Competition horses and pressure

I think it depends more on the day to day management/care of the horses than the competitions themselves tbh. Some eventers and showjumpers out there are so laid back, right until the moment it matters, and some are a complete mess. A lady showjumper near me used to have the most laid back yard ever, all the horses were chilled, I don't think I've seen a more laid back stallion. Under saddle they could be strong etc but switched off when not being worked.

I think riders can make such a difference! Whilst i am by no means brilliant, if I hack my horse he is fine, ok not a novice ride, but fine. As soon as my mums gets on (has only happened once!) he panics.

I think there are probably some very chilled high class horses out there, with competent, calm riders and some very stressed 'happy hackers' out there who have novicey nervous riders. :)
 
Zoom is a funny one - she is most definately a competition horse! She was a high-goal polo pony bred and produced in Argentina. She is extremely quick and brave!! She was bred and conditioned to want to win, and she does!

However, when she lost her eye, she was plunged into an alien world and the work to get her to be happy as a 'leisure horse' began. Zoom is hideous when not ridden :( She needs to be out and about and I try and get out every weekend. However, this causes problems in itself. She cannot do polo any more so we have been doing hunter trials etc. She's great now, however she gets EXTREMELY stressed when she doesn't understand what you want from her :( She is a real trier but it has been a long road trying to get her to hack out/live out etc.

Long and rambling but - I think that true competition horses do thrive on work and suffer without it, however we need to realise the amount of human conditioning that leads them to be this way and recognise the prospect that many horses can be re-conditioned the other way!
 
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