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

[Ample Prosecco]

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.

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.

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.

These sum up why I compete. I need a goal. I find very little satisfaction in any sport/hobby without goals and progress. Whether that is politeness on the ground or boldness XC.

I am also really enjoying the social aspects of Show-jumping. It feels more fun and less serious to me. I guess because if you stuff up there's another class or round later, next day, next week. And I always meet up with people. Going clear feels great, mind. And winning money is fab!

But the biggeset thrill is undoubtedly riding a bold horse clear cross country. There is just nothing that has ever come close to the thrill of galloping through the finishing flags after successfully negotiating a tricky track. I buzz for hours. It is an amazing feeling. And I never feel closer to my horses than when we have done that together too. That they have trusted me to take on whatever I point them at and that thay have looked after me. I feel humbled by their courage and willingness. No other part of riding inspires, excites or moves me as much as that. Which is why I just keep going back for more, despite the cost, stress, risk, time.....

And I love the fact that big names are there ompeting on level terms with the rest of us. Katie competed against Oliver Townend at Kelsall BE100!

 

[Vodkagirly]

I love the firsts eg first dressage test, first jumping, first time at a new level. I also enjoy the big atmosphere events - I'm never going to reach the big levels but I've done arena eventing at floors Castle and Belsay and really enjoyed being part of it.
Other events are so friendly and encouraging that it's lovely just enjoying the day and catching up with people.
I also think taking a nice picnic/burger helps gloss over any disappointing mistakes

 

[Xmasha]

The biggest thrill has to be going to the breed shows . Just being part of it is exhilarating. Sadly we didn’t get to go this year but we will next year and we will clear up .

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The biggest thrill has to be going to the breed shows . Just being part of it is exhilarating. Sadly we didn’t get to go this year but we will next year and we will clear up .

The Shetland breed show travels around the country. I've shown there the last 3 times it has been in Scotland. The first time both my inhand ponies came 2nd and my ridden 4th in the hoys class. The second time we had some ok placings but the Wee Coloured Job being 3rd in his class at just 4yo behind 2 of the countries biggest winners then going on to win the trophy for the best broken coloured pony at the show was something else. This year a homebred winning his class was just the icing on the cake. It's always that little bit more special to win at your breed show as its where the best of the best gather.

 

[nikkimariet]

The horses confidence improving. I love little wins - I’ve enjoyed some nice ‘clear round’ tests where we’ve nailed our tempis even if I’ve messed up something easier like a walk piri recently.

I always aim to win but ultimately aim to have a nice day out where I can find success without the ribbons (how stressful would competing be otherwise). I like being able to tick certain shows off my list and move on/up. I could potentially win more by hanging around a level for another season but that doesn’t do it for me.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I've only got riding club level horses now but still lovely to take out regardless of how well or not they do.

When I had a top horse, my biggest pleasure was beating the professional producers.

 

[SpotsandBays]

I love showing, and who doesn’t love a getting a frilly! But the main thing for me is judge comments. I have an Appy and they’re very marmite, so when a judge has something really positive to say about him it makes my day. We did the BApS nationals a couple of months ago and the judge looked him up and down and said “wow” (she did have more to say too but that was the highlight!) - it’s so nice to hear other people say that, because that’s what I think of him.
And I took my old boy out the other day for some inhand and they had a vet in the ring for the best condition. We placed first and she said some wonderful things about him. That’s why I do it!

 

[Snow Falcon]

Being honest, winning, particularly if beating the season campaigners.

Now, it's producing the youngsters and them growing in confidence with each experience.

 

[EventingMum]

I haven't competed for a very long time but when I did I loved the atmospere of big shows (SJ) and being in the same classes as the big names - Whitakers et al. It was always embarassing being asked for an autograph and trying to explain I wasn't famous (some people just thought anyone in a big class was famous!). Equally loved the atmosphere of the FEI events when my son was eventing.

 

[Tarragon]

I do not really compete. It seems to unleash a surprisingly competitive streak in me I don’t like… (I also don’t play monopoly for the same reason!)
i love the little wins I get backing and bringing on a young pony, and secretly someday I want to turn up at a dressage competition and unload my hairy pony and then surprise everyone with a faultless ride

 

[Carlosmum]

Very much depends on what we are doing. In hand Showing.... I love all the titivating before the class and as long as pony behaves that's really enough BUT, i do find myself being grumpy if I think the judge has got it wrong! If it involves riding then I put much more onus on my performance whether its dressage SJ or XC. Generally as long as I feel we did our best performance for the occasion then I have enjoyed myself

 

[Birker2020]

One step nearer on the renovation I.e mode of transport to shows

 

[Xmasha]

The Shetland breed show travels around the country. I've shown there the last 3 times it has been in Scotland. The first time both my inhand ponies came 2nd and my ridden 4th in the hoys class. The second time we had some ok placings but the Wee Coloured Job being 3rd in his class at just 4yo behind 2 of the countries biggest winners then going on to win the trophy for the best broken coloured pony at the show was something else. This year a homebred winning his class was just the icing on the cake. It's always that little bit more special to win at your breed show as its where the best of the best gather.

Amazing achievements. The homebred must have been a very proud moment . The best we’ve done so far is a 5th in the maturity in hand . But we did beat some fab mares .

 

[Chiffy]

We loved anything to do with riding and competing but our ‘specialist subject’ was Eventing. Then the daughter took over and her OH competes too when time between farming! Now onto the next generation. All disciplines but still Eventing the favourite.
Such fun for me now I am too old. Elder granddaughter 12 was selected to SJ at the Highland Show , then qualified eventing at the PC Champs. On her placing there she was selected to take part in the Sports Pony Gold Cup at Burghley. What a year! Lucky us!! Sorry if lots of you have seen this before, can’t get over how special it is!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Amazing achievements. The homebred must have been a very proud moment . The best we’ve done so far is a 5th in the maturity in hand . But we did beat some fab mares .

Homebred wins and places are always more special.

 

[silv]

Hard to say really, I don't compete nearly as much as I used to. I thinking bringing out 3 horses who had never been shown to open status (riding horse county level) was pretty special. Getting my name on some trophies and also twice winning winter series at our local dressage group on different horses medium level. Getting them ready for shows and having them look amazing. It was also great to take all the above horses to local competitive trail rides and win a good few of those too. Proving that my fancy ponies can do anything!

 

[Squeak]

But the biggest thrill is undoubtedly riding a bold horse clear cross country. There is just nothing that has ever come close to the thrill of galloping through the finishing flags after successfully negotiating a tricky track. I buzz for hours. It is an amazing feeling. And I never feel closer to my horses than when we have done that together too. That they have trusted me to take on whatever I point them at and that thay have looked after me. I feel humbled by their courage and willingness. No other part of riding inspires, excites or moves me as much as that. Which is why I just keep going back for more, despite the cost, stress, risk, time.....

And I love the fact that big names are there ompeting on level terms with the rest of us. Katie competed against Oliver Townend at Kelsall BE100!

I do agree with you about the xc. Riding a good xc horse is something else and so although we complain about BE, stare at the empty bank account and cancel any form of a social life, it's completely worth it.

 

[daffy44]

I'll start by saying I'm really not very competitive by nature, and whilst I do enjoy going out and competing, if I could never compete again I wouldnt do anything differently with my horses.

As to what gives me the biggest thrill it totally depends on what horse I'm riding, and what I'm doing. I tend to buy my horses as foals, I love producing young horses, and when they do their first shows I never think about the competitive element of what we're doing, its all about giving the horse a great positive, confidence giving experience. I love knowing that I have prepared them properly for the experience and when they behave beautifully and feel pleased with themselves I'm delighted, of course if they win thats great, but I'm just as happy coming last if I feel the horse has done its best and will come on from the experience.

For me its mainly about the long game as my goal is always grand prix, and I have to admit feeling hugely proud and emotional when the horses do their first gp, especially knowing the journey the horse and I have been on to get there, and knowing we have done everything together from the very start, its massively rewarding.

 

[Carrottom]

Start together, finish together! Or is that relief?