Feeling useless after a fall..

[FabioandFreddy]

Hope you're ok after your fall.

Look on the bright side - at least you've realised BEFORE you bought the youngster that maybe it wasn't a good idea.

I bought Fabio as a 4 year old as my first horse after a couple of years break from riding - why when i was looking for a 10 year old all rounder did i buy a just broken 4 year old?? Because he was Palomino and i fell in love with him! When i think about it now, i realise that i was very naive and have been extremely lucky that i have had no major issues with him and he's a cracking horse. But hearing other peoples experience with youngsters i'd never risk it again!!!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I have thought about buying a schoolmaster type. The only thing that worries me is the amount of BD points it would be allocated. I know you can downgrade a horse but I think this then means you cannot qualify for championships etc.
I imagine it would be hard to find a trained horse with little points.

I'm sorry and I don't mean to be unkind but I think you're trying to run before you can walk. IMO you need something that you can learn on long before you think about BD points.
Why not spend a small amount of your generous budget on a 'been there, done it all' all-rounder which you can get to know well and do some very low-level RC comps when you are confident enough to canter on it? You could always sell it on to another rider who wants to build their confidence and then get something with a bit more 'class' to affiliate in a couple of years.

 

[0310Star]

I'm sorry and I don't mean to be unkind but I think you're trying to run before you can walk. IMO you need something that you can learn on long before you think about BD points.
Why not spend a small amount of your generous budget on a 'been there, done it all' all-rounder which you can get to know well and do some very low-level RC comps when you are confident enough to canter on it? You could always sell it on to another rider who wants to build their confidence and then get something with a bit more 'class' to affiliate in a couple of years.

I think this is a fair point, and probably something worth thinking about!

 

[Goldenstar]

I would like to have something nice enough to do a nice dressage test. With quality enough movement and paces to compete BD.



I would love to jump small fences, but not sure if I would ever be brave enough. I used to do a bit of jumping as a teenager never tried it since!.

You need to take a reality check .
It is sometimes possible to get a first horse with the movement to be competitive BD with the temperament of a first horse but it won't be easy.
IMO you need a proper first horse to learn on and own ,experianced people round you should be able to find you this horse you can continue lessons on this horse and ride others in training as you develop your skills when you are out and about and confident at unaffiliated level then think about the next one do not over horse your self there in lies the road to disaster.

 

[Cortez]

You need to take a reality check .
It is sometimes possible to get a first horse with the movement to be competitive BD with the temperament of a first horse but it won't be easy.
IMO you need a proper first horse to learn on and own ,experianced people round you should be able to find you this horse you can continue lessons on this horse and ride others in training as you develop your skills when you are out and about and confident at unaffiliated level then think about the next one do not over horse your self there in lies the road to disaster.

This ^^ is very good advice. Sooo many people buy unsuitable first horses and then regret it, and also miss out on all the fun you are supposed to be having. If your goal is affiliated BD competition, then you are a very long way from being able to achieve this even if you do buy a schoolmaster: as you have unfortunately found out it is a lot harder than it looks. If you bought a 2 year old for your instructor to bring on, realistically it would be five or six years before you were able to ride it competitively - if ever.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Whose idea was it to buy a 2 year old??
To me it would seem as if the instructor is taking advantage by getting a novice rider to buy her a horse to produce and compete in exchange for lessons on her own (unsuitable?) stallions. No point trying to get you to develop "feel" on well-trained horses if they're too sensitive to the common mistakes of a novice and end up wrecking your confidence.
IMHO a good instructor/friend would help you to find a suitable schoolmaster type, as others have suggsted above, for you to develop your skills and confidence on.

But don't feel useless because you're clearly not! You've obviously cantered successfully before so just chalk this one up as a bad experience and try to focus on the good canters you've had. xx

Totally agree. I wouldn't write of RS's either, some have excellent horses, its just finding the right one. And for what its worth I have been riding most of my life and still (very regularly) have pants days and wonder if I would be better off collecting stamps!