For those that compete - What gives you the biggest thrill?

[Elf On A Shelf]

Everyone has goals and aims when competing. But what gives you the biggest thrill? A young horse getting the hang of it regardless of placing? Winning big classes? Winning a rosette of any colour? Just being there?

For me I love producing youngsters. I love getting foals and bringing them on through their junior showing careers. I'm not fussed for doing ridden classes any more (mainly as I haven't had a ridden horse in a good while). But I do love seeing my youngsters grow and mature with every outing. They don't do many, I don't like over showing any pony, especially youngstock. But what they do do is always worthwhile.

 

[Rumtytum]

I am way down the chain when it comes to competing, but as a Riding School rider I really need a focus which Dressage tests give me and I enjoy practicing towards that goal. Only Prelim (but who knows ??) seeing my percentages improve is gratifying and yes I do love a rosette, sort of validates my efforts.

 

[Boulty]

With the orange one it was that feeling on bigger occasions like championships (ok so it was TREC so bigness is relative!) where he’d step things up a notch and try that little bit harder / argue a little bit less! Best TREC PTV round I’ve ever done was to take the Lvl 1 intermediate champs title. He absolutely outclassed every other horse there (despite more or less breathing fire in the warmup!). Although being honest a day out with the bloodhounds in his favourite location (North Yorks Moors nr Sutton Bank) was equally as special, he literally used to feel like he could go around again and he particularly enjoyed playing in the forest. Gutted I never got to try working equitation with him as feel like he’d have relished it.

The fluff ball has yet to give me that level of thrill tbh. I don’t especially enjoy having to dismount because we are planted and stuck. It’s not particularly fun when he backs off from the leg completely and goes into slug mode. I’m more at the “this is the suffering you have to go through before this hopefully becomes fun “ stage atm.

 

[maya2008]

Successfully going up to the next stage of whatever it is that we’re doing!

 

[nagblagger]

The last time i went to anything was a small local in hand show, novelty classes - first time with Blue, i was relieved when she kept 4 hooves on the ground. and at the end of the day she was calm enough to go in the ring without dragging me round. It's amazing how our goals change on the day.!
When I SJ or team chased (many decades ago and only locally) i was relieved when it was over and i was still onboard.

 

[blodwyn1]

Nowadays it's being able to get on do the bit in the middle and get off without injury which is the success!

 

[Orangehorse]

I think it is when all the hard work has paid off and you achieve success, whatever that success is. So the naughty pony that wouldn't even go into the indoor school, or the one that couldn't canter on the right lead, or the one that napped and tried to go round the fences instead of over them.

When it all comes right, and both horse and rider feel they have had a good day.

 

[First Frost]

I love working with young ridden horses, going to their fist party, right through to them competing in whatever discipline suits them best. My particular passion is producing a really good allrounder who is a lot of fun. I love the idea of getting a horse to the point where hopefully he/she has a solid future because he/she has been well educated and does a valuable job.

 

[ihatework]

I don’t compete but when I did (and now as an owner) it’s the thrill of being at the big stately home type venues with an Olympian in pretty much every direction you look.
Even if you are just making up the numbers.
And when it’s your homebred it’s even more special

 

[SO1]

As an owner of a rare breed (New Forest) for me I have enjoyed being part of a community. I had a lot of fun with Homey. I loved the big county shows. It felt such a privilege to be there and to have a pony who could cope with big atmospheres.

With Bert who is more timid than Homey was I think it will be more challenging but I am not in any rush as he is only 5. I will probably do a bit of dressage anywhere over the winter and look for some of the smaller affiliated shows where there are new forest or m&m classes to start with next year. I don't have my own horse transport so I am quite selective with where I go.

I was lucky with Homey as for many years I kept him on a yard where I could easily hack to shows so I did a lot of riding club dressage and shows with him to start with.

When I was between horses I was at the riding school for a year and enjoyed the dressage competitions there.

One of the reasons for getting a new pony after Homey died was that I do enjoy the county shows even if I didn't only do one or two a year.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

With me it’s youngsters too, all of the achievements. First hack, first canter across a field.. first jump. Then going my our dressage test last year and placing 3rd. Doing our first hunter trial this year and finishing 7th with over 50% being eliminated.

Knowing I’ve taught her everything she knows.. we had a 1-1 lesson with a Grand Prix instructor last week and told what a smart horse she is

 

[J&S]

For me it was (sort of still is) rising to the challenge, what ever that might have been, my ponies were very good all rounders and readily took to new disciplines. Also both the NF mare and the tobiano mare were instrumental in helping my children become successful competitors.

 

[Birker2020]

I used to just enjoy taking part. It was never about winning or getting placed, it was just something I loved, just me and my horse. Something special, a culmination of a partnership I guess.

 

[ycbm]

For those that compete - What gives you the biggest thrill?


Depending on the location, lunch

 

[Orangehorse]

I don’t compete but when I did (and now as an owner) it’s the thrill of being at the big stately home type venues with an Olympian in pretty much every direction you look.
Even if you are just making up the numbers.
And when it’s your homebred it’s even more special

Yes, you are right about that. I used to go to events and think how lucky I was to be able to go to those places and it was certainly a good part of the attraction.

And also you can compete on equal terms with someone who might be a champion - not on their best horse obviously! But in how many other sports could you be lining up alongside a well know name in your sport.

 

[Time for Tea]

I did four Boxing Day point to points a long time ago on my New Forest, they were the most exciting and demanding riding I have ever done. I loved the training, getting the ponies seriously fit, feeling them getting stronger and stronger, till they could gallop for ten minutes. That was the most thrilling competition, I have enjoyed all of the disciplines though, albeit mostly at a basic level. I really enjoyed Le Trec actually, loved the map reading and matching your speed to each section of the orienteering bit. I couldn’t do that now, can’t mount from the ground any more!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Depending on the location, lunch

As I’ve got older food is a big thing! One venue does rubbish burgers.. I’ve chosen the other venue over it because the food is better. How bad is that

 

[blitznbobs]

My biggest thrill ever was winning an elementary on my hairy cob when up against really nice warmbloods… didn’t think I stood a chance but he came out of the box on fire and rode a really smart correct test …. my favourite part was ( and I know this doesn’t make me a nice person) when someone asked me how I did on ‘ your little cob’ and I had the joy of saying 72% knowing full well she’d got in the 60s…

 

[marmalade76]

Biggest thrill for me was team chasing and the one time I did a hunt scurry (they weren't that common then, eg, this was before the golden button). These days I'm a ridiculously nervous rider and don't compete at all.

 

[Cortez]

Winning, but then it was my job.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

It used to be being my best on the day (and if I got placed even better). Now I love the social side of it. A course walk with my mates, falling about with laughter listening to stories from the work week whilst we are wandering around the x-country course are the best.

For me the riding is incidental to a great day out with mates. (As well as a good sausage sandwich washed down the a Diet Coke or two).

 

[scats]

When I was a junior SJ, it was all about winning.

Now I very much look forward to having a nice coffee after a dressage test

 

[Red-1]

Back in the day, I was driven to event. It was after attending Chatsworth as a 9 year old kid and just being blown away by the big, brave horses. I was driven to compete there, no mean feat for the child of a single parent, non-horsey, not rich family - who had learned rising trot at the local riding school and could just about hang on at canter.

Then, yes, I loved the kudos of just doing BE. At the time, the smallest class was 1.05, and just doing it at any level was amazing. Then, the lessons with posh people. The achievement. The planning, and early morning starts, the journey, the lorry, the fitness, the whole lot. The parkland settings, the posh voice on the commentary. Oh yes, the wind in the hair and adrenaline.

Now, I am less driven and older. I love the focus a competition gives. The social.

 

[ycbm]

^^^^^^ exactly, 20 years ago, word for word except for the early starts

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I have completely lost any thrill of competing. I love FSM classes , just love riding to the music. For me it's a little trip out and a nice social outing. I'm not really competitive any more but we still go out and do a bit!

 

[LEC]

I love producing young horses and doing their firsts. I love doing well on older horses and constantly trying to be better. I love the test of where you are, have you got better? What’s the next steps? Giving me aims etc.
I probably wouldn’t ride without competing.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

And also you can compete on equal terms with someone who might be a champion - not on their best horse obviously! But in how many other sports could you be lining up alongside a well know name in your sport.

This is the same in dog sports. Once you are out of the very basic levels you can be competing against the very best top handlers. Thrill is if you manage to beat them.

 

[SDMabel]

I think with Mable , having backed her and done everything ourselves with her ridden career . Half of the thrill is coming home alive and knowing we helped to create this awesome little cob .

With showing its definitely being placed high up the line , especially when against professional producers !

With anything involving jumps it's how clever she is , it's a real thrill and reward when jockey gets it slightly wrong and she says don't worry I've got this . I'm always somewhat in awe of her brain and capability of clambering over things with a degree of style despite me going to pot !

 

[Squeak]

A mixture, I love the progress part, I also love competing at iconic shows and the buzz of a big atmosphere.

I also love when it comes together on the day, sometimes it can be as simple as nailing a movement we’ve been working on, a really good showjumping or xc round or the other end of the scale where it all comes together and you win a big class or championship.

 

[Jenko109]

I dont really ride these days, however for me, getting round without taking the wrong course or hindering my horse too much was a win.