Am I a boring rider?

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Berkeley

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I can't believe I am admitting this but I usually only ride on weekends. I have never been to a show, or a hunt, or anything. I've jumped about 5 times in the 4 yrs I have had my mare and very badly at that! I just hack - and tame ones at that.

I see so many people talking about their accomplishments at shows, pictures of them jumping and feel a bit c*ap that I don't do anything like that. I wouldn't know where to start for one thing - plus I don't have transport to get anywhere (lame excuse?!).

When it comes down to it I don't have the time or the guts to do anything cool. I would love to have pics of me and my pony out there winning stuff (and not laughed at because I am too big for him!).

Anyone else in my team or are you all proper riders who make the most of what you have? Anyone been like me and changed?

I need to get motivated!
 
As long as you and your horse are happy I really don't see that it matters. But if you feel frustrated and that your nerves hold you back from getting more out of your riding than why not book a weekend course in showjumping of XC and go for it with a qualified instructor holding your hand? If you feel like you want to compete ask around for a lift or find some one in a similar situation and share the costs of hiring a lorry. Where there is a will, there is a way! But if its not for you, there's no harm in that either. Some of the best horse people I know don't compete - it doesn't stop them from being knowledgeable people who realise there is always more to learn. I do hate this steretype some people have that if you don't compete then you just plod about on a broken down nag and take no interest beyond shoving a bit of hard feed in.

ETA - Sorry, meant to say if you want to get motivated than why not pick just one thing to do this summer, like enter a show and do it. Itjust takes one thing to get the ball rolling.
 
As long as you are happy with what you are doing with YOUR horse what does it matter what you "could" be doing?

Currently I have three theoretically in work horses sitting in a field. One should really be about and about affiliated eventing - that's what she used to do; one was a show horse and would do a bit of RC if required and the other is a baby who should be being brought on. Actually they are perfectly happy in the field eating and playing.

Enjoy what you have got - and don't let anyone tell you you're wrong to do so:)
 
riding is supposed to be a FUN hobby. It's bloomin' expensive, so I think it's important that you enjoy it. If you enjoy what you are doing, then that is great, ignore what everyone else gets up to! I hack and occationally school, we have been to a show twice. I have no desire (or the guts to!) to leap great heights - well, any height really! Just stick with what you enjoy and don't stress!
P.S. you are a 'proper rider', you ride don't you?!
 
As long as you enjoy your horses and time with them that's all that matters :)

If you're longing to get out somewhere though, maybe see about booking you and your horse into an adult camp for the week, or taking your horse away on a little holiday somewhere and just hacking out blissfully for a week through the forests or beach etc? :)

Or see about a local riding club near you and see if there's anyone you can pair up with for transport?

:)
 
Do what you enjoy :D. I could very easily be a happy hacker! For the past two years I haven't done much bar hacking, it's only recently where I have been able to do more :). And if my horse could only hack, I wouldn't dwell, I love hacking :).

It's your horse, and your life :), do what you enjoy most, and don't worry about anyone else.
 
Berkeley said:
When it comes down to it I don't have the time or the guts to do anything cool.
Click to expand...
I find this an interesting statement.
I compete BS(JA) and event, love a good gallop etc. You know the only thing that scares me riding? Hacking out on roads! :eek:

As others have said, it doesn't matter what people do with their horses as long as both are happy and enjoying it. Much rather see a relaxed horse and rider out hacking than a stressed horse and rider schooling constantly.
 
You can still have thrills out and about hacking!
I went onto the net and planned myself a route round my area that was approx 10 miles long - put me saddle bags on and wrote on the yard event board - 13 people ended up joining me!
Off down the road we went and had a jolly little old time together! :)
We had got in contact with several of the local farmers and asked them if we could go into their fields to have a canter/gallop and they were fine about it - even left the gate open for us!
Its not all about competing - thats just one side of it...do what makes you and your horse/pony happy!
......and who cares if you're too big - the only time you should get worried is if your pony tells you that your are too big! ;)
 
well if your boring - im attrocious!!!!!!!!!!!1 i am learning ot ride my daughters horse (basically, she lost interest - i love him so am learnng to ride)
I actaully want to be just like you - a happy hacker - i certainly admire people who do shows etc but it just doesnt interest me - when i can ride well enough to hack out safeley and comfortable i will b eone happy happy lady.
At the moment other people take my horse out to keep him up to date and vary his routine but i have not yet left the school with him
so long as you and he are happy - he sloved and well cared for - its up to yu what you do with your horse xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
Im definitely in your team, my retired racehorse loves his life as a happy hack. Im not brave enough to do XC, or any other sort of jumping. I keep him at a local farm and we have no facilities as such, brilliant hacking but during the week the roads are a bit of a rat run so its really only safe to venture out at the weekends. We do a bit of half hearted schooling a couple of evenings a week in the summer, but that tends to turn into a wander round the farm fields doing gate practice. I tried moving to a busier yard where they had a school, absolutely hated it so moved back. Che is my relaxation and my best mate, we are both pretty chilled where we are and doing what we do so I have long since stopped feeling guilty about the things we dont do and Che has long since stopped asking to jump round Badminton:) As Juno implies, hacking out is a skill in itself, so just relax and enjoy!
 
Dressage! I'm like you, I'm not made for eventing, and never had the horse to compete at anything mad like sj or hunter trials (too small, too old, too young, too lame) but started dressaging two or three years ago, and it is so relaxing! You get that adrenaline rush from the competition, but it's not scary, you get input from the judges, and it's an excuse to get dressed up :P I love it! See if you can hitch a lift to a local show that does a bit of prelim dressage, you'll be amazed how fun it is!
 
Are you bored? If not...then carry on!!!

If so, make a concious change.

If you are bored, what would make you less bored? Go do that!
 
There is no rules, people so what they want because they enjoy it....or at least that is how it is supposed to be, so if that's what your doing and thats what you enjoy, then your cooking with gas!

I really wouldn't worry about it :)
 
If your happy and enjoying "your" riding and your beast is healthy and happy, then why worry, if other people think your a boring rider thats their problem.

If your horse is bored then maybe something different for him/her, which you would probably enjoy as well, but not for the benefit of other people.
 
*Slap*

There...take that.:eek:

You hack out.....which demands nerves, confidence and a half-decent level of riding at least.

I have never affiliated- closest I get to 'proper' stuff is RC and local shows- mostly in hand because although I'd love to do ridden stuff the thought makes me plop myself. I have entered myself in a local show in a couple of weeks to do ridden veteran/RC horse- but if I chicken out.....fall off.....trample the judge:p(has been known)......so what?

I count myself lucky enough to have horses.....I could ride every day- if I want, and if I can't be bothered...so what? OH has just made me some jump poles....I have no wings, and I dont want to spend money on things I will use at the most once a month- so watch this space for comedy jumps made from plastic garden chairs and what not- set up at a height of about 3 inches from the floor.....BSJA-not!

Enjoy your horses and what you do....and don't put pressure on yourself ....no-one is judging you:D
 
Totally agree with others, do what makes you happy. I know lot's of people who go to shows and do stressage etc, but terrified to hack.
On our hacks we frequently meet tractors and trailers, kamikaze pheasants, tree felling, people shooting, and around christmas we meet massive lorries (loud air brakes lol) filled with trees and our horses take it all in their stride (well mostly). Hacking isn't necessarily boring and can be quite a challenge and lot's of people worry about it and the thought of cantering in the open would scare the pants off them.
My ex racer had a tough life before she came to me and now has a lovely life doing what suits us. She actually likes schooling but I don't much so we only do a wee bit, she loves to jump and could have jumped to quite a decent level, but we didn't have the transport so we have only ever done it at home. She is 20 now and never going to go eventing now but we are happy doing what we do, having fun in the countryside. So to answer your question, no, you're not a boring rider :D
 
Berkeley, I am more like you. :) I ride 2 - 3 times a week if possible and although I tend to have two lessons a week right now (included in the 2 - 3 count), this is because I only got my horse in October and she needs some work. It is also improving my riding and helping us to bond.

Belle has plenty of potential to be great for jumping, eventing etc. but all I really want is a fun hacking horse, one that I can ride about the countryside on, jumping the occasional log. I want to start hacking more when she has stopped being a nutter. I don't really have any ambition to compete and am not really a fan of hunting. If Belle calms down in the future then I would consider popping to the odd local show (hacking there as no transport) but I can't really see myself doing more than that. When we hack right now we only walk as we have to do a lot of roadwork with someone walking or cycling with us.

So no, you're not at all boring, you're just doing what you enjoy. :)
 
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I thought I was the only one.
I take mine to shows but, I never take them in classes...or ride.
I used to just go to late night stuff with my old pony (who I was too big for too =/) and just walk around in the warm up.

But, do what you feel comfortable doing.
If you want to get out there, maybe you could get a trainer? :)
One that will help you out at shows aswell as at home too.
 
I am definately in your team, I have been to a few shows with mine but it's been so stressful for me everytime as I just worry about everything! My aim is to get a rosette in the walk and trot test! I enjoy having my 2 and just spending time with them, schooling, having lessons and lunging. There was a time when I wanted to do all the shows and bought a trailer but couldn't afford the car to tow it so had to sell it all!! Also don't think I could cope with the stress! Hehe! Ignore other people and just have fun! x
 
Chestnutty mare, I think you have a clone of my horse! Also have 20 year old ex-racer who just likes hacking and living in a field!
 
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I think you are totally undermining the guts you need for hacking. I am far more at home on a (very) local show ground with a bit of showing and a very small clearound ahead than out hacking on the roads. Ultimately you must enjoy your horses that is after all why we have. Do not beat yourself up about what you don't do but enjoy what you do do. On the other hand if you want to go further (it sounds like you are questioning yourself) go for it. I know it seems like a minefield of new things but it is alot less scarey than you think out there. Transport can be saved for/shared/hired and all the help you could ever need is available on this forum.
 
Berkeley said:
I can't believe I am admitting this but I usually only ride on weekends. I have never been to a show, or a hunt, or anything. I've jumped about 5 times in the 4 yrs I have had my mare and very badly at that! I just hack - and tame ones at that.

I see so many people talking about their accomplishments at shows, pictures of them jumping and feel a bit c*ap that I don't do anything like that. I wouldn't know where to start for one thing - plus I don't have transport to get anywhere (lame excuse?!).

When it comes down to it I don't have the time or the guts to do anything cool. I would love to have pics of me and my pony out there winning stuff (and not laughed at because I am too big for him!).

Anyone else in my team or are you all proper riders who make the most of what you have? Anyone been like me and changed?

I need to get motivated!
Click to expand...

No, of course you're not boring, but you do sound to be a bit bored.
If you are on a big enough yard, could you organise a sponsored ride around the district for a charity of your choice? Or get a few local yards together? - I'm not thinking here of jumping loads of obstacles, just doing a nice long hack in company, possibly over varied terrain and raising some money at the same time. You could join a local riding club and do some of their events. My local RC is not affiliated to BR and our comps are very low key but even then many of us (& I'm one) are not interested in traditional competing. I enter Fancy Dress comps and gymkhana games - on a most unsuitable long-backed 16.3. But we have fun. We also go on the social rides, raise funds for various charities and I go to talks by dentists/farriers etc.
Many of our members joined because they wanted to meet other local people to hack with.
 
I would strongly object to being called a boring rider or of not having any riding skill! Hacking out on roads, and galloping in open fields, nipping through woods, over bridges and fast running streams takes courage and bravery. Solo hacking takes motivation, requires a damm good level of trust and an unflappable belief in yourself and your horse.

You'd perhaps be suprised at how many swanky competition riders can talk the talk, but then can't walk the walk!!;)
 
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