Does anyone stll manage to compete after having a baby?

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sparky1981

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I did my first bs competition today after giving birth.my baby is 3 months old now.we did really well but it was hard getting everything organised the day before and on the morning what with all horseys things,my things and babies as she came to.she was as good as gold and mainly slept between feeds.it took 3 of us though and was fairly hectic.does anyone else manage it?
 
I don't really compete much, just the odd RC dressage, but didn't do it again until my last one was over a year old and don't suppose I will do much this year either (current baby due at beginning of May).

My big daughter (20) and I were discussing this today,she is looking for a youngster, and as I as I am the only one who can drive the lorry we were saying how it's good timing.

I take my hat off to you managing to compete so soon, both physically, mentally and logistically. I cant get my OH to help us at a show for love not money.
 
we actually did the best rounds weve ever done today.my horse has had quite abit of time off too during my pregnancy but we started riding again in december so today was a tester to see how it went.we only stayed for the morning and didnt have to early start.i wouldnt want to do it too often.luckily my hubby is brill and so supportive and helpful x
 
it will get easier when the baby gets older and is off the boob! do remember it took 2 to make this baby and daddy will be a perfect babysitter left with bottles/nappies etc once your little one is a bit older! deligation is the name of the game............. on the days that require it!
 
Well done for today. I am due in 4 weeks and can't wait to get back out at some point this year. Hubby still plans on going away racing his bike for weekends so should be able to get him to help me out at the odd show. Hope you get out more, soon be summer too!
 
My goodness you did really well to be back competing with a 3 month old!!!!!!!!! I've only just managed to do an on-line competition and DD is 8 months. I think a 'real' competition is a distant dream at the moment! (OH is not horsey and will not spend his day at a show holding onto a screaming baby so I can compete).
 
I managed-just! I had fantastic help from my mum who held the baby from about 4months while I did a few local hunter trials and a few ode's when kiddies where slightly older. I don,t compete as much as most, but really look forward to it when I can. Now kids are 8 and rising 6 , hoping it will get even easier!!
 
ofcourseyoucan said:
it will get easier when the baby gets older and is off the boob! do remember it took 2 to make this baby and daddy will be a perfect babysitter left with bottles/nappies etc once your little one is a bit older! deligation is the name of the game............. on the days that require it!
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This^^^^^ Daddy has to do his fair share too....after all you spent 9 months carrying babba and gave birth to him/her and went through a lot.....just remind him of that!!!! :D
 
Thanks 4 replies.when I got there yesterday I did think am I completely nuts 4 doing this!I'm hoping 2 get out once a month.you do need a few people there I.e one 2 hold horse while you enter&walk the course&one to hold the baby.she stayed happily in her pram in the nice heated cafe as was an indoor event which was ideal.don't think I'd do it in the pouring rain outside!
 
We dont have children yet, but one day we will.

Ive made it quite clear with my Husband that whilst I may have to ease up whilst pregnant on my own hobby/lifestyle, he won't have to change his (Gym/Motobikes!).

However, when the baby is born I will NOT spend all weekend looking after the baby whilst he continues his own life/hobbies, gym on nights, weekends etc. It will be more than equal.
 
Had to change disciplines, but find it easier to keep ponies fit for polo - when i get a chance to play- rather than attemting to keep them up to scratch for RC, or low level affiliated eventing.

Played my first match tournament when the wee one was 14 weeks old and had to do the nappy changing and breast feeding at half time- pretty woman it was not!

I guess its about focusing on what you want to achieve them working toward it. I have friends who juggle the same- children -husband -work -ponies, and we all say similar things, it is a constant juggle to keep it all going...i feel guilty spending time on one and not the other...I am running out of energy...etc but we keep each other going.

Good luck to all the horsey working mums out there, we sometimes need the extra help!!!
 
In a word.. not really :s I struggle to find time to do anything with my horse let alone compete at the moment and my youngest has just turned 2. In fact i've just turned her away for three months as i was struggling so much and have literally bought her back into work today!

When my eldest was younger i managed to get out every now and then to important shows (the ones i wanted to qualify for!) but as soon as they hit the age where they are on the move they are 10x harder to look after (no more long napsor sitting quite so quietly lol) and unless you have a really good support network of people who are happy to care for them whilst you compete then it can be quite tricky.

We, for example, have a pretty useless family who never look after their grandchildren meaning unless my hubby has the boys i cannot go out and compete but then if i did i'd like him to come but the boys are not quite old enough to happily tag along (now 2 and 5) so its a bit of a dilemma.

If the grandparents had the boys say every other weekend for a day between them then it would be far less hassle and i am sure i could get out a couple of times a month. My youngest starts pre-school in September so hopefully then it will be easier to find time to ride!
 
Not me, but I've seen a great thing at a BS show. These people arrived in a big wagon, off loaded all horses (3 or 4 I think) it was a sunny day. Then they set up a play pen in the back of the wagon and put the kids in there! They obviously kept a good eye on them, but seemed a great solution :)
 
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