More pleasure from watching your children compete than competing themself?

[nikCscott]

I think it must be a sign of age....

When my girls compete, 5 year old LR showing and 7 year old mini jumping, dressage ODE, I'm filled with pride and leave with all the positives.

When I compete I enjoy it at the time then leave happy with my boy (if he loads ) but berating myself for what i SHOULD HAVE done and what i'll do differently next time etc etc

Just wondering if i'm the only one?

 

[scheherazade]

I think it must be a sign of age....

When my girls compete, 5 year old LR showing and 7 year old mini jumping, dressage ODE, I'm filled with pride and leave with all the positives.

When I compete I enjoy it at the time then leave happy with my boy (if he loads ) but berating myself for what i SHOULD HAVE done and what i'll do differently next time etc etc

Just wondering if i'm the only one?

Not at all, when I take my seven year old daughter out I am so so proud of all her achievements, even if she doesn't come anywhere, so long as she has tried hard, been kind to her pony and well behaved to the stewards / Judges etc I couldn't be more pleased. However I will re-analyse every stride of my own round, looking for ways that things could have been improved, even if I have done very well (which isn't often!!)

"Producing" children who are also nice people, effective jockeys or not, is at least as much if not more of an achievement as producing a young horse to the same level. And in many ways more so as you are with the child almost all of the time. (Did that make sense??!!!)

 

[L&M]

My son has recently started riding and we bought his first pony in the Spring. He has gone from hacking on the lead rein to jumping clear rounds in the 6 mnths he has been riding, and we have spent every weekend either doing pony club or little competitions/fun rides.

Prior to my son riding I used to compete locally myself, but have found that even though I have no time or money left over to compete mine, I have had as much satisfaction watch my son progress.

Atm I am just hacking my own, doing fun rides, but will be hunting weekly from next week so will be getting my kicks that way!

Next year my son will be more established so plan for us to got to shows togther, and maybe even compete against each other, just for some fun!

So no, you are not abnormal. Nothing makes me prouder than watch my son competing and it is lovely having a child with a shared passion.

 

[Littlelegs]

I know what you mean. For me its not about competing or horses, just about watching my child enjoy herself being more important than enjoying myself. Same as I get more satisfaction from spending money on her for hobbies or stuff than I would spending money on myself. Or doing stuff like going to parks, swimming etc I love because she does, even though actually going alone would never be my idea of fun.

 

[nikCscott]

"Producing" children who are also nice people, effective jockeys or not, is at least as much if not more of an achievement as producing a young horse to the same level. And in many ways more so as you are with the child almost all of the time. (Did that make sense??!!!)

I completely agree with this, the amount of children around without the basis manners, please, thank you asking to leave the table etc etc etc etc completely shocks me the same as parents commenting of how well mannered my children are pleases me but kind of shocks me too as i think it's standard parenting!

 

[nikCscott]

I know what you mean. For me its not about competing or horses, just about watching my child enjoy herself being more important than enjoying myself. Same as I get more satisfaction from spending money on her for hobbies or stuff than I would spending money on myself. Or doing stuff like going to parks, swimming etc I love because she does, even though actually going alone would never be my idea of fun.

Absolutley- we're going 'swimming' tomorrow- this will involve little to no swimming just queuing soaking wet and freezing cold for the big slides! What we do for our children!!

I think the horse life is good at producing children with good manners, work ethic, pride in appearance, confidence etc Certainly done me not harm and am still close friends with my PC pals and we now all have children in the PC together

 

[Double_choc_lab]

I almost feel that I had my time and now it's my daughter's time to compete/have fun/ find herself. I love watching her compete but do get somewhat involved. A few years ago whilst she was SJing i jumped every single fence with her (at the ringside) so much so that the announcer said "Clear round for ... and a clear round for mother on the sidelines".

Isn't this what being a mum is about - enjoying being with your children even when they're young adults, and sharing their fun. Horses certainly give you plenty of opportunities for this. I somehow couldn't imagine sharing a flagon of cider on a sink estate garden wall

 

[JoannaC]

I don't have children but I did have two ponies for my nephews who sadly weren't that interested so I had a number of girls sharing them. I loved taking them to pony club and shows and got just as much pleasure (actually probably more) out of seeing my ponies compete and the kids having fun than competing myself. I also had the added bonus of handing the kids back at the end of the day

 

[Rowreach]

I completely agree with this, the amount of children around without the basis manners, please, thank you asking to leave the table etc etc etc etc completely shocks me the same as parents commenting of how well mannered my children are pleases me but kind of shocks me too as i think it's standard parenting!

lol I was amused last year when the mother of the worst behaved children in the school told her aunt (who I know via Pony Club) that my children were really lovely and well behaved!

I have to admit to living a bit vicariously through my son and his riding - he has all the opportunities that I never had as a child, definitely more nerve and probably more ability given time. I love watching him out and about with his pony, whereas I'm fairly jaded with competing myself! This summer I've been showing a 12.2 in hand and having an absolute ball with him - it has taken the pressure off me, and I think that's the other thing I like about watching my son - all the pressure is on him now