Could you live without competing?

[cosmo_sam]

I sometimes feel rather odd!!

(and that's without any alcoholic lubrication

)

No seriously, I could school/train pay a tonne on lessons etc, and really could take or leave competing.

I get myself into such a state on the day of a test/show etc I'm VILE and don't like myself very much!

I am much better than I was, but I still look like I'm chewing a wasp on most pics of me competing!

Am I alone and odd for being obsessed with perfection, but not that interested in competing?

(would add, I do do it to give myself points to work towards, but that's all I do it for really)

 

[harrihjc]

I think i could, before I got Flash I hadn't competed in about 6 years, maybe more. However, I would have to stop myself going to any sort of show as as soon as I get there I just want to give it a go. I used to get so nervous I would feel physically sick, still get nervous now, but nowhere near as bad!

 

[Rambo]

Nope....but i could live without the schooling / exercising

 

[cosmo_sam]

typical bloke!

 

[Scarlett]

I would school all day but am not all that bothered about competing or hacking... doing dressage over the summer so will see if that changes me. My big problem is I'm just not competative at all...

 

[the watcher]

Yup, haven't competed in years, don't really miss it at all (all that washing/bandaging/tack cleaning-bah!)

 

[RachelB]

With dressage I compete to be competitive, especially since my horse has totally surprised me and got me a rosette nearly every time out! Anything jumping and I compete just to jump, eg. to jump a clear SJ or XC round, and not necessarily to beat anyone else.
I am awful to be around though on competition days/ the day before, especially now I have a grey horse and she's so flippin' mucky! I get so stressed as I want everything done perfectly. I now have learnt to leave myself an extra 30-60 minutes, get there really early, and the less rushing I do the better. Plus it helps that my horse works best if I walk and trot for 10 mins before a test, and I don't concentrate too much on how we're doing. I don't think I get stressed because I want to beat anyone else, just because I can't let anyone else see my horse not working as well as I know she can!
I don't think I could give it all up to be a happy hacker though. Roll on autumn when I can do some last-minute eventing!

 

[cosmo_sam]

See I don't really like hacking either!! I'm lucky my hubby does and takes G all over the place, and I do hack occasionally, but again I could live without that for my own needs.

(I do think it's good for a horse's brain though so if I had to do it more I would)

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

If i was forced to then yes i could but tbh i wouldnt want to, i love the whole package, the schooling, the exercising, the fittening, developing that bond and then the competing, its the whole package i love

 

[cosmo_sam]

[ QUOTE ]
WI don't think I get stressed because I want to beat anyone else, just because I can't let anyone else see my horse not working as well as I know she can!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I'm similar to that too. I don't care about beating others (and I know people don't believe me when I say that) but I am a bit of a perfectionist and so many spanners in the works at events hinder perfection!!

 

[Alibear]

Well I can go years without competing if necessary but really I do like to be able to go out and about whether it's a competition or a training session/day doesn't bother me much though.

 

[samp]

I can live without it but would rather do it. I am a perfectionist and compete against myself really. As strive to do the best that I can etc and kick myself if I make a silly error really. I am not very competitive but of course it is great to do well and be placed

 

[tabithakat64]

Yes, only compete a few times a year, not very competitive, get very stressed, but feel its something I should be doing... Could easily not compete at all

 

[Tempi]

nope, i love competing, going for lessons with my trainer and schooling my horses

Tbh i love doing everything, even mucking out

 

[sarahs]

I think that I only ride to compete, and although im not ultra competative its the thing that I enjoy the most.
I only ride at home once or twice a week, I have a sharer who loves schooling & hacking etc but wont compete ! Perfect ! Also dont like riding unless im having a lesson !
But if i want to start winning I admit I will need to put more effort in, as need to get myself fitter!
Can take or leave hacking - i get more nervous hacking then I do competing. I dont think i get nervous when I compete but always have a dodgy stomach and feel sick - but try to put that down to something ive eaten !

 

[skye123]

i love competing but i always get very nervous before jumping but once i`m in there and going i`m fine. TBH i like doing all the preparation for the shows (except for cleaning tack

)

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Would love to compete one day to say I've done it but am just not good enough to do anything more than make myself look an utter prune. I may be desitined for a life as a happy hacker

 

[Bossanova]

No, I am addicted to adrenaline so could not live without competing unless someone provided a very good alternative

 

[evsj]

I am definately less keen to fill every free weekend with a competition. that's why i like BE cos there are only a few events on which i am prepared to travel to. i wouldn't die withour competitions but then i probably wouldn't try very hard with the flat-work if there weren't any!

 

[wench]

Anyone can go out competing - I have only been to a couple - wouldnt want to do it on a serious basis - but its good having fun out with mates at different places. Not that I go to win!

 

[fairhill]

I'm like you, except I don't get stressed out when I compete either, or obsessed with perfection!
My aim is to get my horses as well schooled and trained in as many different disciplines as possible

Actually competing comes way down my list of prioritories at the moment - I haven't got enough time for it!

It's helped me riding Chloe as no-one (least of all me) expects her to do well, so I enter local shows to see how we cope in the situation, rather than to compete. I'm so used to coming last, that anything extra is a lovely bonus

 

[mpicton101]

100% not alone!

I'm a perfectionist and I'm constantly criticising my riding which in turn means I'm always convinced I've got something else to work on before I can go out and compete.

In a way I would much rather concentrate and be relaxed at home and get much better results, then be tense and worried out competing and ride like a moron! Saying that, I still do enjoy going out for a party

 

[riotgirl]

I manage quite well without competing

 

[TGM]

I can now, although didn't have the same attitude when I was younger! Like you I get stressed on show day and wonder why I'm doing it all! When I was in my twenties and was competing every weekend the 'stage fright' went away, but now I have a family I can't and don't want to compete all the time.

However, I do love taking my daughter to shows and I enjoy helping her plait and get the pony ready, so I'm getting all the fun of the show atmosphere without the stress of having to compete myself!

Nowadays I'm happy to just hack and school, and we are lucky enough to have some beautiful countryside to explore on horseback.

 

[Chex]

I could easily not compete. Its just so much effort, time and money for what...5 minutes in a ring?! I'm probably just lazy, but I just couldn't be bothered having to ride day in day out doing the same boring schooling stuff, its just not my cup of tea. I do like xc though, then I can put all my galloping into practise, and he doesn't even have to be clean

 

[Enfys]

Yes. I do manage quite merrily without competing.
I never enjoyed competing anyway (apart from endurance) but perversely I really enjoy all the preparation that goes before hand

 

[Super_Kat]

Up until recently I could count on one hand the amount of times I used to compete in a year so although I loved it cpeting wasn't a huge thing but over the last few weeks I've been out jumping every weekend I now I don't think I'd enjoy not competing. I love having something to work towards and the enjoyment of going out there and competing against others......you can't top it! So I'll say no

 

[LEC]

I would not bother having a horse if I could not compete. For me competition drives everything - fitness, feeding, preparation, improvement, schooling and direction.
If I have a horse that does not come up to scratch competition wise then it goes.

 

[mad_egg]

Although I could very easily live without it, I do love the buzz of competing.

I couldn't live without jumping though! At home or at competitions.

 

[Faithkat]

I don't even RIDE my mare, let alone compete! LOL. OK, she's very pregnant now but I've had her well over a year and I've never even sat on her! (I'm sure you all think I'm mad)