Alex Kelly Horsemanship

How do I work out what level of rider a horse needs?

This is a bit of a can of worms because the whole thing is pretty murky. If you asked everyone to define beginner, novice, intermediate, and advanced in the comments, you'd probably get a hundred different answers!

When I'm selling a horse and someone says, "I'm an x-level rider," my usual response is something along the lines of, "Tell me a bit more." I'm much more interested in understanding their experience than the label they've given themselves.

As a general rule though, I think of it as two sliding scales.

One scale is the horse, and one is the rider. At one end of each scale is beginner, green or nervous. At the other is experienced, confident and competent.

The goal is to have those scales meet somewhere in the middle—or, for many of the horses that come through here, have them sitting at opposite ends. A greener horse generally needs a more experienced rider, while a more experienced horse can often look after a less experienced rider. (Of course, having both horse and rider at the top end works just fine too!)

The greener the horse, the more input is required from the rider to create a nice picture. That rider needs emotional stability, the ability to think ahead, and enough feel and experience that the basics happen almost on autopilot. Their brain is free to constantly assess what's happening underneath them and provide guidance and correction before little things become big things.

A well-educated, confident horse does some of that thinking for you. It has a little bit of "Jesus, take the wheel" built in. It gives the rider time to think, make mistakes, regroup and learn.

But it doesn't stop there.

There aren't just two scales—there are scales for every skill and every environment.

A horse that is a complete schoolmaster in the arena might be green as grass on a trail ride. Likewise, we've had very capable riders come through who'd spent years in riding schools but had never actually caught a horse in a paddock. Nerves are a bit of a complex one on top, particularly when we see them in more advanced riders - and it takes some time to understand what actually triggers those nerves - usually a case by case scenario.

So assessing horse and rider isn't about assigning a label. It's about looking at the whole picture—what skills are needed, in what environment, and what each individual brings to the partnership.

For me, it always comes back to one question:

What does this horse need from the rider in this situation?

Whether I'm matching horses with new owners or deciding which horse I ride today, that's the question I'm always trying to answer.

One of the quiet ones that don't come along too often!

🚘 EDDIE 🚘

15.3hh
Rising 4yo
TB Gelding

Eddie is my type of guy - he's super cool but has some ability there, with the looks to match. Someone will be pretty darn lucky taking this fellow home!

Eddie came to us in September 2025. He had been started with the intention of heading to the track.... but the add basically said "no ability" 😆 - way too slow, and very quiet. Eddie spelled and grew in the paddock until early 2026. He also managed to give himself a fence injury to his offside fore which we wrapped for 6wks (can confirm he is an excellent patient who require haltering for needling or wrapping). Leg healed and is sound, however is a scar that will hopefully shrink down over time.

Under saddle, Eddie is more woah than go. He is a cruisy guy who is happy to get along on a loose rein and ready to stop whenever you say the word. He is soft to work with and moves off your legs, easy to navigate obstacles with etc. He is pretty stoppy and wants to sit into his stops and starting to rollback etc - will be competitive in any arena in the right hands - however we have mainly put easy miles out on him due to age.

He has been out to an obstacle day, and to a clinic a few weeks ago where he was a gem. He had another little horse run clean up his bum while they were both cantering around, and Eddie just maintained his casual lope and was a great lead horse as the other fellow gained some confidence.

He's been ridden out in groups here along the road with no issues. He is still a young horse and has been cautious of bridges etc the first time he sees them but no silliness and happy to follow another horse over.

Easy to wash, rug, and handle - he catches you in the paddock and my 7yo can load him on the float.

Eddie will be a great all rounder for someone wanting an super easy young horse to bring along. An intermediate upward will suit this guy.

Eddie's only downfall is that he was a noisy breather under heavy load. We've had him scoped and vets diagnosed as mild roarer, and recommended he would be fine for moderate competition and work - just not suitable as an eventer etc.

POA to the right home.
Located Widgee

I spent so long worrying that my life as a Mum would mean I couldn't chase my horse goals the way I used to. And there's so many forums out there that spout powerful quotes, framing kids as an adversity to be overcome in the face of careers.

My kids are not something I had a career in spite of. They don't hold me back - they're right there with me being raised with lungs full of fresh air, hands full of dirt, and the slight smell of horse lingering at all times. Watching the hard work, the wins, the setbacks, the working into the dark....and I hope they grow up watching and understanding their parents build a life where passion, family and careers all coexist.

I don't need a clap on the back for doing all this with kids. They are basically my superpower. They taught me patience, perseverance, consistency and showed me that I had gears that I never knew existed.

It's not always balanced. It's definitely not always tidy. But I wouldn't trade this season for anything.

To the horse mums out there... you're nailing it. ❤️

Charlie stepping out on our big boy, Kammerzell House today!

Kammy is coming into work now and getting some miles out and about is at the top of the list. It is easy to forget this big calm fellow is only just turning 5 this year!

Kammy is going through the Queensland Off The Track retraining program with us - laying the foundations for his next career! He's going to make someone very happy. ❤️

📫 Swish new pad! 📫

Thanks to Angus Barrett Saddlery & Leather Goods for making this one up for me! Angus and the team do their jobs far too well - with me rarely having to do shopping..... simply because everything lasts. My bridles have been with me since early teens and still have not one crack, split or scratch even after being my everything pieces.... they work, they play, they show. ❤️

Now I have a lovely pad, sporting the logo of such a fantastic program that I get to be a part of - and create a talking point when we're out and about! ❤️

If you're in the market for some new leather goods, or a neat pad - get over to the Angus Barrett website.... and if you're keen to talk Off The Track ponies or the QOTT program - get in touch with me!

Queensland Off The Track

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

........

Ohhhh... that's a tough one. I think there are probably two, and coincidentally they fit together really well across all of my horsey roles.

#1 – "The day I stop learning is the day I stop teaching."

I heard another instructor say this years ago, and it has always stuck with me.

It's such a simple sentence, but it's incredibly powerful. It reminds me to stay curious, to keep asking questions, and to never think I've got it all figured out. It keeps me in love with what I do and reminds me that it's more than okay to still be a student - its okay to tank it and learn from it.

#2 – Unless it's the task at hand, or you specifically ask me... I don't give advice.

This one has been just as valuable. There's unsolicited advice floating around everywhere - there's an extraordinary amount of it flying within the horse circles, and even bigger amount flying around in the online horse communities.

Sometimes people don't need someone to solve their problem. They just need someone to listen while they think it through. More often than not, they'll arrive at the answer themselves. And when they're ready to ask for advice, they're usually much more open to hearing it. Honestly, most people are out there doing the best with what they know or have and curiosity is never built by telling someone they're doing it wrong.

I've found that applies just as much to general life as it does to conversations and situations surrounding horses.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? I'd love to hear it below.

Everyone was a bit excited to welcome Roanie home after a couple of years away! ❤️