Compliment or NOT?

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Bluecat45J

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26 September 2007
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Hi All,
I need to air my frustration and see what you ppl think.
I was flying high on cloud nine have completed and been placed in my first Aff HT in two years, finishing on my dressage score when I had a lesson with a trainer which i had used many times in the past. She asked me how competetive I was, and that if I wanted to go further I should sell my horse and get the next "model up!", I know its good to have ambition but I am a competing for fun, I have a well bred IDx he is competing well in all disaplines and is a dream alrounder. he would easily take me to Medium dressage and Novice eventing he jumps 1.20 easily! I am not pippa funnel nor am I going to be the next GP dressage rider, but I love my horse, I have schooled him from the time he came off the field as a youngster. WHY do some instructors feel it is there place to belittle what you are doing?
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or should I take this as a compliment on my riding?
 
If you are having fun and horse doing everything you want then don't worry!! I got told by trainer to sell my horse because he was 'difficult' and had an 'attitude'. He just needed more time and patience. You will know when your horse has reached his limit.
Maybe she was assessing potential for top level?
 
Did you tell her that you don't want the next model up, thats what I would of said if i was in your situation.

I think its best to take it as a compliment and if your horse suits you at your current level and you are completely happy with him then keep him.

I think sometimes instructors or trainers push you to do better because more often than not they are the only people that know you can do bigger and better things.

My instructor is always pushing for me to compete more, but i do it at my own pace. But i must admit she provides me with alot of the motivation to do well..because i don't like to come back to her and tell her if i've done bad!!!Scary
 
sounds as if you need a new trainer, not a new horse, tbh. what a nasty thing to say. it sounds as if you have a lovely horse who you are very proud of having produced, and who you enjoy riding. maybe he will reach a limit at some point, but it doesn't sound as if he's there yet!
 
My current trainer I had lessons with occassionally through RC I came away wanting to cry sometimes as I just felt I was being picked on. But came to realise that she thought we were tootling around with no direction and that she was actually pushing us in the right direction I just had some harsh truths along the way!
 
Thanks guys, I do love my horse and feel we have a long and happy future together, was just sad when my trainer has lost heart in him. I won't be going back to her.
 
At least your trainer doesn't do what my old one tried to do with my horses a couple of times... Get you to sign over a 51% share of the horse in return for free training for you and the horse.... You just know the horse will get sold from underneath you when it's won a half decent competiton!

Stick with your horse & change to a decent trainer who will work with what you have - obviously you haven't done too badly together so far!!
 
It could be taken both ways..

I had exactly the same said to me 6yrs ago by a top BE trainer.. told me that if i wanted to progress (which i could easily do) i should sell the horse i was riding at the time and get the next model up... However, like you, i'd ridden that horse since he was a 3yr old, got him up to Int. / CCI* level.. true he was at him limit, but after selling him, it's has taken me 6yrs to find something to replace him..

I say don't dissmiss the ones that try their hearts out for you too soon.. give me one of those over a talented one anyday!!
 
Does your instructor want to buy your horse!

I would stick with your horse - why go through all the trauma, stress and risk of buying another horse when you have a wonderful one already that will take you much further and you love, all because your instructor suggested it?
 
I'd take it as a compliment to be honest, I don't really see why its a nasty comment. Shes probably just saying that you're a very talented rider and with the right horse you could go a lot further - doesn't mean you have to get rid of your boy though!
 
I think you should go as far as you can with the one you've got, then if you decide you want to go higher up the grades, find one that will do that. As you've had your horse for a long time, you know each other well, you will learn so much together on the way up too, then you will be able to transfer what you have learnt to a new model.
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I also think your trainer is jealous!
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[ QUOTE ]
It could be taken both ways..

I had exactly the same said to me 6yrs ago by a top BE trainer.. told me that if i wanted to progress (which i could easily do) i should sell the horse i was riding at the time and get the next model up... However, like you, i'd ridden that horse since he was a 3yr old, got him up to Int. / CCI* level.. true he was at him limit, but after selling him, it's has taken me 6yrs to find something to replace him..

I say don't dissmiss the ones that try their hearts out for you too soon.. give me one of those over a talented one anyday!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto.. You dont realise what youv;e got until youv'e lost it. I also had a horse that we went from PN to Int/CCI* together. The horse always went clear XC, was always tough, sound and ready to party. Was an absolute gem and would always get those XC clears. Was told by a trainer that if I wanted to progress and go further I had to sell him. So I did. And that was nearly 5 years ago, and Ive not been eventing since. The 'upgrade' model I got, although a real athlete has just not taken to eventing, had a few physical problesm and will not do ditches/steps/water on XC. I'd completly taken it for granted that every horse would go over ditches, do steps and into water!
Meanwhile the horse I sold all that time ago evented for another 4 years, again always going clear on the XC, and finished in the top 25 at the Junior championships. What I would do to even just complete a PN now. I'd be happy. 5 years ago I was doing 10 Novices a year and a CCI* each year. Now nothing. But that will be rectified for next year!
 
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