Not good enough

[piebaldproblems]

I know we've had threads about not feeling good enough for your horse before, but what about not feeling good enough for a prospective horse?

Here's the deal. I've seen an Anglo-Arab that I love the look of. A 5 year old, 16.1hh. Been ridden for around 3 months, so doing walk/trot/canter but that's about it. But I haven't written to the seller yet, because from the little reading up I've been doing about them, they're a professional eventing yard which is (irrationally, I know) really messing with my confidence. I keep thinking that if I were to view him, I'd be a laughing stock at said yard when I went to try him because I'm sure my riding would be disgraceful in comparison to the seller's. I even had a nightmare last night where I went to his yard and I couldn't get the saddle on him because he was too tall!

They haven't said on the ad whether they're looking for an eventing/competitive home for him but the way it's worded makes me think they're marketing him towards a market that isn't me.

So advice on what to do? Any tips on how to feel confident riding in front of professionals? Should I even write to the sellers? TIA

 

[Jenko109]

Go and see him and dont give a toss what anyone thinks.

If you arent what they are looking for, then so be it. Dont miss out on a potentially perfect horse over possibly irrational fears.

 

[piebaldproblems]

Go and see him and dont give a toss what anyone thinks.

You're right but it's easier said than done

 

[Flowerofthefen]

He might be your horse of a lifetime. Go and see him. You might get there, see him ridden and won't like him but you will never know unless you go!!

 

[Flame_]

I know we've had threads about not feeling good enough for your horse before, but what about not feeling good enough for a prospective horse?

Here's the deal. I've seen an Anglo-Arab that I love the look of. A 5 year old, 16.1hh. Been ridden for around 3 months, so doing walk/trot/canter but that's about it. But I haven't written to the seller yet, because from the little reading up I've been doing about them, they're a professional eventing yard which is (irrationally, I know) really messing with my confidence. I keep thinking that if I were to view him, I'd be a laughing stock at said yard when I went to try him because I'm sure my riding would be disgraceful in comparison to the seller's. I even had a nightmare last night where I went to his yard and I couldn't get the saddle on him because he was too tall!

They haven't said on the ad whether they're looking for an eventing/competitive home for him but the way it's worded makes me think they're marketing him towards a market that isn't me.

So advice on what to do? Any tips on how to feel confident riding in front of professionals? Should I even write to the sellers? TIA

Just buy him, don't ride him until you get him home

 

[nutjob]

If you are confident that you will be OK with a recently backed horse when you get it home then I wouldn't worry if you cannot ride as good as a pro. This would be normal for most buyers. If you are unsure, I would phone rather than write to the seller and explain your level of experience and what you want the horse for and see if they have any concerns. Do you have a trainer who you could take with you for moral support and an honest opinion if the horse is right for you?

 

[paddi22]

Bring a trainer and get an honest opinion. That advice stands to anyone buying a lightly backed horse, regardless of what breed it is or yard it comes from. It totally depends on your competence level for schooling a young horse and coping with young horse antics.

 

[Ratface]

Sound advice above. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Lady Jane]

Talk to the seller - professionals normally understand how amateurs feel riding in front of them - and give advice

 

[piebaldproblems]

Thanks all. I’ve just sent seller a message!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I know we've had threads about not feeling good enough for your horse before, but what about not feeling good enough for a prospective horse?

Here's the deal. I've seen an Anglo-Arab that I love the look of. A 5 year old, 16.1hh. Been ridden for around 3 months, so doing walk/trot/canter but that's about it. But I haven't written to the seller yet, because from the little reading up I've been doing about them, they're a professional eventing yard which is (irrationally, I know) really messing with my confidence. I keep thinking that if I were to view him, I'd be a laughing stock at said yard when I went to try him because I'm sure my riding would be disgraceful in comparison to the seller's. I even had a nightmare last night where I went to his yard and I couldn't get the saddle on him because he was too tall!

They haven't said on the ad whether they're looking for an eventing/competitive home for him but the way it's worded makes me think they're marketing him towards a market that isn't me.

So advice on what to do? Any tips on how to feel confident riding in front of professionals? Should I even write to the sellers? TIA

Can you take someone with you like your trainer, so not left to you only making decisions and she or he can boost your confidence when you go?

 

[Cowpony]

Just go for it! Good horses at the right price are hard enough to find at the moment without ruling yourself out before you've even rung the seller. Good luck!

 

[HashRouge]

I used to work on a showjumping yard and I probably could have ridden about 90% of the horses there no problem, in any situation (i.e. in the ring, on a hack, round the XC course). And I'm really not a great rider! The other 10% I could hack comfortably, but wouldn't have wanted to ride in the ring when they got their blood up. So what I'm saying is don't assume you wouldn't be good enough for the horse just because it is on a pro yard. I'm sure the seller will tell you if they think the horse is not suitable for your level of riding

 

[Red-1]

I would call rather than rely on a message.

I bought my baby from a pro, 4 months ago. I was once very competent, but am now middle aged, menopausal, unfit and lacking the Grrrr I once had. I was very honest on the phone as he was also a 4yo with little experience. I wanted her input as she not only wants to sell the horse, but also wants it to be a success. I certainly didn't want to buy anything that wasn't straightforward.

She asked for some video of me riding, which was mainly because I couldn't get there to try him, but TBH could be a good idea for you too, as then she can see you ride when you aren't nervous. Also, when you do then ride, you don't have to worry about her judging you, as she will already have done so.

Rather than see the pro as a hurdle to get through, I would see them as a consultant to help you make your decision. If they have a good rep, they will be (almost) as keen for it to work as you. It is a different scenario to buying from a dodgy dealer. My research was as much on the seller as it was the horse.

 

[Leandy]

Call the seller and have a chat. Have an honest conversation about what you are looking for and your riding ability. Try to stick to actual factual information about your riding as it will help both you and the seller assess whether or not you may be a match for this horse. So don't say you are an "experienced" or "novice" or whatever rider, these things mean very different things to different people. Tell them how long you have been riding, what sort of horses, what activities, what heights you jump typically, what competitions and at what level you have ridden at and trained horses for etc. etc Then you will know whether you are on the same wavelength as to your abilities and ambitions. Then if the horse still sounds suitable and the seller agrees, go and see it. Take a trainer or friend if you are worried for any reason. But it you have had a sensible conversation with the seller before hand and have got as far as a viewing, it should be fine. Don't expect to be able to ride as well as the professional. That is why they are a professional and you aren't and that is fine! The question is can you ride well enough for this horse? And most importantly is the horse suitable temperament and ability wise for you? A horse backed and produced by a professional yard should at least have been started correctly, unlike one from a novice amateur. So even if you are a novice amateur, it may well be the professional yards you should be looking at for a well brought up horse, not novice or dodgy sellers.

 

[Barlow]

I recently tried a couple of horses at a top international dressage yard. When I got out of the car there were three pros riding in the arena and my trainer was kind enough to point out who they were, which did nothing for my nerves and my feeling of being an inadequate rider. As it was, when it came to trying the horses the pros all moved into the indoor school and gave me the outdoor arena to myself which really took the pressure off. On my second trial ride the pro handed me the horse and left me and my trainer to it which was really helpful. As it was, I much preferred trying the horse like that rather than with an anxious amateur owner looking on, something which surprised me as before I went I was certain my riding would put me to shame at that yard!!