How to Become a Professional Equestrian Rider

Becoming a professional equestrian rider not only requires the talent, but it also requires a specific attitude that enables the rider to reach the professional level. Develop a passion for riding horses with helpful tips from an experienced Grand Prix rider in this video on horseback riding.

The way you get to the professional level. Gosh. That's a good question. I think you have to first of all have the, obviously have the talent. But you have to have the attitude. I'll never forget many years ago George Morris told me, he said "what I look for in a top rider is attitude, not aptitude." And first and foremost is your attitude. How bad do you want it. And you have to be a real student. You have to be a real student. You have to know the majority of the riders, if not all of the top riders. You have to try to learn their style. What makes them special. What they do that makes a horse react differently. I could tell you twenty, thirty different styles of riders and you have to bank that and then when you get a specific horse that you think would benefit from that riding style you would just implement that. To be a top professional you really have to first and foremost have the attitude. The rest you can, if you're pretty talented, you can learn. I was never the most talented but you just have to have the desire.