decrease in comp reports

I don't post as I don't event.

I also compete at a fairly low level, no real desire to move up as my horse has a limit and I can't afford to buy a new one and I enjoy riding the one I've got. Also I would feel a bit uncomfortable posting as we always did OK and it would feel like bragging - I think the british mentality likes it better when you fail.

I also know that people I know in real life read these forums and at times I am embarassed to post on here.

I also haven't been posting as I haven't sat on my horse in 3 months as I fell off and smashed my arm to pieces. I didn't post aboout that.
 
I have to say I only really read & reply on the eventing reports, (sorry dressage & showjumping people). But I can understand why they are not so many reports now as the few I have done I haven't really had many replys back to, but this wont stop me doing them & I love reading everybody elses adventures, as to me this is what they are. :D
 
JDChaser said:
I've never understood this attitude. HHO is all one webpage afterall, it's not like seperate rooms or anything?! This idea that different people only post in different 'areas' of the forum is so strange.

Sorry, off topic OP! :)
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It's not separate rooms, no, but quite a lot of people seem to only go to one section of the forum.

worMy said:
further to that, I also very very very rarely venture out of Comp riders!
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Same here.

HotToTrot said:
OK, I shall regale you all with my next Eridge debacle then. We can place bets as to what I'll forget. 10-1 dressage test, 30-7 girth, 138-6 horse. Takers? I am there on Saturday, last up in section A (PN). What about you?
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You forgot 3-1 on favourite: the course!
Will PM you.

Saratoga said:
b) i'm not sure posting all your information on a public forum is a sensible idea.
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This is another thing that makes me hesitate. I found out once that someone I used to know had been following my progress on posts but never commenting. Finally one day they commented but still didn't let on who they were. Thought that was a bit spooky - why the secrecy?
 
have to say ones I like reading most are ones where you can follows people's progress then when they hit milestones. so for eg figjam jumping those bloody huge fences at her xc lesson the other week, chloe's show jumping and belv, I find that really interesting to read and like you can keep up with what has been going on like a story.

I don't feel too intimidated to post my unaff reports ;) though I didnt do one for latest attempt (and subsequent retiring of pony from all future!) ODE. I will do them for if I feel we have really performed at our level, I did one for our first BD/BSJA for example and so them for RC areas, because for us, that is our champs :)
 
pod said:
I tend to lurk in CR most of all - most people who post in here seem quite level headed compared to some of the more interesting characters in New Lounge. I love reading the comp reports (esp. ones with pics!), I dont reply though as I can't imagine who'd be interested in a total numpty like me saying nice things - I have no particular talent anywhere and therefore no positive input to make. I dont post reports myself as I suspect nobody would get too excited about my (usually) disastrous attempts at unaffiliated prelim dressage or crappy RC SJ. :)

Lurking is a safer option for no-hopers like me - but doesn't mean the comp reports aren't appreciated! You can learn a lot through other peoples experiences! :)
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Ditto 100% I love reading everyone's competition reports but I wouldn't dream of commenting as I have nothing to add - not even a humorous remark :( I can see why that would be disheartening though to someone who has taken the time to post a report, so I'll make it my mission to reply, albeit it no-one needs to read what I say :D
 
I was excited when I started going back to competitions, asked advice about my first one, and when I had done it I posted a report that got only 2 replies. One of which wasn't nice.
I cant be bothered to write out a report for hardly any replies. I also notice when some people post comp results they get hundreds. I dont mean to sound bitter btw. I just think I dont come accross as well as I'd like online. But am normal and nice in person! ...honestly!
 
I have thought a bit about this since this thread first appeared and I suppose the first question is 'why do people post reports?'. From my own point of view there are several reasons.
- It acts as a good review of the day. For instance if you've had a problem XC but been OK dressage and SJing it's very easy to come home dwelling on the XC as it's freshest in your mind. However takng time to think through it and write it down brings it into perspective.
- The presence of like-minded people. My husband probably couldn't care less barring when it impacts on his own life (like if I come home in a foul mood!), my parents haven't a clue, and although I have horsey friends few of them event so have no idea what sort of level of competition etc. I've been to and why an 8th place rosette is actually an achievement.
- Self gratification: let's face it, most of us like getting replies which say 'gosh, that was fab'. I'm lucky in that I haven't been on the receiving end of too much flak but once apon a time I got a lot of stick over a competition report (mostly from people who hadn't even been within sniffing distance of the level I was competing at!) and it wasn't pleasant at all. I'm still here, but it was touch and go whether I came back or not.

I do tend to only write reports on BE but enjoy reading all reports so long as they are well written and preferably illustrated. A smidge of humour or self-deprecation goes a long way and although I am very quickly turned off by poor spelling/punctuation/lack of wit/text speak I do think we have some fabulous writers on here who tell a great story.

I defnitely don't reply to as many as I used to - and most often now only to those people that I know. I agree that things disappear quickly and that is definitely a factor.

I think the publicity angle is one which has worried me for some time. I was very careful for a long time to avoid photographs (especially those in which you could see my number), still don't ever post my number/section openly and had a pseudonym for my last horse. I have relaxed a little now but it is still a slightly odd concept that thousands of people read your posts, some of whom may know you in real life and it is very disconcerting when strangers come up to you competing to say hello and know all about you.

For this reason I try to keep my reports light-hearted, I don't post anything which I am not happy being in the public domain and keep personal details to a minimum.

Those people that I have met purely through this forum (including Baydale, Tabledancer, Meardsall_Millie, Joss, KatB and several others) have mostly become firm friends and give me a lot of help and support now away from the forum (in person/phone/FB etc.) so perhaps that has slightly reduced my need to interact with strangers on here!

For my part I shall probably keep posting BE reports as it is beneficial for me, whether they are read or not. If I can entertain anyone through a long dull day in the office that's a bonus!
 
I always read them and try to comment; I was hesitant about doing my own as I didn't think anyone would want to read it but took the plunge today and have had quite a few replies!
 
I think the people who get lots of replies are people who post their comp reports all the time and it's like a story how they are doing and you read because you want the next installment.
I must say I am guilty sometimes of scanning down the list and only Reading the comp reports from posters names that I recognise for the above reason. You have to be in it to win it! Just keep posting and people will start to recognise your username and follow your reports.
I must say the negative attitude by some to not posting about their local or unaffilliated efforts is a bit disheartening and makes me think that other people who do this (ummm me) are making a fool of themselves.
 
MegaBeast said:
There's also maybe a feeling amongst some people on here that unless it's big and impressive it's not worth reporting on. I've read some comments in reports about it was "only" a 90cm class or "only" 1m which to some people, well a lot on here, is something to aspire to or indeed the level at which they are competing ie BE Intro/PN or BN/Discovery. Comments like that aren't particularly helpful and belittle those who are indeed working at that level.
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Megabeast, I couldn't have put it better myself. I am 47, work full time, have a knee injury which creates a back problem. I have been building up to 95cm and 1m classes and hope to go BE90. If I got to pre-novice I would be thrilled. If I go to dressage and get 70% prelim I am elated!
 
I don't often post because it would be exceptionally difficult to remain anonymous after posting photos...(wish i had a bay!)....you wouldn't even begin to imagine how many lurkers there are...so i think its a huge leap of faith to put yourself out there for all their scruitiny.
Yes people reply on the forum, but alot more keep their traps shut and just pass judgement (good and bad).
This is probably a fairly negative viewpoint, but i know from a showing back ground, plenty of people read forums, and then watch you compete...and are considerably more judgemental about you as they 'know' more about you and your horse...where you've been...what you've done....whats more, those who post have no idea who the lurkers are....they are strangers....and don't underestimate how many of them there are!

Probably badly explained there but i hope you get what i mean!

However, facebook pretty much serves the same purpose. I post videos and photos there, and can control which friends see them! Win win!
I guess I just like to meet people in person before i bear my soul with them....!! :D :D
 
Jul said:
This is another thing that makes me hesitate. I found out once that someone I used to know had been following my progress on posts but never commenting. Finally one day they commented but still didn't let on who they were. Thought that was a bit spooky - why the secrecy?
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Yes I thought about doing that when I discovered who Farma was (and she hadn't identified me). I thought I could, you know, make comments such as "So you didn't turn your horse out this morning. Interesting." or "He jumped really well, but could have been more forward in the warm up". Then I decided that she might just get rather freaked out, so I owned up to being me.

On a less flippant note, a lot of people on here (particularly those with websites) are very open as to their identity. I do enjoy reading these websites and I'll always have a look if I see a link in the sig. It would be interesting to hear their views on letting forum readers know who they are. Chloe, you're on this thread, any thoughts? I'm on the fence. I don't see any real harm in it, but I think I'd prefer it if it was reciprocated, which of course it isn't.
 
I used to post all the time when I was competing BS & BD most w'ends, but Adrian has been broken for ages & Trev the racer hasn't been ready.

I keep the horses at home, there is no-one horsey at work, so I have no-one to 'share' with except the people on here! It's fun sharing the good stuff, but also it's de-fusing to share the bad stuff.

I'm not sure if I'll post once Trev is out n about, which should be very shortly, as a) we'll be starting unaff & b) we don't event. I probably will.

I also agree with the others that posts 'vanish' too quickly, & it's irritating how they default to last post instead of thread start time.
 
HotToTrot said:
On a less flippant note, a lot of people on here (particularly those with websites) are very open as to their identity. I do enjoy reading these websites and I'll always have a look if I see a link in the sig. It would be interesting to hear their views on letting forum readers know who they are. Chloe, you're on this thread, any thoughts? I'm on the fence. I don't see any real harm in it, but I think I'd prefer it if it was reciprocated, which of course it isn't.
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Well if you register with BE for instance immediately your details - name, nearest town, horse's name, and results are there for all to see. BDWP also lists this and many unaff events have their results available online too with personal details. Basically as soon as you fill out that entry form your name and your horses name have been published, and it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to find out more using just that info alone...

Do a google on your own name and look at all the results you will be surprised at what comes up!!!

In this day and age I think that you CAN'T stop your details getting on the internet if your are active online so you just need to be careful. I use a forwarding email address from my site and only reply with my personal email when I know the contact is genuine, I don't display a tel number or any address details. I have high security settings on my fb and only accept people with mutual friends and who look 'normal' ahahhha :)

If like me you are trying to get sponsors you have to 'put yourself out there' in order for that to work.

Since I launched my site in Oct 08 I've only had 1 odd incident and that was when I initially had my mob number on site and a man called offering me money, and then asked for my address to send it to, I said email me and I'll email you my address (with no intention of doing so) and he never emailed so disaster averted.

Also I'm a black belt in karate and drive around with 4 hungry Dobermans in my car at all times!!!!! and remember that wierdos are few and far between and the precautions you take to avoid them may mean you miss out on meeting a million other new wonderful people....life is for living not hiding :)
 
I posted about my first XC and got some lovely responses but my dressage report's never got much interest and I doubt many people would be interested in my future baby XC reports - if I do post them in will be in New Lounge - we're not competing at a high enough level to be classed as "Competition Riders" - probably shouldn't ever post in this section but I do love everyone elses reports and find it a very friendly sub section of the larger forum.
 
On the topic of writing/not writing reports because people feel a certain level is too "lowly" to warrant report- I really don't think there's any reason to feel this way, like others on this thread have said, it's nice to see folk's journeys and see the improvement, rise inf confidence etc. Spookypony and Pidgeon are two good examples of this! :)

I also think that in order to get something back (from anything, not just forums!), you need to put in too. So by being more involved, commenting more on other threads, more folk will recognise your name and be more inclined to read/comment on your threads/reports. Also, if you can train your OH up to be a semi-pro 'tog and can add lots of piccies in to brighten your blethering it seems to help?! :p

On the subject of identity, I can see where folk are coming from. At first when I posted on HHO, I tried to keep names/locations out of posts, but when I started competing and sharing results/pictures, I figured if someone was really determined (and sad enough?!) to figure out who I was, then they would.

My theory is that I've got nothing to hide- I'm not making up false results, saying I'm doing/not doing one thing then doing/not doing another etc and the benefits of being part of a (mostly!) friendly community like CR outweighs the potential negatives of negative grumblers. (there's probably plenty of them standing at the side of arenas/XC courses in real life anyway, same as lurkers on a forum?!) I've luckily never had any hassle or stress off another forum member and have definitely made many lovely new friends through this place. :)
 
I would love to post reports but after the lambasting i got when i posted that my new girl had arrived and the hell i got for my stables i was just like 'meh' I am afraid.

I am hoping to finish of this summer with a few XCs under my belt for my new girl as she loves jumping and I would love to share but the last thing I need when building up a lasting confidence with my horse is people slating us.

I am all for 'shorten you reins, sit up, heels down etc CC is not a bother for me as in the end it all helps, its the killers you get who are just out to be nasty and I can get that in RL lol!!:D

I also think tho that people should not just post if they get 6th or below its all an achievement. i love reading the threads as it inspires me!!:D

Nikki xxx
 
Chloe_GHE said:
Well if you register with BE for instance immediately your details - name, nearest town, horse's name, and results are there for all to see. BDWP also lists this and many unaff events have their results available online too with personal details. Basically as soon as you fill out that entry form your name and your horses name have been published, and it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to find out more using just that info alone...

Do a google on your own name and look at all the results you will be surprised at what comes up!!!

In this day and age I think that you CAN'T stop your details getting on the internet if your are active online so you just need to be careful. I use a forwarding email address from my site and only reply with my personal email when I know the contact is genuine, I don't display a tel number or any address details. I have high security settings on my fb and only accept people with mutual friends and who look 'normal' ahahhha :)

If like me you are trying to get sponsors you have to 'put yourself out there' in order for that to work.

Since I launched my site in Oct 08 I've only had 1 odd incident and that was when I initially had my mob number on site and a man called offering me money, and then asked for my address to send it to, I said email me and I'll email you my address (with no intention of doing so) and he never emailed so disaster averted.

Also I'm a black belt in karate and drive around with 4 hungry Dobermans in my car at all times!!!!! and remember that wierdos are few and far between and the precautions you take to avoid them may mean you miss out on meeting a million other new wonderful people....life is for living not hiding :)
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Yes, all very true, thanks! I guess the difference between your details appearing via the BE site and posting reports on this one is that here you're sharing your experiences with people, whereas anyone looking me up on BE would come away none the wiser other than knowing that I am not very good at eventing and I live in London!

Re your dodgy call - I had some similar emails when I sold my lorry! I genuinely never knew that I was related to a west African prince who had gone into hiding from persecutors and needed money to escape. I'm royalty, I tells you!
 
firewell said:
I must say the negative attitude by some to not posting about their local or unaffilliated efforts is a bit disheartening and makes me think that other people who do this (ummm me) are making a fool of themselves.
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Oh no, not at all! Didn't mean for my comments to be taken like that :o I'm just a massive wimp!

Maybe if I can get someone to take photos I'll work up the bottle and post a report about the stressage tomorrow. Will probably consist of 'got B out into the field, at which point he bolted. Has anyone seen this horse: Bay, 16.2hh TB. Information leading to re-capture will be rewarded'. But never mind, eh? :p
 
I don't think lowly reports are bad, but you need to jazz it up a little with interesting details.

I like reading the reports which go into detail about warms up, with witty anecdotes, rather than "my horse was fab etc etc"

I have no problem in posting unsuccessful reports, which is just as well given my form has been awful recently

The only thing I don't post about is showing, as hard to say something witty about standing around sweating for over an hour while the judge decides if they like your horse or not...:D
 
I haven't been on very much recenty as i'm having a very quiet horsey time in run up to my wedding due to being manically busy and very poor!

I do post regularly and don't compete at a very high level BUT as i enjoy reading reports of others competitions at all levels i think there might be a bit of interest in mine too :) :)

I am very easily identifiable from photos due to my pony being unusual but have never had anything but lovely comments from people on here, not only on the forum but in real life. I have also made some fab friends through here too so i dont really see a problem with being identified. (**touches wood frantically in case some weirdo finds out where i live :p**)
 
I think it's fair to say that lots of people read the reports, but many don't feel like their comment would be appreciated as they aren't part of the competition riders 'clique' (sorry, awful word but you know what I mean) as they don't event or compete.
 
I like reading everyone's reports - have been sorry to see some of my favourite posters fade out, hopefully once the season's over and winter/darkness/boredom sets it, they'll all be back. When I have something to post, I will - currently bit manic at work!

I don't mind people knowing who I am, it would only be a problem if it affected my work etc. Only once have I been upset by a careless comment from a nice lady on here who obviously didn't mean for me to be upset. Truth is we can't all have uber-star horses nor the balls to ride them so I do enjoy living vicariously through the better-horsed better riders on here. Long may it continue.
 
After what happened to me last year I absolutely swore blind I would never post another pic of me riding or a comp report again. Then I had a thoroughly crappy time with Ted being ill, again I had to sit on my hands not to talk about it all the time, we did a few comps and I stood by my word and said nothing. But when I went out the other week and did well I was so proud of myself and him that I WANTED to show him off (no other word for it, sorry), and prove that I AM good enough and that I can ride.

Whether I do another report again, I cannot say - I have laid the ghosts to rest now and happy that I have. I have let this forum dictate who I am for far too long, and I refuse to do it anymore!
 
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