How to not care?

FoxTrotx

FoxTrotx

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31 August 2011
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Come on, give me a kick up the backside.

I'm feeling like a bit of a numpty at present and need to talk to people that understand how vile horsey people can be and why this makes me feel the way I do.

I took my mare to a small, local clear round yesterday at a riding club I know well (competed there 2 years ago and won 2'6" & 2'9" and got 2nd in 2'3" & 2'9" working hunter overall, so I know I'm not utterly useless) but I was so nervous I might as well have been about to go round Hickstead.

But the stupid thing is that I wasn't really worried about how my mare was going perform or even if I was going to fall off, I was worried about what people might have been saying about me. I know its stupid and I shouldn't care but I don't want to sound like one of those people who makes out their horse is a psycho to cover the fact they can't ride very well.

My horse does have numerous issues (some of which we've made amazing progress with) but people don't know about these and I worry that I'm being judged as a rubbish rider and the fact that I'm 5'3" and horse is 17hh doesn't help as it just looks like I've overhorsed myself.

I love her dearly and we did really well in the end (even if we did only jump 1'9", I was more interested in getting her round in a steady rythym and it was our first time jumping in public) and we also get on very well at home. She feeds of me a great deal so I really need to sort myself out if we're going to start actually competing!

Pointless post really :)
 
Not pointless at all - I reckon we've all been there at some point. Everyone's an expert when they're standing at the ringside and people have an opinion on everyone - they won't be singling you out in particular! I bet in actual fact you did just fine - I don't leave the ground these days after a crashing fall a couple of years ago (and with my 60th birthday looming ever closer) but I remember the last jumping class I did. Got lost after about the second jump so turned to the crowd for help and had them calling the order of jumps out to me :p Judge in the caravan speechless at this numpty in the ring and a husband at the ringside pretending he didn't know me :D

Laughed all the way round and to hell with those watching who couldn't see the funny side!
 
so you worried unnecessarily.

And well done for achieving your goal, you don't have to jump huge fences to chieve anything. if you were aiming for a steady round and achieved that then that's great. And if people are talking about you, well let them, they don't know you or your horse, so they don't know what they're on about anyway.
 
Thank you all, I know I'm just worrying over nothing because I am pleased with our progress so far. She's come quite a long way with her manners on the ground (she never ever barges any more, waits patiently for her tea, bridles without a problem, its possible to spray her with fly spray to name just a few).
 
Dont worry about it!!

You're much braver then me, I could just about manage a walk and trot dressage test today. Ted would love to go jumping im sure, but im just not ready for that yet.

really you shouldnt worry about what others think. People are so weird. My friend took her horse out today its a baby, and only 4 years old, and she did the intro with me.
A lady in the cafe said it shouldnt be in the intro blah blah.... she got told ermm..... excuse me this is the 1st comp its ever been too!!! And my friend won :) yay!! :)

So it doesnt matter what you do people will talk. Just enjoy your self. :)
 
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Aah, it makes it worse if your horse looks a bit 'flash'. My girl is a very pretty dutch warmblood, who I assume is well bred as she is hot branded but don't actually know anything of her breeding. She does stand out at riding club level so I think the fact that everybody seemed to be watching us made me more paranoid :o

Really well done to your friend for winning her class and to you for being brave enough to compete in dressage. (I wouldn't dare as there is an actual person judging!)
 
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