).Other advice in this book involves riding and spending massive amounts of time around horses to the exclusion of other outside activities, and possibly foregoing things such as college or graduate school in order to further horsemanship skills during the rider's late teens and early twenties. However, if you're already smitten by horses, you may already spend all of your time (and your money) on horses and horse related activities. This book wouldn't add too much fuel to the fire in that case, but it would help a young rider chart a course to success.

This book is a 'big picture' book about how to get good at riding. It's not about the details of riding so much as the ideas surrounding your ride, for instance, what kind of riding do you want to do? What kind of riding can you do? What are you circumstances? If you are committed to a husband, and young children, you can't expect to spend all day in a barn training for the Olympics. On the other hand, you can train for shows as a hobby, and after your kids leave home, keep going from there. Do you live near a barn? Or in the city? Do you want to show in the Hunter ring, but your horse knocks down the smallest of fences on a regular basis.Denny Emerson covers everything from body-type, to available time to devote to your sport, to the kind of horses to buy--and sell when they can't do the job you want them for. This is the perfect book for someone who loves horse and is thinking about getting involved in the horse world, but doesn't know anything about it. This book can get you going in the right directions where your dreams match up(as much as possible with a horse) to reality.Filled with the life stories of many famous, and very successful riders, including Emerson himself, you can see how the course of events lined up with these riders' success. This book might steer you away from the wrong horse-the wrong style of riding-and a gigantic waste of time and money. My dream was to be around horses and I stumbled across(literally across the street) a barn that did Hunter/Jumper style lessons. The woman who owns the barn is around my age(meaning older) so she understands where I'm coming from. As I look at the other types of riding, I find that I'm suited for this type of riding(it's more style than daring), both mentally and physically so it all has worked out perfectly. Reading this book has only cemented my views, especially after seeing the other types of riding and what is necessary to compete in them.A fun read if you love horses.

This book is brilliant. It contains a good variety of tools, ideas, interesting looks into Denny's life and career (which support his suggestions for why you should do things a certain way) and a good dose of smack in the face reality that you need if you really want to see some positive changes in your riding, and potentially your life.Even if you're not looking to hit the next Olympics, this book offers great perspectives for changing the way you think about riding, competing and your horse. Even simple things like having your goals clearly thought out and taped in places you'll see them - like your tack room, fridge, night stand etc can help you ensure your next ride helps you achieve something in your quest to do better/BE better. Imagine if every single ride moved you one step closer to your goals - Denny helps you think that way. Great bios from other riders help you consider things from different angles too, including people covering off some common mishaps/obstacles in riding and life.This book has made such a difference to my riding, including taking stock of some pretty drastic choices and deciding that yes, I do want to take the next step with competing. I recommend this book to beginners and professionals alike - the former will gain invaluable advice to set a fantastic foundation in their riding and competing; while professionals can use this book as a breath of fresh air to reconsider why they're doing what they do and how it could be done better. No matter your discipline, Denny has given it a shot and has relevant advice. As an earlier reviewer said, Denny doesn't suffer fools gladly and will help you to cut through excuses like no money/wrong training/wrong horse. Everything is possible, it's up to you to make it happen if you really want it. Denny Emerson helps you with tools and advice to take the next step. Your riding - and your grateful horse - will soar as a result :)

A good kick up the butt for procrastinators. "I would be great if only!" You make your own luck/the harder I work the luckier I get.

This book puts in writing what I've inwardly felt about people and their life choices. Lots of food for thought, including how to increase the number of horses I have...!

I saw this book at the Bahr Saddlery and decided to order mostly because of profiles of accomplished riders and their stories & personal advice. However, after I got the book from Amazon.ca, I loved how Denny Emerson shared his own advice on how to be better riders - without sounding condescending. So much valuable information presented so concisely! I found the book very inspirational and fun to read - I could not put it down! The book speaks to riders of all levels, from armatures doing trail rides to those who aspire to get to the top, because we can all relate to the writer's experiences and learn from them.

Well written, concise with good advice.

Everyone trying to make a career in the horse business should read it especially young horse trainers lots of information