New rider with the horsey bug has some questions!

[SR14]

Hi everyone!
I have definitely got something 'horsey' in my blood which I never knew I had before! I had my first lesson 2 months ago and have been going once a week for private lessons. I don't just want to be a happy hacker I actually want to properly learn! I also went to my Blair Castle horse trials as a spectator (obviously!) and was in awe of all the competitors and since then I have been thinking... Will I ever be able to compete at shows (local ones) without having a horse of my own? On all the forums I have seen competitors have their own horse. But I will probably never be in that position Does this mean that I will just have to settle for lessons and hacks on school horses forever?
I know it might sound a bit dramatic and thinking ahead a lot lol, but I like to have a goal in mind, and a rosette seemed like a good goal! But realistically I don't think it's going to happen and I'm a bit gutted about it to be honest! Does anyone out there compete on a horse that's not theirs??
I need cheering up, I have really been enjoying my new hobby so won't give it up, but I want to enjoy the social and competitive side of things too eventually. Thanks for reading! X

 

[Burnttoast]

I've been riding other people's horses for 30 years and never had my own. I have plenty of rosettes, inc some championship ones, and a few trophies. It can easily be done, though I'm giving up now as any prospect of having my own is vanishingly tiny.

 

[Kylara]

Often riding schools host shows and you can ride one of theirs in it.
Or if you share or part loan a horse then the owner may be happy for you to compete and may even offer you space in their trailer/lorry to go to shows. Not everyone who goes to competitions owns the horse they are riding, and some people are professional riders who just ride other people's horses (Charlotte Dujardin doesn't own Valegro) Whilst that is a higher level of riding (although you do see them at unaffs and low level shows, don't be put off by not owning a horse - there are options for you

Also if you are into dressage then Dressage Anywhere is a good thing to look into - you video your test and send it in and they judge it for you

 

[SR14]

Thank you very much for replying! I am feeling a lot more positive now. The yard where I take my lessons is very big and busy. They do regular shows and clinics and also Trailblazers, but I thought they were only for owners. No one there has explined it to me (and in fairness I hadn't asked!). Perhaps in the future I will at be able to share/loan a horse but in the meantime that is very encouraging to hear also thanks for the info about Dressage Filming. I didn't know that such a thing existed!

 

[SR14]

That's what I wanted to hear!! Many thanks x

 

[Wiz201]

Thank you very much for replying! I am feeling a lot more positive now. The yard where I take my lessons is very big and busy. They do regular shows and clinics and also Trailblazers, but I thought they were only for owners. No one there has explined it to me (and in fairness I hadn't asked!). Perhaps in the future I will at be able to share/loan a horse but in the meantime that is very encouraging to hear also thanks for the info about Dressage Filming. I didn't know that such a thing existed!

If you don't ask you don't get! Carl Hester has a yard full of other people's horses he does dressage on.

 

[TheoryX1]

Life has so many twists and turns, and how do you know you will never be able to own your own horse? You never know what is around that corner and I would just keep positive about it.

I felt like you for years and years and was finally able to buy my own horse 10 years ago at the age of 43, after a 20 plus year gap from riding. Took some planning and some saving up, but I did it. He has taken me places I would have never thought of - we have hunted, done dressage, showing and even a bit of jumping. He is now 21, and although diagnosed with arthritis, which is being treated, is still rideable, and I am now planning to get another one in the next couple of years, when my life finally settles down a bit more, to do the whole affiliated dressage and bling thing.

Dont give up hoping and trying. Life is strange sometimes.

 

[SR14]

TheoryX1 Yes you are quite right! Thank you for that

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Interdressage is another video/online competition for both dressage and showing.

Some people compete in affiliated competitions by working as a rider/groom to a professional competition rider.

 

[WindyStacks]

If you're at the yard I think you might be - then the competitions and trailblazer stuff happens on the school horses too - about fifty percent I'd have thought. The owner let's people compete on the school horses.

I also know for a fact of people who rode friend's horses this year at Blair.