Lacking motivation / need friends!

[Abacus]

I’m struggling to get myself to ride and compete this year. Kept going all through winter, horse probably ready to go out (mostly eventing) but I just can’t quite get myself out there. Weather isn’t helping. Also I haven’t evented for a few years (mostly through not having the right horse) and I used to be at a yard with friends where we’d do stuff together but am now not. They’ve all ‘grown up’ anyway and are not competing. Horses are at my own yard near home, I have a friend there but she isn’t competitive and is at polo all summer. It would be lovely to have someone keen to do similar stuff but how to find them when not at a yard? Eventing is quite lonely, alone! Any thoughts welcome.

 

[JBM]

You could add a general location and see if anyone on here is in same boat and wants a competitive friend?

 

[Abacus]

You could add a general location and see if anyone on here is in same boat and wants a competitive friend?

Sure - I am in South Oxfordshire, near Wallingford / Abingdon.

 

[Identityincrisis]

How about joining a riding club? I LOVE doing clinics and have met a couple of people who are really friendly (i’d meet loads more if i was more social!)

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I too have my own yard and no others on it.
I pushed myself 4 yrs ago to join 2 local riding clubs,went to various clinics, the odd comps and made quite a few friends. This is in addition to going to trainer for solo stuff.

I still belong to one now, pop along to some things to keep my hand in and make the effort to keep up friendships, tho I'm generally happy in my own company.

If I felt I needed help such as fuzzy holding etc at a comp (for which I can usually cope on own but nicet to have company), I'd pop a message out on my Facebook page. For Windsor last year I had a wait list!!
I've had the odd non horsey friend come along, made sure I got them lunch and drinks etc, they were still v useful as pony holder or grabbing stuff out of the box and packing up.
Horse friends from rc have been really helpful on the odd occasions I've needed them and I must be doing something right as 2 or 3 have been repeat helpers

 

[asmp]

How about joining a riding club? I LOVE doing clinics and have met a couple of people who are really friendly (i’d meet loads more if i was more social!)

Some riding clubs put teams together for competitions. Our riding club struggles to get people to make up teams so you could be welcome with open arms!

 

[Squeak]

I wouldn't underestimate how much this miserable weather impacts motivation!

Also recomend joining local riding clubs. I also joined two and did some of their social events, competitions and training and met loads of people and the ones who I train/ compete with are often at the same events or I could go to the same ones they were.

 

[Abacus]

It's a good thought. Belonged to one years ago and didn't love it - the training was sometimes good but found the people cliquey and not very welcoming. Might have a look though to find others around.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I have exactly the same issue so trying the Riding club approach now.

 

[Gloi]

I have exactly the same issue so trying the Riding club approach now.

Volunteer to steward, write, fence judge, etc. at the riding club and you will soon get to know people.

 

[Vodkagirly]

Can you book in for a camp? Getting fit for it is motivating and I've made lots of friends as you chat while watching lessons/evenings

 

[Identityincrisis]

They can be cliquey and some people are just miserable! But even as an unsociable i still manage to get a couple of people chatting I just ask them about their ponies and congratulate them on a nice round etc

 

[lizziebell]

Volunteer to steward, write, fence judge, etc. at the riding club and you will soon get to know people.

This^^^ You will make friends within Riding clubs so much easier if you put back into the club through volunteering.

 

[Cowpony]

If you want somebody to come out with you at a weekend to act as groom and provide company then let me know. I'm in Reading and have retired my mare from dressage competition. My sharer does most of the riding now, and I'm struggling to find a new dressage horse, so I'm at a loose end most weekends currently.

Now I've said that, I bet I find a new one tomorrow!

 

[Above the snowline]

Being out of eventing for 3 years is making you feel a bit lonely and worried about getting back into it again. You have managed to keep going all winter which is more than most people have done. The warm weather has been a bit slow this year so it’s not surprising motivation is a little bit lacking. How to get your mojo back? Fun local ride, training day - a bit of XC would be sure to up your motivation, take your horse on a riding holiday, jump judge , ask local instructors if they know anyone like you, join your local hunt supporters group or run away somewhere warm on a riding holiday or have a relaxing horse free holiday and see if you return invigorated.