A bloke in the pub made me laugh - are you a miserable looking rider?

[Ravenwood]

In the pub the other day, I got chatting to some bloke who was a friend of a work colleague who had come down for Christmas.

Unsurprisingly we got onto the topic of horses (not sure if its the smell, what I wear or what, but I must be screaming out "I AM HORSEY" because no one ever seems to look evenly vaguely surprised when this is mentioned )

Anyway he asked me if I was a "happy rider"? He said that horses must cost an awful lot of money, a very expensive hobby but every rider he has ever passed always looks downright miserable It always makes him wonder (apparently) why they don't find a hobby that actually makes them happy

LMAO and I guess he has a point - I passed a couple of miserable riders today

So next time you are riding in public HHO'ers...... beam from ear to ear at all times, keep that smile fixed

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

I know exactly what he means

but then again does he have idea just how fecking cold it can be when you are up there this time of year?

 

[rhino]

A few years ago I was out hacking down a very isolated little lane when a car drove past, the male driver was very obviously staring at me He drove on to the next layby, stopped, got out the car and took some photos of me riding up the road towards him but then got back in his car and drove off before I got close enough to ask what he was up to!

A few days later a photo of a very grumpy looking me appeared in the local paper, he was a professional photographer!

 

[Black_Horse_White]

I looked like that last Friday coming back from a 2 hour hack, soaked to the bone & freezing cold. Very hard to smile through the misery.

 

[Leg_end]

I am definitely a cheery one, always beaming at drivers/walkers etc when they pass us! However, if horse is being a git then I may not be so cheery (though this has only happened once to be fair and I was laughing!)

 

[tallyho!]

Alright! I'm in, I will pledge to beam madly from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat....

 

[BlairandAzria]

A few years ago I was out hacking down a very isolated little lane when a car drove past, the male driver was very obviously staring at me He drove on to the next layby, stopped, got out the car and took some photos of me riding up the road towards him but then got back in his car and drove off before I got close enough to ask what he was up to!

A few days later a photo of a very grumpy looking me appeared in the local paper, he was a professional photographer!

PMSL..... what was the article about......

 

[rhino]

PMSL..... what was the article about......

Wasn't an article - they always had a 'photo of the day'

Although the caption was 'Cantering down the road to Moonfleet' when I was most definitely walking

 

[Mithras]

Oh I can't stand those people who think you have a duty to go about all smily and happy all the time! Has it never occurred to him that people may be concentrating because they are doing a sport? Do you see people in other sports going around with permanent grins plastered to their faces? Does Jensen Button have a perma-smirk? What does it matter, and who is he to judge people for their facial expressions?

 

[Ravenwood]

Alright! I'm in, I will pledge to beam madly from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat....

Thats the spirit

We should at least look as if we are enjoying the hideous amount of money we are spending on our hobby

 

[Alphamare]

Got to agree with Mithras!

Also although I thank everyone who gives me room I don't make a song and dance about it, I don't stop to chat to random people either. Some of us are solitary creatures who like to keep themselves to themselves. What the feck is wrong with that!

 

[ridefast]

Cyclist never smile. Atleast horse riders have the decency to get out of the way when a car comes up behind them. Although I normally smile if an idiot drives past me too fast I just glower

 

[Ravenwood]

Oh I can't stand those people who think you have a duty to go about all smily and happy all the time! Has it never occurred to him that people may be concentrating because they are doing a sport? Do you see people in other sports going around with permanent grins plastered to their faces? Does Jensen Button have a perma-smirk? What does it matter, and who is he to judge people for their facial expressions?

Oh don't be so serious!

It was a jokey, flippant remark from a non horsey bloke in a pub!

Lighten up - its Christmas

 

[Kat]

He should've seen us lot today, having a right giggle we were. Horses all smiling away too.

 

[Carefreegirl]

I'm doomed then as I have a naturally miserable face.......

 

[Chestnuttymare]

I hardly think that riding along a road can be classified as a sport really, eventing or dressage or jumping yes but not just hacking along. I always am smiley to people I pass. But it's true, i see a lot of riders with a face on them and they often manage to look quite snooty. Especially the ones who don't acknowledge you when you slow for them.

 

[tallyho!]

Oh I don't spend a fortune... I'm a no rugs no shoes no gimmicks kinda person and smiling to the top-to-toe all-the-gear rider I meet, puts a smile on my face instantly

 

[ClobellsandBaubles]

I am usually deep in conversation with horse I am usually a very smiley hacker if not it is because a) my face has frozen like that and there is nothing I can do b) I am anticipating the next idiot driver with deep trepidation c) horse is being a tit usually due to previous idiot driver and I am gathering my wits and knitting back d) enjoying the view which is more wistful pondering face than cheesy grin. Is that permissible?

 

[tallyho!]

I am usually deep in conversation with horse I am usually a very smiley hacker if not it is because a) my face has frozen like that and there is nothing I can do b) I am anticipating the next idiot driver with deep trepidation c) horse is being a tit usually due to previous idiot driver and I am gathering my wits and knitting back d) enjoying the view which is more wistful pondering face than cheesy grin. Is that permissible?

Yes you can do all that but do it grinning like you just won the lottery...

 

[LeneHorse]

I think I probably look miserable all the time not just when I'm riding. My face is just not smiley - think female Les Dawson. I get fed up with people telling me to cheer up when I'm actually quite content.

 

[Mithras]

I am usually deep in conversation with horse I am usually a very smiley hacker if not it is because a) my face has frozen like that and there is nothing I can do

I have to admit to frozen face on occasion as it has frozen due in embarassment at being caught singing, loudly. Mind you, many drivers look so miserable should they not be grinning inanely too?

I must admit to having little patience left due to a lifetime being told by blokes at random "lighten up, it might never happen" when I am in a pleasant little world of my own and not in the slightest unhappy until hearing those words.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I'm a smiley rider because its fun, even when I make a mistake I tend to laugh at myself and apologise to the horse for having to put up with an idiot on their back. Smiling releases tension and that means a more relaxed horse.
The last two horses I sold were to riders who beamed from ear to ear when they rode and this transferred itself to the horses way of going. Although they weren't the best or prettiest of riders who tried them, I saw how my horses responded to their sunny natures and love of riding and I chose them.

Thats not to say that sometimes you need to concentrate and be serious, but as a general principle, a happy disposition is an asset.

 

[YorksG]

If I wanted a pastime where you grinned like an idiot all the time, I would buy a noseclip and take up syncronised swimming As opposed to cross country dancing and currently underwater walking in the field gate

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

To the tune of 'Smile'....

SMILE though your bum is aching
SMILE even though your faking
When your horse threatens to shy, you'll get by....

etc etc, feel free to add your own...

 

[Burnttoast]

To the tune of 'Smile'....

SMILE though your bum is aching
SMILE even though your faking
When your horse threatens to shy, you'll get by....

etc etc, feel free to add your own...

Lol! Not imaginative enough to add, sorry. I'm usually smiley unless startled-looking and travelling sideways at speed....

 

[Hairy Old Cob]

I am refered to as the Grumpiest Grumpster at work, and I have to say its being so Miserable that keeps me happy

Have you ever seen a Smiling jogger

 

[Holzdweaver]

hahaha i sing while going down the road! xD

and say 'Mornin!' (usually at any time of day too hahaha) and smile to everyone i pass lol! Then again my horse is just off a small housing estate and so they are like neighbours! Cant annoy them too much, they would gang up on me

Lol, all lovely peeps though, very friendly and unusually resilient when my horse tries to 'help' people find their polos by putting his head in there handbag!

I also make sure i put my hand up to say thanks and smile if anyone at all slows down or pulls over, Just manners really.
Then again, if they dont at least slow down a few mph or move over at all, they get the middle finger and me screaming at them, and god help them if i catch up with them on the junction, else they will get a tap on the window and a good telling off about road safety and how if they really want a half a tonne horse on their bonnet then they are going to right way about it. Im pleasant usually but get insane road rage hehe

 

[misterjinglejay]

I usually have a rictus of fear stuck to my face when hacking - some people say I look happy. Um......no........terrified what the beast is going to do next!

 

[dafthoss]

I tend to be laughing at the yellow ones antics out hacking generally after his half arsed attempt at spooking at something silly like a leaf or twig only minutes after a massive bus/bin lorry etc has gone past and he hasnt even looked at it.

 

[Lennyfan]

I have the same theory about dressage tests (usually a definite "smile, though your heart is breaking!) Atleast if I'm smiling it gives the illusion that I'm enjoying myself! Easier to smile hacking out, always highly entertaining as we throw ourselves under a truck to escape a horse-eating crisp packet in the hedge. Got to laugh, otherwise you'd cry.