Sell your discipline/hobby to HHOers!

[Ample Prosecco]

We all love our horses and spending time with them. What do you love most. Is it exploring the countryside, pub rides, grooming/herd watching, trec, training a yiungster, building a relationship, eventing, dressage, SJ, showing, groundwork, libetry,multi-day rides, western, breeding, wathcing riders compte your horse or any of the other million things you can do with horses.

So my big love is eventing. I love how these bold horses have to also have the discipline to do a calm, obedient dressage test, sometimes right next to the XC and to cope with the environment. They seem to me to be true allrounders and generally well rounded horses. They are so brave and genuine to go round those XC tracks. And there is just nothing I have ever done on a horse that compares to the thrill of riding cross country. After every event there are always places I think I could have saved a few points and so there is always something just out of reach to strive for next time. That pursuit of the next level or a better score is addictive. Finally I like the vibe at events. People are gneerally friendly and the venues can be really beautiful.

What's your big love?

 

[rara007]

FEI singles driving ??
Trot up isn’t quite as big a deal as it is for the eventers but more than it is for dressage and showjumping. If you like turnout and quarter marks crack on, but smart banded plaits and a clean bridle will suffice.
Usually followed by a welcoming party and dressage draw.
Dressage and schooling to a level that it becomes ‘fun’. The top guys tests are fantastic to watch. And yes, on anything from top all weather surfaces, to grass arenas with under turf irrigation to stormy hillsides with a bit of hard ground and slight slopes inbetween.

https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7094637759171710214?_t=8V1RmRyHpen&_r=1
Usually followed by a nations night party where we all bring a table and food from our country to share.
XC with roads and tracks and ‘take your own line’ technical challenge of the obstacles that at top level ends up a mixture of eventing, endurance and working equitation.


https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7043593789742550277?_t=8V1RqjZhdFF&_r=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7122138304065146118?_t=8V1RzFtkD81&_r=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7129434378081537285?_t=8V1SD5PhArm&_r=1
Usually followed by the party party…!
Cones to prove the soundness schooling and pinpoint precision to round it off.

https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7087566625636994310?_t=8V1SGEXmuUH&_r=1
Staying at some of the worlds best events and venues- this year we’ve had Pau, Peelberg, Exloo, Sandringham, Hopetoun, Windsor, Chablis (as in the wine region) and… local ?
No better way to spend anything between 1 to 5 days. Everyone can do a canter trot canter transition, but can you do it in a carriage, on a serpentine, with 5 FEI judges looking on. I had a technical issue at my last competition after phase 2 and had the offer of I think 5 carriages to help me complete, plus before I’d even washed my horse down two more mechanical people than me were on the phone to mechanics back in the uk working out how to fix it.
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7043611166286941446?_t=8V1Rrza1xuo&_r=1

The training involves everything from inhand work including piaffe training, ground work, long reining, riding at around AM, dressage competing at M soon to be AM, gallop work, interval training on hills, plus classic phase specific training. I barely actually hack but most do. My next months plan we don’t do the same thing twice.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

You are doing a great job of selling that!! Sounds and looks amazing ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Well, where to start.... my aspirations and ability have changed over the years as my experience increased (and decreased).
I've been very fortunate to have done a good number of things, from riding at HOYS and Olympia to doing long format (once, at Tweseldown) P2P's, and other stuff too.

25 to 30 years ago (or even 10!) if you had told me that I would be grinning at the thought of rocking up to a friends yard or meeting place in a little box to go for long brisk hacks, perhaps staying over with all the social niceties of shared bags of donuts or picnics, I'd have looked at you as if you were bonkers!
I love the social side whilst in the saddle, making new friends along the way, occasionally whizzing around with old friends or solo.

Def not a discipline, but a cheerful hobby. (But I still keep my hand in with assorted clinics, the odd sj or stressage comps too, when the mood takes me)

 

[Peglo]

I’ve enjoyed trying new things with Tali this year. Dressage, showjumping, cross country, crap attempt at showing. But nothing beats me and Tali and my cousin and her wee mare (who’s also Tali’s field mate) going to the beach and just galloping around like we are kids again. Planning routes with tracks to gallop up and taking short cuts through fields. Unfortunately we haven’t done much of that this year as my cousins been busy with other stuff and her pony must be mid 20s so unlikely we’ll do much again but it was just the best.

I must agree AE about the bravery of eventers. I had a wee shot on the XC course, smallest jumps, and it was pretty scary (although Tali was amazing) but seeing the pictures you HHO’s share have me in awe. Just amazing. I love those updates.

 

[shortstuff99]

I think this video helps to sell one of my disciplines ?. I'm currently training to become a judge in WE and it is very good fun!

 

[stangs]

Brilliant thread idea, AE. I was already sold on WE, but singles driving is a new one. What breed is your boy, rara007? He’s gorgeous.



My two non-riding hobbies ‘for sale’:

Firstly, just being with horses. Not grooming them, not doing “bond-building” exercises, just being with them. Sitting in a field, maybe with a book or a friend, and letting them choose if they want to approach and how long they want to stay with you. Establish your boundaries, but otherwise let them do what they want, whether that be ignoring you completely, lying down next to you, just watching you, demanding scratches, and so on.

Most of what people do with horses is very much dictated from our side. Even if the horse enjoys it, they often don’t get the chance to opt out. Whereas when you’re all hanging out in ‘their space’ (their turn out area), the position of the horse and human are more equal, making it a whole lot of fun for you, and nicer for them (imo) than all their time with humans being imposed on them. I’ve also found horses who tend to be averse to human contact are happier to spend time with you in this way.


Secondly, observing herd behaviour. It’s a brilliant way to learn more about horses. Both about specific domestic horses (are they naturally bargy or is that an attitude only found with people; what’s their play style; how do they react to a new stimulus in a herd setting; who’s friends with who - people tend not to see a lot of the subtler affiliative behaviours), and especially about natural herd dynamics, if you can find some semi-ferals or ferals to watch. For example, the RSPB keeps several herds with stallions, which is a great way of observing what stallions, mating, relations between sexes, foal learning - I could go on - should look like.

There’s always something new, and the more you observe, the more you start to see which makes it awfully addicting.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I think this video helps to sell one of my disciplines ?. I'm currently training to become a judge in WE and it is very good fun!

Where do I sign up?
Looks great fun, a good number of things they use in Arena trek comps but with added speed and a good number more of v active obstacles!

 

[humblepie]

Fancy trying WE. Was a show jumper for many years but here goes:

Showing

Your horse has to be well schooled and mannerly and able to give a stranger ie the ride judge a good ride in the hottest of atmospheres including the human cannon ball in the main arena next door and the RAF parachute team coming in over head. Your horse must have excellent conformation and from the competitor side you (or your staff!) must be able to turn out to the highest standard enhancing the horse. I love preparing my horse for the ring. We spend hours together with me tidying, faffing, plaiting, quarter marking etc. it is very bonding as just me and him together.

Timewise you get your money’s worth. It is not five minute dressage test. It can be an hour or more in the ring admittedly with a lot of standing around

Your get to compete at lovely places such as agricultural shows so not just on surfaces at show centres.

Downsides are you are of course subject to the opinion of the judge. It is not that you had a fence down.

There is lots of stuff to aim at and the atmosphere of an evening championship can be electric.

 

[ycbm]

FEI singles driving ??
Trot up isn’t quite as big a deal as it is for the eventers but more than it is for dressage and showjumping. If you like turnout and quarter marks crack on, but smart banded plaits and a clean bridle will suffice.
Usually followed by a welcoming party and dressage draw.
Dressage and schooling to a level that it becomes ‘fun’. The top guys tests are fantastic to watch. And yes, on anything from top all weather surfaces, to grass arenas with under turf irrigation to stormy hillsides with a bit of hard ground and slight slopes inbetween.
View attachment 98066View attachment 98067
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7094637759171710214?_t=8V1RmRyHpen&_r=1
Usually followed by a nations night party where we all bring a table and food from our country to share.
XC with roads and tracks and ‘take your own line’ technical challenge of the obstacles that at top level ends up a mixture of eventing, endurance and working equitation.
View attachment 98068
View attachment 98069
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7043593789742550277?_t=8V1RqjZhdFF&_r=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7122138304065146118?_t=8V1RzFtkD81&_r=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7129434378081537285?_t=8V1SD5PhArm&_r=1
Usually followed by the party party…!
Cones to prove the soundness schooling and pinpoint precision to round it off.
View attachment 98070
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7087566625636994310?_t=8V1SGEXmuUH&_r=1
Staying at some of the worlds best events and venues- this year we’ve had Pau, Peelberg, Exloo, Sandringham, Hopetoun, Windsor, Chablis (as in the wine region) and… local ?
No better way to spend anything between 1 to 5 days. Everyone can do a canter trot canter transition, but can you do it in a carriage, on a serpentine, with 5 FEI judges looking on. I had a technical issue at my last competition after phase 2 and had the offer of I think 5 carriages to help me complete, plus before I’d even washed my horse down two more mechanical people than me were on the phone to mechanics back in the uk working out how to fix it.
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7043611166286941446?_t=8V1Rrza1xuo&_r=1

The training involves everything from inhand work including piaffe training, ground work, long reining, riding at around AM, dressage competing at M soon to be AM, gallop work, interval training on hills, plus classic phase specific training. I barely actually hack but most do. My next months plan we don’t do the same thing twice.

Sold!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I know almost nothing about showing so it’s really interesting to hear an enthusiasts perspective! I can totally see the appeal of presenting your horse to the highest possible standard. And a horse who can let a total stranger get on and give them s nice mannerly ride is impressive.

 

[humblepie]

I know almost nothing about showing so it’s really interesting to hear an enthusiasts perspective! I can totally see the appeal of presenting your horse to the highest possible standard. And a horse who can let a total stranger get on and give them s nice mannerly ride is impressive.

There is no where to hide when you hand your horse to the judge! I like it as no longer competent enough to jump at a decent level so gives me the opportunity to compete at the big shows and spend a lot of time chatting to my horse. I can remember thinking how impossibly gorgeous the horses and riders looked. We may not be that smart but nice to compete amongst them.

 

[Rowreach]

FEI singles driving ??
Trot up isn’t quite as big a deal as it is for the eventers but more than it is for dressage and showjumping. If you like turnout and quarter marks crack on, but smart banded plaits and a clean bridle will suffice.
Usually followed by a welcoming party and dressage draw.
Dressage and schooling to a level that it becomes ‘fun’. The top guys tests are fantastic to watch. And yes, on anything from top all weather surfaces, to grass arenas with under turf irrigation to stormy hillsides with a bit of hard ground and slight slopes inbetween.
View attachment 98066View attachment 98067
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7094637759171710214?_t=8V1RmRyHpen&_r=1
Usually followed by a nations night party where we all bring a table and food from our country to share.
XC with roads and tracks and ‘take your own line’ technical challenge of the obstacles that at top level ends up a mixture of eventing, endurance and working equitation.
View attachment 98068
View attachment 98069
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7043593789742550277?_t=8V1RqjZhdFF&_r=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7122138304065146118?_t=8V1RzFtkD81&_r=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7129434378081537285?_t=8V1SD5PhArm&_r=1
Usually followed by the party party…!
Cones to prove the soundness schooling and pinpoint precision to round it off.
View attachment 98070
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7087566625636994310?_t=8V1SGEXmuUH&_r=1
Staying at some of the worlds best events and venues- this year we’ve had Pau, Peelberg, Exloo, Sandringham, Hopetoun, Windsor, Chablis (as in the wine region) and… local ?
No better way to spend anything between 1 to 5 days. Everyone can do a canter trot canter transition, but can you do it in a carriage, on a serpentine, with 5 FEI judges looking on. I had a technical issue at my last competition after phase 2 and had the offer of I think 5 carriages to help me complete, plus before I’d even washed my horse down two more mechanical people than me were on the phone to mechanics back in the uk working out how to fix it.
https://www.tiktok.com/@hazbradford/video/7043611166286941446?_t=8V1Rrza1xuo&_r=1

The training involves everything from inhand work including piaffe training, ground work, long reining, riding at around AM, dressage competing at M soon to be AM, gallop work, interval training on hills, plus classic phase specific training. I barely actually hack but most do. My next months plan we don’t do the same thing twice.

I used to backstep for a very competitive singles driver, and it was the best fun ever. We won a championship one year, and I was asked if I wanted to backstep for one of the British team drivers, and I couldn't do it cos of work. I've regretted that ever since!

 

[Equi]

Happy hacking. No stress of competitions, ride if you want or not..go where you want when you want without ever being late or standing around for hours waiting for your slot, grooming not at all mandatory, save a fortune on grooming products and oils and jackets. Don’t need transport.

 

[RachelFerd]

This is obviously a repeat of yours @Ambers Echo - but this is 10 things I love about eventing...

1. you don't need an absolute freak of nature mega-talent to make it to the top in the way that you do in dressage or showjumping - eventing is a sport in which the 'fairly average' horse can shine. Cheap ex racehorses have made it to the Olympics. Someone's horse being 'pretty' means absolutely nothing in this sport - it is a performance sport all the way.

2. it is the ultimate test of training - three contrasting disciplines that check that your horse is obedient, careful AND brave

3. the random subjectivity of the dressage judging is (usually) cancelled out by having two jumping phases with clear, impartial outcomes

4. its hard to get all three phases right on the same day - but with three phases worth of competition, at least you usually come home knowing that *something* went well

5. there is NOTHING that beats the thrill of riding across country - it's genuinely one of the most exciting things I've ever done, and I've done plenty of high intensity sport stuff. The buzz you get galloping around a tough track is just incomparable - it is hard to go to work the next day and do anything other than dream about what you've just done.

6. it is a sport for planners and preppers - from working out an equine fitness routine through to measuring XC courses to work out minute markers - attention to detail is necessary throughout

7. it is also a sport for people who love the training process - I absolutely love the entire end to end process of making sure my horse has all the skills that they need to succeed in their next event - making sure they understand every type of XC question and working on all of the dressage and showjumping skills that sit behind that - there is always more to work on and more to do

8. lovely venues - we get to trash the country estates of the rich and famous

9. regular opportunities to be parked next to your heroes (horse and human), compete against them and (sometimes) beat them - finishing a novice section in front of all 4 of Oli Townend's rides was a satisfying day...

10. turnout has absolutely no impact on outcomes. thank god... else I'd never come anywhere!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Showing

You do need a thick skin and a penchant for having everything spick and span. Natives are dead easy to get ready - Wash N Go! Ha! Not! A lot more goes into the prep of a native than that but we don't have to plait and we don't have ride judges as routine. But we do have lots of hair, lots of laughs, an abundance of classes we can enter from inhand to ridden to working hunter. It is a relatively easy sport to get into and contrary to popular belief we do welcome newcomers with open arms! 99% of the showing crowd, including producers, are more than happy to help you out.

Come over to the dark side! We have cookies!

 

[Glitter's fun]

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Herding.

Serves a useful purpose and very satisfying when it goes right. Gets you into some beautiful places and you meet some very nice people and their dogs. Suitable for all ages and abilities as can mostly be done at a speed of your choice - where you position yourself is more important than charging about looking like John Wayne. You don't need your own livestock. I herd for several farms. Entry is free!
Much more ecological than quad bikes and quieter.
Develops a strong bond with the pony because every time is a unique situation that neither of you know exactly what will happen. Nature is much better at throwing up challenges than any course builder. Ponies love it & get very excited when they realize what's coming.
The pony needs to be sure-footed, fit and brave. (Very brave for cattle herding, beginners should start with sheep.)
Involves a lot of training before hand. The pony needs to be relaxed with open spaces, people, livestock and dogs but that's not the half of it. Put people and livestock together & the people go bat-sh$t crazy & start shouting, whistling, running & flapping! My next door neighbour is just starting her 3YO highland in-hand, watching sheep gathers from a distance.
They need to be reliable with gates, water, rider carrying things, standing to mount/dismount in exciting environment, happy to leave a group & work independently.
Its also very useful if the pony can be controlled by legs & voice alone, so your hands are free to, for example, carry a lamb that's too small to keep up.
There's always some sort of refreshments afterwards & often you're invited to the farm for a meal, or come home with gifts of farm produce.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Where can you do that, Goldie? Lottie did 5 days at cowboy camp and was brilliant. She loved it and was so relaxed - even moving a cow down tight chutes. Came in handy recently when she and another horse were approached by a herd of curious young cows. Lottie just pushed them back to protect the other horse who was freaking out.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Happy Hacker here bumming up her Discipline:

Advantages:

Ideal prep for ALL other disciplines. Get young horses going forward and off the leg and a great fittening regime for any horse.

Gets horses used to dealing with all sorts of stuff that's out there i.e. flapping plastic, all the general "spooks" you'll encounter out and about, plus dealing with traffic. All good prep for whatever jumps they'll have to face and learning to deal with distractions.

Possible to "school-without-a-school". Lots of scope for improving forwardness, levelness, impulsion & cadence. Opportunities for lateral work i.e. opening gates, keeping into lay-bys to let traffic past, and ideal opportunities for doing Serpentines in the lanes and half-halts at junctions as well as continual changes of pace.

Good fittening work and ideal prep for stuff like Endurance and other disciplines.

Good hunting prep as not only can you take a good look at the Country you'll be covering and therefore your horse gets to know their way around, but also Social for both horse and rider as there are opportunities to buddy-up with friends for a social hack and also Pleasure Rides which are ideal opportunities for this.

Downside: having to deal with all the f@ckwit motorists out there and cyclists who one day you're gonna get home and find them stuck face-first up your horse's backside coz they never ever look where they're going.

Also (downside) sorry, but being honest here: this isn't true of the whole of the equine world by any means, but sadly we are looked down on sometimes as the Poor Relations............

 

[Glitter's fun]

Where can you do that, Goldie? Lottie did 5 days at cowboy camp and was brilliant. She loved it and was so relaxed - even moving a cow down tight chutes. Came in handy recently when she and another horse were approached by a herd of curious young cows. Lottie just pushed them back to protect the other horse who was freaking out.

Ha haa - see, you're sold already! Fun isn't it!!
As far as I know there's no organised way in. You'd need to find contacts. The kind of farms that are on open moorland or wild hills would welcome volunteers for the "big gathers" at times when everything needs to come down the mountain to be shorn, weaned, etc. Maybe ask if you can go on foot a couple of times so they know you & you know what to do. Where I live people have been herding with ponies since before anyone can remember & it's considered normal but you might need to educate your local farmers!

 

[Snowfilly]

Ordinary tack and turnout not taxing enough for you? Think that what you’re missing in life is three solid days spent polishing brass? And looking for a class where you don’t go out of a walk?

Heavy horse in harness classes might be the thing for you!

Basically, classes are normally split working / show / decorated classes, although they may all go in the ring together and be placed separately, or small shows may judge all of them together.

The horse wears a full set of harness, and it’s judged on the cleanliness, fit, and appearance of the harness and about 20% on condition and turnout of the horse.

Working can be plough / cart harness of various types, minimal brass and bling. Sometimes trade harness with patent leather is included in this.

Show harness is good leather harness, with bling. Plenty of horse brasses, a few extra straps just for decoration etc but also fine to use for work.

Decorated harness is bling, bling and more bling! Lots of regional variations, and can include brass, bells, ribbons, fresh flowers in vases and lots of other things.

Pros - ideal for a horse that isn’t standard show quality, everyone on the show ground will take your pick, showing is strictly in walk only. Little kids think your horse is something out of a fairy tale.

Cons - So. Much. Cleaning. Expensive to get the harness. You’ll spend half your life on eBay chasing down obscure pieces. Did i mention the cleaning?

 

[humblepie]

Ordinary tack and turnout not taxing enough for you? Think that what you’re missing in life is three solid days spent polishing brass? And looking for a class where you don’t go out of a walk?

Heavy horse in harness classes might be the thing for you!

Basically, classes are normally split working / show / decorated classes, although they may all go in the ring together and be placed separately, or small shows may judge all of them together.

The horse wears a full set of harness, and it’s judged on the cleanliness, fit, and appearance of the harness and about 20% on condition and turnout of the horse.

Working can be plough / cart harness of various types, minimal brass and bling. Sometimes trade harness with patent leather is included in this.

Show harness is good leather harness, with bling. Plenty of horse brasses, a few extra straps just for decoration etc but also fine to use for work.

Decorated harness is bling, bling and more bling! Lots of regional variations, and can include brass, bells, ribbons, fresh flowers in vases and lots of other things.

Pros - ideal for a horse that isn’t standard show quality, everyone on the show ground will take your pick, showing is strictly in walk only. Little kids think your horse is something out of a fairy tale.

Cons - So. Much. Cleaning. Expensive to get the harness. You’ll spend half your life on eBay chasing down obscure pieces. Did i mention the cleaning?

Was stabled near the heavy horses at a show recently and yes wow the cleaning. Two ginormous horses being hoovered with the generator running by them and harness chains being cleaned by putting in a bag and wound round and round. Were lots of different breeds and very interesting.

 

[ihatework]

I’m going for the eventing groupie, breeding, pony patter, happy hacker, holiday taker category if there is one.

Foal/baby horse playing, what’s not to like!
Fiddling around/educating them as 3/4yos while they are still sweet and innocent and you can justify 20-30 minutes in the summer when the weather is nice. If it’s manky lob em in a field guilt free ?

Seeing them grown up, with their jockeys out Eventing. Rock up to the nice venues as an owner, no need to be up early to bath/plait/walk courses. No late night clearing out the lorry.

If you fancy doing a bit of posh riding hop on a plane to Portugal!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Ordinary tack and turnout not taxing enough for you? Think that what you’re missing in life is three solid days spent polishing brass? And looking for a class where you don’t go out of a walk?

Heavy horse in harness classes might be the thing for you!

Basically, classes are normally split working / show / decorated classes, although they may all go in the ring together and be placed separately, or small shows may judge all of them together.

The horse wears a full set of harness, and it’s judged on the cleanliness, fit, and appearance of the harness and about 20% on condition and turnout of the horse.

Working can be plough / cart harness of various types, minimal brass and bling. Sometimes trade harness with patent leather is included in this.

Show harness is good leather harness, with bling. Plenty of horse brasses, a few extra straps just for decoration etc but also fine to use for work.

Decorated harness is bling, bling and more bling! Lots of regional variations, and can include brass, bells, ribbons, fresh flowers in vases and lots of other things.

Pros - ideal for a horse that isn’t standard show quality, everyone on the show ground will take your pick, showing is strictly in walk only. Little kids think your horse is something out of a fairy tale.

Cons - So. Much. Cleaning. Expensive to get the harness. You’ll spend half your life on eBay chasing down obscure pieces. Did i mention the cleaning?

Mother used to do private driving - singles and then for one season pairs - completely agree about how much cleaning!! We spent hours on vehicle, lights, harness etc etc and having seen the 'heavies' - that's completely a far higher level!!
V glad i'm not involved, I do have admiration and appreciation for how much goes into it though.

 

[BBP]

I have nothing to sell, but I might see if baby Connemara fancies some working equitation when he grows up, given the PRE was never sound or sane enough. Baby horse’s current favourite discipline is pony parkour. His sales pitch would be ‘when you do running, if there is something in the way, jump on it. Or over it. If there isn't something in the way, change which way you are running til you find something to jump on or over. Even if that means ricocheting off a near vertical bank. If you fall down, style it out, do a somersault and get up and do more running’

 

[SEL]

I haven't managed to get overseas for too long now, but the big remote rides were my absolute 'thing' throughout my 20s and 30s (ill health in 40s sadly).

The ability to gallop on a fast horse for miles through the wilderness of Namibia or splash through water in Botswana in sight of a herd of elephants are memories that I'll have all my life. Galloping flat out leaping scrub and crevasses in Tunisia or the guides deciding to beat their record from A to B in Chile because the rain was coming straight up from Antarctica - I was much braver in those days and it does me the world of good to remember that when Baby Cob has a toddler tantrum in a cornfield!

Money-wise most of those rides are now extraordinarily expensive. The prices have outstripped any UK wage rises so I'm glad I did them when I could. But if anyone ever gets the opportunity to go to Africa and join one of the fast rides in somewhere like Botswana then just go - its sensational.

 

[chaps89]

Where do I sign up?
Looks great fun, a good number of things they use in Arena trek comps but with added speed and a good number more of v active obstacles!

If you’re interested, there’s often sessions over at GBEC. They’re for people on the yard as a general rule, but friends are welcome, happy to put you in touch with share horses owner if you’re interested.

 

[chaps89]

Endurance for me.
I’ll caveat by saying my experience extends to handful of novice rides, crewing at one FEI event and all a few years ago now but it’s the first thing I’d aim to get back into if I get another ridden one.

I’m a competitive person but fall apart when I’m being watched - so this allows me to be competitive without being under direct examination.
I like that you can be technical, plot your route, speed, work on heart rate etc.
No need for endless polishing of horse, rider or tack (indeed, a lot of the tack can go in the washing machine, win)
You have to have a good relationship with your horse to be successful if you’re asking questions of them
See lots of different parts of the country and ride in places usually off limits
But even with all of that you’ll still get a frilly to show for it!

(Actually, I think those are all reasons I’m enjoying triathlon too ? )

I know it’s got it’s controversy and there’s a lot to still do from an ethics/welfare perspective but for me it wins all day long

 

[The Xmas Furry]

If you’re interested, there’s often sessions over at GBEC. They’re for people on the yard as a general rule, but friends are welcome, happy to put you in touch with share horses owner if you’re interested.

That sounds really interesting, I'd love to go along on foot to watch at some point x

 

[SEL]

Endurance for me.
I’ll caveat by saying my experience extends to handful of novice rides, crewing at one FEI event and all a few years ago now but it’s the first thing I’d aim to get back into if I get another ridden one.

I’m a competitive person but fall apart when I’m being watched - so this allows me to be competitive without being under direct examination.
I like that you can be technical, plot your route, speed, work on heart rate etc.
No need for endless polishing of horse, rider or tack (indeed, a lot of the tack can go in the washing machine, win)
You have to have a good relationship with your horse to be successful if you’re asking questions of them
See lots of different parts of the country and ride in places usually off limits
But even with all of that you’ll still get a frilly to show for it!

(Actually, I think those are all reasons I’m enjoying triathlon too ? )

I know it’s got it’s controversy and there’s a lot to still do from an ethics/welfare perspective but for me it wins all day long

I've got friends now up in the Peak District who do low level endurance and really aren't particularly competitive but seem to have a huge amount of fun and do fantastic routes. I used to exercise some endurance horses about 10 years ago and that kept me really fit. We had a set point from their yard where we had to stay in walk and once we hit the tracks in the woods and common it was trotting and cantering all the way.

I'd definitely be up for having a go