JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
This just came up on my facebook, posted by another HHOer, actually who's very successful with her lovely horses... And it made me think of this thread!
Liking the "theory" of competing... But "reality" is different?
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Twiglet
Well-Known Member
Slightly different perspective, but with regards to things going well for people who work hard....when I was competing things rarely went right.
From horrendous loading, to leaving the lorry keys at home (in London) when the lorry was in Surrey and missing my class, to forgetting a bridle, to hitting the deck and rupturing a hamstring - I can't think of a single outing that was stress free and successful. BUT I know I never worked hard enough
Yes, I had lessons with good trainers, and a nice horse, and I rode regularly, but the pair of us lacked much in the way of discipline, my schooling sessions were often spent chatting, I wouldn't put grids up because it was easier to jump what was already in the school, and I have a tendency to get stressed when people watch me.
I know if I'd have put more effort and time in (the major issue, as time is scarce), we probably could have done better. We might have got higher marks in our dressage or less poles in the SJ.
But I do it for fun, and I enjoy my horse, and the day out (quite frankly sometimes I put more thought into what snacks we'd take in the lorry than how I was going to ride my dressage test), and whilst I admire enormously you people who put all this effort in and do well (rightly so), it's not necessarily how I work
But now I don't have the option and I have a beautiful talented horse sitting in the field unlikely to see out the year, I'd give my right arm to have a disastrous competition, and would probably even put the extra work in
Don't take for granted OP.
From horrendous loading, to leaving the lorry keys at home (in London) when the lorry was in Surrey and missing my class, to forgetting a bridle, to hitting the deck and rupturing a hamstring - I can't think of a single outing that was stress free and successful. BUT I know I never worked hard enough
Yes, I had lessons with good trainers, and a nice horse, and I rode regularly, but the pair of us lacked much in the way of discipline, my schooling sessions were often spent chatting, I wouldn't put grids up because it was easier to jump what was already in the school, and I have a tendency to get stressed when people watch me. I know if I'd have put more effort and time in (the major issue, as time is scarce), we probably could have done better. We might have got higher marks in our dressage or less poles in the SJ.
But I do it for fun, and I enjoy my horse, and the day out (quite frankly sometimes I put more thought into what snacks we'd take in the lorry than how I was going to ride my dressage test), and whilst I admire enormously you people who put all this effort in and do well (rightly so), it's not necessarily how I work
But now I don't have the option and I have a beautiful talented horse sitting in the field unlikely to see out the year, I'd give my right arm to have a disastrous competition, and would probably even put the extra work in
Don't take for granted OP.
Sealine
Well-Known Member
Sorry TarrSteps, I've only just read your question.
Unfortunately I can't take credit for the 4 Laws of effort. They came from a sport psychology company whose emails I subscribe to but the name escapes me at the moment. I think it's an Australian firm but that probably doesn't help
Unfortunately I can't take credit for the 4 Laws of effort. They came from a sport psychology company whose emails I subscribe to but the name escapes me at the moment. I think it's an Australian firm but that probably doesn't help
paddi22
Well-Known Member
i agree with the other posters saying that if YOU would love to compete, but your horse hates shows, get a different horse. I love competing and I'm lucky to have a horse that loves it too. He want's to be the fastest, showiest horse there and if there's a crowd of horses he just assumes an air of superiority as if he's the boss. He loves to show off.
I have another horse who hates it and finds it too much, even though he was very slowly introduced to easy, quiet shows over a long time. I just accept there's no point spending my efforts on him competing as he just isn't right for it, even though he has tons of potential, even more than the other one. Thats why i got the other horse, and we have had a ball going out enjoying what we both love to do.
I have another horse who hates it and finds it too much, even though he was very slowly introduced to easy, quiet shows over a long time. I just accept there's no point spending my efforts on him competing as he just isn't right for it, even though he has tons of potential, even more than the other one. Thats why i got the other horse, and we have had a ball going out enjoying what we both love to do.
Ranyhyn
Well-Known Member
I can sympathise a little OP. However I dont think your perspective on it is right.
My very best friend and I have waited to ride and ultimately compete together for 5 years. 5 Years, through lameness, illness, babies, my own horses demise and subsequent horselessness. Her horses illnesses, changes of horse, lameness.... Finally now we were ready. Two sound horses.
Mine wouldn't get on the lorry.
That ungrateful bint - doesn't she know how long we've waited for this?!
So the next week my friend brought her lorry over and we practised til we were all bored and we'll keep practising. In the end we laughed so hard at how bad our luck is. Last weekend we went together to the cirencester fun ride and had a fab time.
Good things come to those who wait, practise, try and try again.
My very best friend and I have waited to ride and ultimately compete together for 5 years. 5 Years, through lameness, illness, babies, my own horses demise and subsequent horselessness. Her horses illnesses, changes of horse, lameness.... Finally now we were ready. Two sound horses.
Mine wouldn't get on the lorry.
That ungrateful bint - doesn't she know how long we've waited for this?!
So the next week my friend brought her lorry over and we practised til we were all bored and we'll keep practising. In the end we laughed so hard at how bad our luck is. Last weekend we went together to the cirencester fun ride and had a fab time.
Good things come to those who wait, practise, try and try again.
abercrombie&titch
Well-Known Member
Utterly agree with all those who say success comes from hard work - and lots of it .... the more you get out, the better you and your horse get at it. When things go wrong - and they will - horses aren't machines - you look at what went wrong and work on fixing it. That is what success and improving is
(Wine and chocolate are vital components of the riders armoury for when things go well or go wrong)
(Wine and chocolate are vital components of the riders armoury for when things go well or go wrong)
el_Snowflakes
Well-Known Member
This just came up on my facebook, posted by another HHOer, actually who's very successful with her lovely horses... And it made me think of this thread!
This is so true....