When do children usually start cantering in weekly riding lessons?

[Whatsyourverdict]

DC is 7 and started riding last summer. Weekly private lessons, 30 minutes.

She rode independently from the start, never went on lead rein or lunge but always had instructor by her side to start with.

She started to canter recently after 6 months of riding. At the point she started to canter she was confident in rising & sitting trot, steering, transitions. She was riding nicely in trot with and without stirrups before she tried canter, she was balanced with her seat and not using reins for balance etc. I thought she was doing really well.

Her cousin has just started riding, she’s slightly older at 9 and a bigger kid. I was slightly surprised today when her mum announced she is already cantering given she has been riding maybe a month (weekly lessons) so can’t have had more than 4/5 lessons at most.

She showed me a video of the canter and the kid didn’t make the horse canter, the instructor yelled “canter” and the kid’s hand position was high up, obviously using the reins for balance.

I’m happy with DC’s riding school and really like her instructor.

But it did get me wondering what’s normal?

I think generally the standard of instruction in a lot of riding schools is poor, and it’s more about providing an extra curricular activity than it is trying to foster good horsemanship.
It doesn’t really matter about timing though, a child with their own pony will probably be cantering in a few weeks of riding, a child with very infrequent riding lessons could be over a year.

As long as you’re happy with the school and she’s enjoying it that’s what matters

Yes what Last Queen said. There's cantering and cantering and how long it takes to get there massively varies, the 'proper' way is exactly as your DD's instructor has done, taking time to develop balance, control and confidence in sitting trot before even attempting canter, so that when they do try they achieve a smooth balanced transition and a positive, enjoyable experience for both pony and rider, as first canter is a real milestone IMO and conversely a flash point for kids getting unbalanced and scared if things go wrong - it's not so much being in canter itself, although obviously faster than trot it's actually usually much smoother and nicer to ride, it's the transition that's tricky, particularly if the pony is unbalanced or a bit reluctant to go and has to be rushed into it.

That's why pretty much any brave child can 'canter' if someone else manages the transition and is in control of the pony (and the pony will tolerate being jabbed in the mouth or their back bounced on), you see videos of tiny tots cantering their Shetlands on the lead rein and laughing their little heads off, I guess there's no harm in it (other than as I say the pony may not have a very nice time but some people aren't too bothered about that I guess), and sometimes there's a theory that it's better to get scarier things out of the way early so the child either feels a sense of achievement or doesn't build it up in their heads later, but is that child in anyway in control either of the pony or their own body, no of course not, they almost certainly (a) not be able to get the pony into canter on their own (b) fall off if they did.

Your DD def sounds as though she's doing well and at a good school, try not to worry about 'progress' or comparing her to others, as with all hobbies you'll get little prodigies doing black runs or playing Mozart concertos or riding the Grand National after 5 mins practice (or according to their proud parents they are anyway 🤔) and others who take much longer to get the basics, sometimes one thing takes ages to come right but once they have it they fly through other milestones, what matters is they're enjoying themselves and gaining from it at the end of the day...

As a qualified coach with many decades of experience and a former riding school proprietor I know teaching standards can vary hugely between different riding schools. Sadly parents without much knowledge will not be able to identify good and bad practices so won't necessarily support the better establishments. Local Authority licences won't actually assess the standard of tuition either, a riding school that is British Horse Society Approved should provide higher standards. Equally progress will also vary with each child, some will be naturally better balanced or more confident than others. I would be happy with the progress being made by your DD as she is developing the basics to become a balanced, sympathetic rider and her coach is ensuring she has a good foundation to progress from in the future.

Thanks @Lastqueenofscotland2 @maxelly @NiftyZebra

I do like my DD’s riding instructor and she seems to really care about her horses and students.

Quick answer - when they are ready. Although some riding schools will have riders bouncing along out of control far before they should. This doesn’t mean they are riding well or at a more advanced level though. If you are happy with your instructor and your daughter is enjoying lessons, stick with her and don’t be worried about what other riders are doing. The same will apply to jumping heights too - there will always be someone who will jump a bigger fence badly. Don’t compare yourself to them.

Definitely great that your instructor teaches to ride properly! Good riding technique is so important. Those little kids you see jumping at HOYS and London International on little 128 ponies - all ride really well. It's hard to unlearn bad habits. Best to be taught properly. I really wince watching some of the riding lessons I see 🤦‍♀️with the rider bouncing on the poor ponies' back and the instructor not saying anything to correct it.