Being Watched.....

I feel a bit bad now as I like to watch others riding their horses not because I want to see them fail but because I like to see them doing something well and working well with their horse. Most people here don't mind that really. I don't mind people coming to watch me riding it generally makes my horse show off which is funny. He trots around looking pretty then spooks as he goes past a really scary flower ha ha.

What I don't like is people commenting on my riding when I haven't asked for it. I try to ignore them but have been going through a lot of issues and it often leaves me feeling depressed and that I should sell my horse as I think I can't ride him. Need to be braver but it's difficult.
 
It used to bother me when I was less confident about my riding ability, but now not so much. I'm quite good now at being 'in a bubble', and anyway people at my yard aren't really the type to hang around watching. If they do, it's usually a one eye on the rider and one eye on the other person they're chatting to type situation, and I've never had anything bad said to me at this yard. Sometimes we do like to sit and watch other people's lessons, but as more of a learning than a judging experience.
 
I don't mind people watching me ride or teach. Anyone watching me rode may be given a running commentary about what I am doing and why!
 
Means absolutely nothing to me. I know them and how they ride and how much they dont know. Perhaps they might learn something . And if they are amongst the few who do know ,I am grateful for any input I might receive.
 
Can't say I pay attention to who's watching so it doesn't really bother me but I do hate when folk try to have a conversation with me when I'm riding (i.e. Shouting over the fence) unless it's something important. That is annoying!
 
I really don't mind people watching my ride, I have an instructor so I know what to do to improve my riding :) however my horse is 5 and is not good at loading and everyone loves to watch her being stubborn, I find it really off putting! She is getting better at it and the better she gets the less people watch, however she still has her moments.
 
Think it depends on who's doing the watching. I regularly have to warm up a horse in front of people I know which doesn't bother me in the slightest. On Tuesday I had to warm up a fresh, spooky horse in front of Tina Cook and after the initial 'oh god I can't ride for toffee' moment, fuelled with shouts of 'no pressure TP' from those on the ground as I rode passed, I had to ignore it as settling horse down and stopping myself going sideways down the long side because of the wind was far more important :wink3:

Honestly was a good lesson in self discipline I think, and one I can recommend doing.
 
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And Smurf is just super to watch :)

P.s I'm.not stalking you I recognised your picture, I knew him at his old yard and we are friends on fb :)

Haha Smurf's an absolute diamond (albeit a quietly grumpy one!) Hopefully I'm doing him some sort of justice!!! As we're friends on FB you'll know I never stop singing his praises!! :)
 
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