Appalling manners on Fun Rides

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iestynlad

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This is for (and about) the two riders on grey (white) horses and wearing white topped hats at the Milton Green Fun Ride today. I have done hundreds of fun rides and have come across some really ill mannered riders but you two take the biscuit!
The male rider rode right up my pony's backside at the start of the ride, rode up the backside of another rider en route; then when a separate party of 4 including 3 young riders lined up for a set of 3 jumps both of you hammered over the jumps at the same time as the children were jumping. That was really dangerous, rude and disgusting manners. This is not pairs jumping, it's not hunting either - it is a FUN RIDE meant to be fun for everyone whatever standard they are.
You are appallingly dangerous and I certainly - like I told you at the outset - don't want you anywhere near me if you happen to be on any other rides I do. So just stay your distance from my little dun.
I watched you riding off after you had spoiled those children's jumping and imo you are rubbish riders - reins like washing lines, sitting on the back of the saddle at the gallop (your poor horses back). The male of the two of you is clearly not in control.
I discussed you with a couple of other riders you had upset and they told me they had seen you at other rides and were aware that you should be avoided.
If I had my way you would be banned from Fun Rides. Incidentally, if you care and I doubt you do, you are giving riders in Cheshire a bad name. Some riders from out of the area said they much preferred riding in places other than Cheshire as Cheshire riders are really bad mannered. Unfortunately, in spite of being a Cheshire rider myself, this is an opinion I completely endorse!
 
Did you report this to the ride secretary; do they know who they are? If this happened on one of our rides we would be horrified and give them a huge flea in their ear as it's in our rules that riders must be considerate to other riders/stewards (and I'm a stickler for manners, really get on my high horse about something like that!) but we can only do this if someone complains with the details.
 
was there a photographer there ? If so, can you identify them from the photos online ? Give us the link, and someone will know who they are.

I've been on fun rides and simple manners go out of the window. I love them, but accept that someone will gallop past without warning, etc. But that really is disgraceful.
 
I understand how you feel, I loathe bad mannered riders and had to put up with some on a picnic ride today :( A group joined us, who barged through the ride, rode three abreast on some quite busy roads, used the back end of other horses to stop, trotted past to overtake without a word, allowed their horses to get nose to nose with strange horses :eek: while at the stopping places even though they were asked not to. All in all four people made what should have been a brilliant day out, just that little bit less so for everybody else :eek:
 
All I can say is thank god you've all got very well behaved horses, because one day they will come across an oppinionated horse that dosent like being used as a breaking stop, or barged or harrased whilst jumping, or being slammed into from the side (it happens!). And on this day they will learn the meaning of manners. The person with said horse will be called worse than ****, but maybe just maybe after a broken knee cap and a vet bill, they will learn!
 
orionstar said:
All I can say is thank god you've all got very well behaved horses, because one day they will come across an oppinionated horse that dosent like being used as a breaking stop, or barged or harrased whilst jumping, or being slammed into from the side (it happens!). And on this day they will learn the meaning of manners. The person with said horse will be called worse than ****, but maybe just maybe after a broken knee cap and a vet bill, they will learn!
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For the reasons you have said it is why I don't do fun rides. I've only ever done one, and I have to say it put me off. Its a shame too as i thought it would be a great day out. There were far too many people bombing off all over the place. People with no control. Basically a free for all. At the end of one very long field there was a gate way leading onto a road. A young teenager, came through the gate at a gallop, hit the tarmac, then hit the deck. Poor pony was flat out on the road. It was a disgrace, and something I would never do again.
 
Am thinking its just bad manners all round. Helped out at a pony club and the children were arrogant, rude and spoilt little ............money cant buy manners as they say.

But then it boils down to who reared them. Unfortunately most people nowadays cant see further than the end of their noses.

What a shame.
 
The same in Yorkshire had some very stupid idiot riders gallop past on very stoney ground on a narrow path then stop at a gate throw it open and don't hold it open and they are off again. I went up to them at the end and said how dangerous they were riding (they were in their twenties) and a few people around me agreed as well. Spoils everything and shakes you up. It seems they had no idea how to even tack the horses up as one had its bit upside down. Probably running away from it.
 
TheCurlyPony said:
Do you mean there were no road stewards there at all, that's frightening? On our ride if you have to cross a road there is always at least one steward there to wave you down and see you across. Any ride that doesn't have these is lacking a bit in the H & S department TBH. Yes, sometimes we are stretched to find enough stewards but road crossings are a priority for us.
This is why it's so important that riders appreciate others giving up their time so that they can have a nice and safe ride; a thank you as you go past costs nothing but it means a lot. One thing we always say is that person you've just ridden over/through or ignored could actually be the land owner which would mean no more rides over their land again after all, would you invite any rude person on your land from choice? One bad person can ruin it for everyone so please, if you see bad behaviour from anyone, do report it to the ride secretaries otherwise they can't do anything about it.
Manners cost nothing and mean a lot.
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Wow this makes me appreciate the Sports Endurance rides near me so much!

We are always spread out nicely over the course so there's never any bunching up. People are usually really friendly and helpful. Once when we were making two journeys (3 horses, 1 two bay horse box) a chap stood with me and my horse the whole time we were waiting to check he was calm and that I was ok.

The stewards are always brilliant and the rides are always really well marked. I'd say complain to the organisers because thats the only way things can improve, and if they can be identified they should be warned or banned. It would be a terrible shame to have young or nervous riders put off because those sort of rides are the perfect place to learn hacking safely. They have made me enjoy having my horse so much more.

It's also super cute to see the little ones out on the lead reign routes!
 
Reply to the poster re: ride pix:

Thanks for this. I shall try to id them from the ride pix and email to the secretary.

Reply to the poster from Wynnstay:

Thanks for this. Glad to hear the Wynnstay takes this sort of behaviour seriously. HOWEVER I have heard a lot of comment about and also witnessed riders bombing past on Wynnstay rides - many of which I do. Malpas ride the year before last on the steep uphill run at the start - two riders asked if they could pass - I ask you the path was only about a foot wide! - I moved onto the side to let them (which was hard given the incline) and they bombed past my standing horse with the bloke's cob firing a double barrel in my direction! When they got to the top they just stopped and then walked across a perfectly good field for cantering! Their point was?????I did not report it. Wish I had but chances are they were gone before I got home. And I could have spent the rest of the ride just boiling mad rather than try to give my boy a good day out.

To everyone who replied:
I think it is very hard for ride organisers - they can't control this type of behaviour BUT they could issue RULES OF THE RIDE e.g.

- ask if you can pass SHOUT out it is often hard to hear and most people look at you as if you are speaking a foreign language but hey they can get used to it and it may teach them how to behave!
- pass at trot max and with a wide berth
- don't pass on any account if there is insufficient width for at least your horse and the others and lots of room to spare
- once you are past trot off smartly if safe to do so and "get out of their hair" (this gives them breathing space if the horse is upset at you passing and gives them a chance at a canter if you leave a gap between you)
- ride "tactically" i.e watch out for poor behaviour, hyper horses and avoid them. If necessary, hang back at a gate - tuck yourself behind a hedge - and let them get past you. If you can see them upfront it is better than having them behind you
- if you see someone struggling with a hyper horse, especially if they are riding alone, mention it to the stewards in case they need some support
- encourage riders to report poor manners/rider's bad behaviour/rudeness
- if you are going slow and you see someone behind you madly trotting to catch up DON'T start trotting off, they are trying to pass - hopefully at a wide berth - so that they can have a canter. When they are past leave a good space and you will be able to proceed at the pace you want
- at jumps stand off to let jumpers waiting get their jump in, if your horse won't stand off calmly trot past and forget that jump
- put the emergency contact number for the ride in your mobile perhaps under EM for emergency (you can delete it straight after the ride to avoid mixing up for the next ride). I have come across some rides without emergency numbers and one (organised by a very prominent organisation) were it went straight to voicemail and stayed that way during the whole of the 6 hours that we were lost!!!!
- if there is a good bit for a canter and there is a slower rider on the stretch pass at a VERY wide berth and more often than not this does not turn into a race but keep an eye on them in case you cause problems and then slow up
- always remember that most horses you will come across on the ride have never met your horse before and just as you wouldn't turn your horse out on the field with them without slow introduction you can't expect to approach them without expecting a hostile reaction so DONT GET CLOSE

Health and Safety is thrust down our throats at every opportunity and I so fear that fun rides are in jeopardy if there are accidents, we have seen so many disappear from the scene in Cheshire alone. Insurance costs may make them just too expensive to do on a regular basis.

Just a note on ride stewards:
Many have not got a clue and I realise that it is hard to find stewards to give up their day voluntarily. I have come across some who don't even have the emergency phone number to ring - this happened when a guy had fallen at a jump and hit his head! Stewards should be briefed and have the b***ls to challenge bad rider behaviour. They should also be told not to suddenly spring out of their cars, flap coats, let their dogs chase the horses, open umbrellas suddenly etc etc
Why not volunteer to steward a ride if your horse is off work?

Anyone up to join a campaign to get rules such as above adopted by Fun Ride Organisers?

To the poster (and all others who have been put off) who only went on one Fun Ride and then gave up: this is such a shame. I did this when my pony was younger - he was on two legs most of the ride and it was hell especially as I have no company to ride with as most people I know don't fancy fun rides either. Toughing it out alone however has made me a tougher rider though I still dread his retiring (soon probably) and getting another used to the Fun Ride scene.
My advice is to go last. Lurk in the boxpark if you have to, to check that they have all gone. Don't be hasseled to speed up if you don't want to. Try to get an instructor to accompany you in the first instance - will give you confidence that someone can bale you out if you have problems - maybe even with a lead rope - this can calm a horse enormously. Get a tabard saying Young Horse (even if it isn't). Put a red ribbon in its tail - even if it does not kick it will keep others back. Try Farm Rides first i.e. those that have a regular ride on for payment. Some open in the week when there is nobody else there. Try rides with no or few jumps (fewer mad people on these).

Very long post this! must get some work done now.
 
I agree this must have been a horrible experience for children being frightened off by adult riders. I would certainly complain to the organisers.

However, I have organised several sponsored rides for ILPH/BHS and we always started riders i.e. leaving time between each one or group.
 
I must say I'm feeling a tad nervous now about my first fun ride in a couple of weeks. I'm riding my 4yo and we're still getting to know each other (as far as riding goes). I think perhaps I was a bit naive to think it'd just be a few local people going out for a 'fun' 'ride'?!
 
@SarahThomas - do you know when the organisers stop horses starting? Some fun rides say something like 10.30-12.30 on their advert/schedule?

If you're taking a baby, aim to be one of the last on the "course" and you shouldn't have too many people coming behind you x
 
Eriskayowner said:
@SarahThomas - do you know when the organisers stop horses starting? Some fun rides say something like 10.30-12.30 on their advert/schedule?

If you're taking a baby, aim to be one of the last on the "course" and you shouldn't have too many people coming behind you x
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It's exactly the time you've stated - 10.30 - 12.30. I spoke to a couple who are taking their two daughters, not only is the guy riding his new shire x (so keen to take things slowly and see what he's like), but his daughter is like me and getting back in the saddle after a long time off, so they said I'm free to ride with them.

Riding out with a lot of people may be a lot for her to take in as she's only ever been ridden out alone, but then again she's that laid back about life that it's probably just me that's going to get stressed out!
 
We love fun rides, but are very aware that our horses are not as fit as they could be, ditto us, we always go last and often offer to stay with nervous riders, as we know we will at most trot, I have seen horses from the yard we were on, dripping with sweat, having been galloped hard, the young girl's excuse was, "well she wants to go", my response was who is in control, you or her, for the most part rides we have been on have been well mannered affairs, perhaps we are just lucky
 
I am one of the two riders the lady refers to in the complaint about our "bad behaviour" as she sees it. I hope by posting a response to the description of our riding behaviour the readers may see that there is, as always more than one side to any story and not necessarily believe everything as she stated. Yes we did have a "spat" and as you might expect me to say it was because of her own appalling behaviour.At the beginning of the ride she demanded, not asked , to come past us which was no problem as she was having difficulties managing her horse. However she set off a few paces pulled up to one side so we walked past not up the rear of her horse but on the other side of the track. At this point she became extremely angry and laid into us. We allowed her to start off again. We followed her for half of the ride she then pulled over and we went past in a group. We all set off and amazingly she saw us jump two at a time with these riders. I say amazingly as we were well to one side as they jumped and we don't jump as my wife had a very serious injury jumping and never jumps. I'm afraid to say this was imagined and definitely not real. We exchanged pleasantries with these riders and set off in front of them and left them behind. Interestingly we had a word with the organisers about the dangers of young horses and whether it is appropriate to bring them if you can't control them. Clearly it was we who were complaining about her behaviour!!! I hope this perhaps balances a little of what was said about us.
 
Just wanted to say to those riders who are now worried about going to a fun ride- please don't be!

I took my 4yo to her first one last year- she is a sensitive, flighty mare, and can honestly say it was very enjoyable.

Riders were courteous, friendly and my girl behaved exceptionally- we even popped over a scary log :eek:

I have experienced more uncourteous riders at shows- namely those who stand around with horses in headcollars blocking pathways, access points and kiddies bombing past on their ponios to get to the next class in time (although I probrably done this when I was younger :o).
 
Big rufus, interesting to hear, and your story rings more true in my mind personally. The OP I think is just a classic Brit who isn't happy unless there's something to have a whinge about (and thats not derogatory, I'm British too!:) )

On another note OP - if I went to a fun ride that had as many rules and regulations as you suggested in your post above, I'd be put off going for fear of breaking at least four or five 'rules' which are highly subjective and would be entirely different when considered by one person to the next.
 
Whether it's the OP who's in the right or Big Rufus... it has put me off ever going to Cheshire for a ride!!!

Isn't there a place anywhere, where we can all just get along?!?
 
I think I may have been a little harsh on the lady who got upset with me. My wife and I did walk past her horse after it pulled over and after she asked if she could go first. However we are only talking here about walking past at a very slow walk whilst she was stationary. So in a way my mistake and a misinterpretation of the situation and if you have a difficult young horse one can get frightened and the response to a perceived "misdameour" can be that of anger. I can only say that we try to be polite to other riders and always ask permission to come past and if we upset another rider it would be unintentional rather than deliberate.
 
It seems to be more and more common to read posts about this sort of thing, I am taking newly broken horse to a fun ride next Sunday, I always ask to pass slow down etc.

However I feel it is up to me to keep an eye out for horses coming past and if someone is moving fast I just tell them to keep going and move out of the way, it is good experience for horses to get used to this kind of thing.

I guess it is finding the balance for those that want to have a blast and the more novice riders must be a hard job for the organisers.

We do the common ridings in the summer in the Borders and believe me you see things that would open your eyes there and that would seem tame.
 
How I love this forum!

Someone complains about someone else, the someone else then arrives and gives their side, makes for good reading when there is nowt on the TV.

And yes, this calls for the because we end up not knowing who the hell to believe!
 
DragonSlayer said:
How I love this forum!

Someone complains about someone else, the someone else then arrives and gives their side, makes for good reading when there is nowt on the TV.

And yes, this calls for the because we end up not knowing who the hell to believe!
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TBH we don't even know if Big Rufus was actually there or if he/she is someone having a laugh at the expense of the OP. His/her response sounds perfectly valid and if he/she is who they state they are then I reckon he and and the OP should have a private chat, shake hands and admit that possibly mistakes were made on both sides.
 
tasel said:
Whether it's the OP who's in the right or Big Rufus... it has put me off ever going to Cheshire for a ride!!!

Isn't there a place anywhere, where we can all just get along?!?
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Please don't be put off Cheshire as a whole from that one account, they're not all hooligans.

FTR, I believe it behoves everybody to be able to control their own horse at all paces in and out of company and over different terrain then you will be better able to cope with any situation you encounter.

For those that normally ride alone, do please try to spare the time to find someone to ride with a few times before you go on a fun ride for your own safety if not to acclimatise your horse to company whether that be alongside, in front, at rear, being overtaken at all speeds and so on. This could even be at the yard/school, ask to be able to join a lesson or something, anything to make sure your horse does not throw a fit when asked to go in company for the first time.If you don't/can't/won't do this then you really only have yourselves to blame if your horse goes spare in company for the first time in somewhere it's not used to and it's unfair to put other people not in your group in that sort of situation as nursemaid towards you.

Originally, hunt rides were run to raise funds for the hunt and would be used only by experienced riders; it's only comparatively recently that other 'fun' riders, possibly rather inexperienced have entered who maybe not used to different terrain or riding in company or being passed by other riders and so on. I'm sorry but those are skills that should be learnt before you enter a ride, it only stands to sense to make yourself as safe as possible.
Yes, it behoves everyone to ride responsibly with care for everyone else they might meet and in the main that happens (especially considering the numbers that enter these rides - we have around 500 on ours) but it should never be up to other people how your horse behaves, even in stressful situations, that is your job.
 
Ladyinred said:
TBH we don't even know if Big Rufus was actually there or if he/she is someone having a laugh at the expense of the OP. His/her response sounds perfectly valid and if he/she is who they state they are then I reckon he and and the OP should have a private chat, shake hands and admit that possibly mistakes were made on both sides.
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Absolutely, it's like an on-going saga on HHO. Seems to be happening more and more often now....

...and it's why that grievances shouldn't be aired on a public forum. If it were me, I would have said I had been on a fun ride, there were some issue with rude riders, suggestions as to what I could do....?

With the amount of fun rides that occur each weekend, you aren't going to get into a sticky situation like is happening now.
 
Trouble with fun rides is that you have people of all abilities and ages, and all with different ideas of what constitutes "fun".
We don't have that many opportunities for a good blast on our regular hacking routes, so we make the most of the fun rides to get our fix. We do always ask to pass, and do so as safely as possible, and never at speed, but courtesy works both ways.
Just as frustrating as someone charging by without a care, are the people who are the equivalent of Sunday drivers, out for a bobble, and seem most put out that people might actually want to blow out some cobwebs. Don't get me wrong, we are all entitled to be there, whatever we want from the ride, but it can also be annoying when you would like to canter or gallop, and come across someone who wants to walk. Quite often, they know you are there, but make no attempt to let you pass by ( we always pull in at a safe place if we see faster riders approaching, and shout to them that it's ok to pass ) You don't like to pass and bug*er off, incase you upset their horse, so you get stuck, missing out on that track you have looked forward to since the same thing happened the previous year...yes really.
I think the slower riders just have to learn to get used to being passed, and the faster riders just have to get used to being held up, and we all have to try and be nice in the process.
OP, pity you're too far away to come on the Newmarket Heath ride on Sunday. You'd have a fit! :D
 
iestynlad said:
Reply to the poster from Wynnstay:

Thanks for this. Glad to hear the Wynnstay takes this sort of behaviour seriously. HOWEVER I have heard a lot of comment about and also witnessed riders bombing past on Wynnstay rides - many of which I do. Malpas ride the year before last on the steep uphill run at the start - two riders asked if they could pass - I ask you the path was only about a foot wide! - I moved onto the side to let them (which was hard given the incline) and they bombed past my standing horse with the bloke's cob firing a double barrel in my direction! When they got to the top they just stopped and then walked across a perfectly good field for cantering! Their point was?????I did not report it. Wish I had but chances are they were gone before I got home. And I could have spent the rest of the ride just boiling mad rather than try to give my boy a good day out.
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We haven't got a steep hill at the start, perhaps you mean the one that's nearly two miles in?

Their point was as most experienced riders know, it's a lot easier for horses to canter up a steep hill than to walk up; to walk is much harder work for them - but I agree, it was wrong of them to bomb past you, it would have been much better if you had got a move on. They would have walked across the field to get their horses breath back expecially if they weren't very fit yet.
 
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