Does your mojo ever come back?

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Muddywellies

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After a really unsuccessful year competing last year where my results were pretty dire, I'm going into 2020 with absolutely no fire in my belly. No plans, nothing. I've lost my way with BD who I feel simply do not support true amsteur/grassroots riders. Even the area festivals seem to be dominated by semi pros nowadays.
I know I could improve, and move up maybe one more level if I pumped more money into training and competing, but I feel all done in. There's more to life than dressage isn't there? Although will I regret not having one more push at this and see where we go with it? I feel quite envious of others around me who have the time and pennies, and moreover, the motivation, and are out there competing and training, with firm goals for this year. Where's my mojo gone?? Will it ever come back??
 
Muddywellies said:
There's more to life than dressage isn't there?
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My reasons for leaving the world of competitive dressage were a little different (I just don't like what BD reward, really), but... well there is so much more out there than dressage. There's no reason to stick at a sport you're not enjoying, take a break, try something new. You might find your drive comes back, or even if it doesn't, you may just have a bit of fun, and there's nothing stopping you from going back to dressage in the future.

There's a whole world of whacky horse sports out there if you look...
 
You say will you regret not having one last push - you can take some time out and still go back to it - dressage is not going to go anywhere just because you aren't chasing it for a while. BD registration costs no more than renewal. Take some time out, enjoy your horse if you miss the competing go back to it
 
Roxylola said:
You say will you regret not having one last push - you can take some time out and still go back to it - dressage is not going to go anywhere just because you aren't chasing it for a while. BD registration costs no more than renewal. Take some time out, enjoy your horse if you miss the competing go back to it
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I feel that time is against me to some extent, as pony is 15 now. I hear of people with 18 year old horses putting them into semi retirement. I've been really focused on getting as far as we can before she starts getting creaky (or we both start getting creaky!) and figured I might have three of four more years left of competing with her. But I think I've pushed it that much that I've taken the fun out of it. Add to that, BD seem to be going in a direction where I just can't fit in so I have lost my way with it all.
 
I've had a couple of years out of competing completely as daughter lost interest and various other things. I'm joining the local riding club again to dip my toe in the horsey/fun/competitive bit of the horsey world again.
I have enjoyed time with just me and my boys, but now I want a bit more again so we'll see how it goes. If its not fun why bother is my view on competition these days.
 
My mojo ran off and hid many years ago; still haven't found out where it's got to, but as JFTD said there are plenty of other things to do with ponies, even elderly ones.
 
Muddywellies said:
I feel that time is against me to some extent, as pony is 15 now. I hear of people with 18 year old horses putting them into semi retirement. I've been really focused on getting as far as we can before she starts getting creaky (or we both start getting creaky!) and figured I might have three of four more years left of competing with her. But I think I've pushed it that much that I've taken the fun out of it. Add to that, BD seem to be going in a direction where I just can't fit in so I have lost my way with it all.
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That's fair, but in some respects having a year out might increase the longevity of your pony, I think it depends on the level you are wanting to work at as well. If you are aiming for GP it's a much more exacting task than medium for instance and that work takes it's toll to get them to the level.
Have some fun, maybe stick the competing money towards some clinics or doing something a bit different and see how you feel in summer
 
it's hard to tell from your post whether you want to get your mojo back or not?
I actually do think that BD are there for the grass roots, my personal experience on cheapo project horses has been really positive but I do invest a huge amount of time and all the funds i possibly can spare on training, and I work really really hard at it. My training is what I keep horses for really, i have a great relationship with my trainer and I find that's where my motivation comes from.

It's still not enough to compete with the pros but I get a lot of personal satisfaction from each horse's journey, defying the odds set by their background or breeding and just competing against my peers instead.

What kind of horse do you have? I've enjoyed the associated champs on my native and will be looking to qualify for the TB or ROR one now too. Have you thought about doing some music classes for variety? I love riding to music and writing a floorplan to show your horse's strengths off. And now there are music classes at the area festivals I am noticing organisers are trying to put more music classes on for people to qualify at.

Alternatively if you really aren't feeling it, then there's no reason why you should stick at it, it's an expensive and time consuming hobby so it should be enjoyable at least most of the time ;)
 
I love FSM and did dabble a few yrs ago but now the cost is prohibitive. At £120 to get the music done it is just not feasible. And I'm absolutely useless with IT so doing it myself is a non starter. I had looked at doing the Native Breeds Champs but 1 it's a long journey. 2 it's winter and camping out in our old draughty lorry just wouldn't be fun 3 classes were huge 4 no bronze sections. I'm pretty tired or seeing local pro riders excelling in the area festivals at levels far lower than they are capable of. Tho I'm interested to see how the new set up will be. Might make it fairer perhaps.
As others have said, maybe a break will be good. Certainly no aims for GP so I guess the level we are at is doable for a 16/17/18 Yr old horse.
 
I guess it boils down to what you want from the sport really. I know I'm never going to win an area festival on my collection of underdogs but I enjoy the process anyway, have made friends that I see only at shows and quite like adventuring further afield for an overnighter like native champs. If that doesn't float your boat then def enjoy the time out and see how you feel later on :)
 
Look out for your local Trec club's activities. If you have basic Dressage, SJ and xc under your belt ( and I mean Basic!) you might find you have a real star at Trec - especially if you can read maps!!
 
January can be the worst time of year for finding motivation. Maybe have a break until the spring arrives and see how you feel then. The constant dark and miserable weather can make it hard for even the most motivated soul! Your horse won't mind and not much will be lost in 8-12 weeks.
 
Fanatical said:
January can be the worst time of year for finding motivation. Maybe have a break until the spring arrives and see how you feel then. The constant dark and miserable weather can make it hard for even the most motivated soul! Your horse won't mind and not much will be lost in 8-12 weeks.
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You're right, winter isn't much fun. But after another very disappointing AF last summer I haven't done any BD since. Dressage has been a huge part of my life in recent years and I'm worried that I won't go back to it. I still train, but I'm not competing, and I'm not missing it. I'm worried that I won't feel the urge to compete again, yet I know if I put my mind to it, that we could go up at least another level. I'm worried that I'm giving up before reaching our full potential.
 
Muddywellies said:
You're right, winter isn't much fun. But after another very disappointing AF last summer I haven't done any BD since. Dressage has been a huge part of my life in recent years and I'm worried that I won't go back to it. I still train, but I'm not competing, and I'm not missing it. I'm worried that I won't feel the urge to compete again, yet I know if I put my mind to it, that we could go up at least another level. I'm worried that I'm giving up before reaching our full potential.
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There's nothing wrong with training at home and not competing. Train, train, train away then one day you may get the urge and be able to go straight out at the higher level. Some people don't actually compete that much - look at Carl and Charlotte, you often don't see their horses until they reach close to GP.
 
Muddywellies said:
I'm worried that I'm giving up before reaching our full potential.
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Why does that worry you? Do you think your horse cares if she fulfils her potential or do you think she's happy being loved and worked etc. I'm pretty sure it's the second.
I blame countless school reports and parents evenings for this worry about fulfilling potential. Horses generally are expensive, competing more so, if you don't love it why spend your money on it. You've done as much as you've wanted to do up to now and that is enough, you are enough, your horse is enough. It's good enough
 
Fanatical said:
There's nothing wrong with training at home and not competing. Train, train, train away then one day you may get the urge and be able to go straight out at the higher level. Some people don't actually compete that much - look at Carl and Charlotte, you often don't see their horses until they reach close to GP.
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Hmm, that's a very good point.
 
Roxylola said:
Why does that worry you? Do you think your horse cares if she fulfils her potential or do you think she's happy being loved and worked etc. I'm pretty sure it's the second.
I blame countless school reports and parents evenings for this worry about fulfilling potential. Horses generally are expensive, competing more so, if you don't love it why spend your money on it. You've done as much as you've wanted to do up to now and that is enough, you are enough, your horse is enough. It's good enough
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Because i do enjoy a challenge, and I've loved taking her up through the levels. No you're right, she's perfectly happy not competing. She's a wonderful horse, albeit a non typical dressage horse, and it's been so satisfying getting to where we've got to. But last year I burnt the candle at both ends, with a extremely stressful job, plus trying to qualify for the area festivals at two levels. It zapped my money and energy and actually didn't really achieve much. With the two area festival seasons now and shorter qualifying periods, I simply don't have the time or money to go out competing as much as I would need to to get the points I need (I'm very capable of producing some pretty poor tests so it can take me some time to qualify).
Think I just need a quiet year this year. Going to skip the area festivals and put a bit more investment into my lovely husband and have a bit of a breather. Will still train, and maybe do the odd low key comp, and see how I feel in a few months.
 
I couldn't manage my old horse in the warm up so I never competed him. However, I loved the training and found it challenging enough learning to do some of the fancy stuff even though we only ever went out to do test rides. Rose is OK in a warm up but it's still the training that I get the greatest fun and sense of achievement out of. I've got friends who have had their ambitions completely trashed because their horse has gone lame or worse, although your horse is 15, that's not old and he's still sound and healthy, why not just take the pressure off yourself and do something different? A nicely schooled horse can turn it's hoof to lots of things. Rose loves doing pole work and if I was braver would probably pop round a SJ course quite nicely. I bet you'll feel differently though once the better weather arrives.
 
I made the decision to cancel any comeptitions planned for the winter and just put the money and time into training. I dont want to in winter, so I'm not going to. I'm saving my pony for a few bigger events over the summer. Theres no shame in not competing ever again if you dont want to. Or do you think this may actually be related to your pony ageing? In your mind, shes no longer a potential anything and her compeitive days are numbered, so whats the point kind of thing?
 
Leo Walker said:
I made the decision to cancel any comeptitions planned for the winter and just put the money and time into training. I dont want to in winter, so I'm not going to. I'm saving my pony for a few bigger events over the summer. Theres no shame in not competing ever again if you dont want to. Or do you think this may actually be related to your pony ageing? In your mind, shes no longer a potential anything and her compeitive days are numbered, so whats the point kind of thing?
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No its the opposite, I feel she has an awful lot to offer still, with training and dedication. What has slipped is the dedication, and I feel I'm letting us both down. I desperately want my mojo back and I'm afraid it might be gone for good (I might add, I'm creeping closer to 50 than I'm entirely comfortable with)
 
I sort of gave up competing after I had a child a few years ago, time was the main factor that got in the way.
I moved to a yard that has mega hacking and a rubbish arena, I mainly enjoy a plod in the woods alone now for some quiet time to myself.
I have to say these few years of hacking although haven’t been great for my riding have been amazing for my horse, now the odd time I go out she actually feels better for it!
I’m not planning on finding my mojo again I enjoy the horses in different ways now and I wouldn’t want to go back to that constant chase of results / training and qualifications etc.
 
What about dabbling in showing? Being 15yo your pony can do veteran classes which don't allow professionals in the classes. You don't have to be a member of anyone or anything unless you want to qualify for the championships. It's easy and from what I have heard and seen most of the veteran crew are lovely, welcoming people!
 
I'm sorry you feel like this because you sound unhappy. Your horse couldnt care less whether she competes or not, she cares that you love her, feed her and look after her. I think you need to be kinder to yourself, riding is not your job, its what you do for enjoyment, so if you are not enjoying competing, dont do it. Take time away from competing and find what you really love, whether thats training at home, hacking or even a different discipline, find your joy, and your horse will thank you for it.
 
It does you just have to find something to ignite it. I lost the passion for competing after Kia was retiring and showing signs he didn’t want to compete seriously anymore. I went and got another horse more capable but that just didn’t work out as no matter how much I looked after her she was just accident prone.

Ive ridden/schooled/backed a few peoples horses and two have given me the bug to try but I’d rather do it on my own horse. My young Welsh D has got me back into showing inhand and that’s giving me the drive to get back into things once he’s ridden.

You have to be inspired I think. Just plodding away does nothing for the competition drive IME
 
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