Eventer in need of advice!

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tortoise

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Apologies in advance for a long post, I am not a usual forum user but I am at my wit's end!
I am reasonably competitive at BE100/Novice and I have my BHS stage 3, am training for stage 4. I'm lucky enough to have a KWPN mare and also a 4yo ISH who I am meant to be producing to event for the end of this season. I've 'ridden all my life', pony clubbed, etc and loved every second of it.

Recently I've been feeling so negative and I don't know what to do! Any advice would be appreciated. I have regular lessons and my instructor just says to 'be more positive' but I'm stuck.

It all just suddenly feels like hard work. I finished a schooling session almost in tears yesterday because I felt like the horse isn't making progress and I was riding so badly. We've had one run so far which was fine and I'm meant to be at an unaff event this weekend for a confidence boost but I feel like withdrawing (I have no reason to). I have friends going to the grassroots champs and my plan was to aim for the regional finals this year but now I just feel like it's all work and no play. One friend asked me to school her horse for her before grassroots and I've been making excuses because I don't want to, I feel like I'm not riding how I should at the moment and with her big event coming up it would be a disaster.

Others must have felt like this in the past? Any suggestions would be truly appreciated.
Yours, a forlorn eventer
 
Why not just take the pressure off and have some fun? Go out hacking, go for a fun xc school where it isnt all working on big or technical stuff, take a trip to the beach etc. I generally find my horses go so much better when I take the pressure off and we both chill out about the whole thing- it's amazing how much their schooling progresses through taking a break from schooling every once in a while!
 
Last year was not great for eventing, the weather made it all such hard work with so many events cancelled it seemed to be a waste of time trying to improve or plan, this season has almost started the way last year ended so it is hard to feel really positive about preparation.
Maybe a change of trainer even just a few one off lessons with a fresh approach, a clinic or just a trip to SJ or dressage will give you some enthusiasm the other thing is to have an aim for the season, something attainable and realistic that requires a bit of work to get to without being too much pressure.
 
Haven't got any great advice, but didn't want to read and run.

When I worked with horses and then went up to my horse at a different yard at the end of the day, I struggled to find any enthusiasm. Can you take some time out in the week away from horses, make an afternoon where you do something else?

Maybe it's all got a bit serious, so as the other poster suggested, take the pressure off yourself and go enjoy your young horse hacking?

Or are you carrying a virus or something that is just dragging you down? Check out your own health as you would a horse, make sure your diet is not lacking something major, are you getting enough sleep, etc.

Can't think of anything else but I can say from experience that everyone gets down sometimes with their riding, and there just doesn't seem to be a reason, but it will pass :)
 
Take a few days off riding do something different then press reset and start again it's been a tough spring .
Ask your self the question do you complete because you love the horses or because you want to win, you dont need to complete to justify having lovely horses if you want to take a completing break do so.
I agree what's been said about pressure just enjoy riding for a little while .
There's a great book , That winning feeling by Jane Savoie .
It really helped me at one point .
 
I know exactly how you feel. I've got 3 young horses progressing nicely, my ex eventer is really clicking into dressage, my exracer is coming on well and my eventer is recovering well from spavin injection. So why do I feel I can't ride?! I've had two falls in 3 weeks and the second was mainly down to incompetence and something I would previously have sat.
My plan of action is to focus on my riding, my position and effectiveness. Then focus on the basics with the horses and really work on straightness.
It does get you down, I've felt like this before and got myself back on track. Your instructor is probably bemused as to why a perfectly good lesson upset you , best thing is to go and have a good cry, feel sorry for your self for a bit then force yourself to pick up. Grit your teeth and think of the guts it takes to jump some of the novice rider frighteners (I can think of a few!) and realise that if you can do that you can help a grassroots horse. Your friend may just want some reassurance that horse feels good.
Not sure I've written that very well, hope you get the gist and feel more positive soon :-)
 
I dont really have any advice but so you dont feel like you're a lone with feeling down, I havent competed properly for about 3 years now with a mare who endedup with a muscle problem and my own accident plus a lack of facilities I decided to turn to buying some lovely yearlings to bring on break and get back into riding then.
The majority are complete angels but I have one who is being total menace to lead on top of that I also bought a 4yo last year who isbeing a right sticky one to break,just feel tototally rubbish and throwing the towel in at the moment.
For me I guess its a major lack of self esteem. . I really hope things pick up for you xxx
 
I agree, the weather's not helped!!

Definitely do something fun :) Even just a nice, zero pressure hack, or would a day out to the gallops or beach be feasible?
 
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