TheoryX1
Well-Known Member
I havent posted on here for a while, and when I do its normally about my daughter's eventing exploits. She is still doing BE, but this ones about mummy for a change. Now I hope you dont mind reading on a bit while I explain.
I'm what you would call a mature rider, being in my early 50s. I;ve owned my first horse, the lovely The Oryx 1, for 10 years. We've done loads together, hunted, dressage, showing, a bit of xc and he;s been to PC camp and rallies with Mini TX, my daughter. My old boy is now 21 and has been a bit of a big pet for the last couple of years as business commitments took over. I took a massive deep breath in the spring, resigned from my business and am now being bought out, took 4 months out of work and have now gone back to work, albeit at a slightly lower level, because I was getting a bit bored, but with nice regular hours which works with the horses and family life, which is what I wanted, after nearly 20 years building up a business.
I spent my time off getting my old boy fitter to enjoy some nice long hacks, pub rides and a bit of fun. I have really enjoyed it, as has he, but my competitive nature means I am wanting to go back to competing again, now I have the time. I had tentatively planned to semi retire him next spring and buy another horse. Howe he has also been diagnosed with arthritis as well, so I understand our ridden time together may be shorter than I wished it to be. We are working with our vet now to manage it properly and thank god for insurance is all I can say! However, at least we have the space at the yard for him to live out, or just come in and snooze and be a happily retired and thoroughly spoiled old man when the time comes to make that decision, which I hope wont just be yet as he is still enjoying being hacked out by mum and Mini TX who adores him as much as I do.
So .......... here is the plan. Since being out of my business I have lost nearly 3 stones and am fitter and healthier than I have been for ages, and I want to go back to being a dressage diva again, plus have a bit of a 'secret ambition' to take Mini TX's eventer around an unaff or BE80 at some point, but that is quite a while off I reckon. I'm going to be horse hunting at some point, for a nice kind horse that will suit me and will go out and do a nice little dressage test. I do have a very decent budget, good advice and support, a lovely yard to keep it on, plus intend to have some school master lessons over the winter, plus will be able to ride other horses as well. On top of that, I shall of course be investing in some decent training when I get the new horse, including some clinics etc.
What I am looking for is advice on how to take this forward once I get new pony, from those of you who are a little bit more mature. I've lost a lot of weight, am a lot fitter and healthier (have been told I look at least 10 years younger as well now) most certainly will not be buying some massive striding warmblood, but do suffer from a bad back which requires a chiropractor from time to time. Am more than happy to consider other forms of exercise to help the riding muscles, and although I am still working full time, I work close to home and have plenty of time to ride now, plus I am not stressed out constantly and eating and drinking far too much because of it. Apparently I am told I am now a much nicer person now I dont own the business any longer!!!!!! So, ladies, and gents, of more mature years, how to do you keep going with it, what do you do to keep yourselves fit, and is there any advice you can give me. The long term aim is to do BD at Prelim, and if we do ok, have a crack at Novice much much later on.
Apart from it being really exciting buying a new pony, new tack etc and some new gear for me, and having fun getting to know a new horse, I do feel a little bit guilty that my old boy wont be my only horse though, even though he will also be very special to me as my first horse, or am a being silly? Anyway, any advice for a mature potential dressage diva would be gratefully appreciated.
I'm what you would call a mature rider, being in my early 50s. I;ve owned my first horse, the lovely The Oryx 1, for 10 years. We've done loads together, hunted, dressage, showing, a bit of xc and he;s been to PC camp and rallies with Mini TX, my daughter. My old boy is now 21 and has been a bit of a big pet for the last couple of years as business commitments took over. I took a massive deep breath in the spring, resigned from my business and am now being bought out, took 4 months out of work and have now gone back to work, albeit at a slightly lower level, because I was getting a bit bored, but with nice regular hours which works with the horses and family life, which is what I wanted, after nearly 20 years building up a business.
I spent my time off getting my old boy fitter to enjoy some nice long hacks, pub rides and a bit of fun. I have really enjoyed it, as has he, but my competitive nature means I am wanting to go back to competing again, now I have the time. I had tentatively planned to semi retire him next spring and buy another horse. Howe he has also been diagnosed with arthritis as well, so I understand our ridden time together may be shorter than I wished it to be. We are working with our vet now to manage it properly and thank god for insurance is all I can say! However, at least we have the space at the yard for him to live out, or just come in and snooze and be a happily retired and thoroughly spoiled old man when the time comes to make that decision, which I hope wont just be yet as he is still enjoying being hacked out by mum and Mini TX who adores him as much as I do.
So .......... here is the plan. Since being out of my business I have lost nearly 3 stones and am fitter and healthier than I have been for ages, and I want to go back to being a dressage diva again, plus have a bit of a 'secret ambition' to take Mini TX's eventer around an unaff or BE80 at some point, but that is quite a while off I reckon. I'm going to be horse hunting at some point, for a nice kind horse that will suit me and will go out and do a nice little dressage test. I do have a very decent budget, good advice and support, a lovely yard to keep it on, plus intend to have some school master lessons over the winter, plus will be able to ride other horses as well. On top of that, I shall of course be investing in some decent training when I get the new horse, including some clinics etc.
What I am looking for is advice on how to take this forward once I get new pony, from those of you who are a little bit more mature. I've lost a lot of weight, am a lot fitter and healthier (have been told I look at least 10 years younger as well now) most certainly will not be buying some massive striding warmblood, but do suffer from a bad back which requires a chiropractor from time to time. Am more than happy to consider other forms of exercise to help the riding muscles, and although I am still working full time, I work close to home and have plenty of time to ride now, plus I am not stressed out constantly and eating and drinking far too much because of it. Apparently I am told I am now a much nicer person now I dont own the business any longer!!!!!! So, ladies, and gents, of more mature years, how to do you keep going with it, what do you do to keep yourselves fit, and is there any advice you can give me. The long term aim is to do BD at Prelim, and if we do ok, have a crack at Novice much much later on.
Apart from it being really exciting buying a new pony, new tack etc and some new gear for me, and having fun getting to know a new horse, I do feel a little bit guilty that my old boy wont be my only horse though, even though he will also be very special to me as my first horse, or am a being silly? Anyway, any advice for a mature potential dressage diva would be gratefully appreciated.