Should i say yes or no?

I think some people have been very rude about the riders on this post.

It is part of the university riding format for riders to ride unknown horses, hence why riders are not allowed to ride their own horse. It's meant to be fair for riders from all sorts of backgrounds, it would hardly be fair if Emily Llewellyn rode Pardon Me at Nationals a couple of years ago. Some people who have never had the privilege of owning their own horse have done very well in the university competitions.

The riders have a limited time to warm up, I can only speak from a regional and national point of view as I have no experience of the international, but for us it was around 5 mins to assess the horse. In that 5 mins riders quietly ask questions of the horse to see what it is capable of, considering these riders are the best both in our country and from other countries I doubt they could do any sort of damage in those 5 mins! They only get such a short space of time so another 3 riders can ride the same horse, which makes it as fair competition as possible as they will be judged against each other on the same horse. At nationals, the first round is a prelim/novice standard dressage test, and 1m SJ (different horses), so your horse doesn't need to be a grand prix/1m30 horse to compete in the first rounds.

These riders will have got to the World finals through being quiet, very competent horse people. They don't get to the finals by hoiking a nose in or kicking a schoolmaster round a 1m20 course (they are judged on style as well as faults so it's not a case of them getting 'lucky' clear rounds).

I understand your worries about allowing other people riding your horse OP, I would be too. Ultimately it's your decision, but I know if I was to send my horse (who unfortunately has had some time off so not able to go) I would have the pleasure of seeing some top riders probably get a much better tune of out him than I would. I just think some people's comments on here have been very rude considering they know nothing of the format....
 
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MM makes a good point-ive nothing against other people riding my horses, indeed a client is having a lesson on CS on fri, but i KNOW them, i CHOOSE them, in this situation i dont have that luxury.

ive previously offered a horse to a para rider for the trials, again i knew her and knew how she rode.

theres a very good PSG rider local to me, trains with carl hester and gets a nice tune out of his horses, but he wouldnt suit my current horse so i wouldnt let him on board, its no slur on the uni riders at all, just a case of knowing my horse.
 
titch said:
I think some people have been very rude about the riders on this post.

It is part of the university riding format for riders to ride unknown horses, hence why riders are not allowed to ride their own horse. It's meant to be fair for riders from all sorts of backgrounds, it would hardly be fair if Emily Llewellyn rode Pardon Me at Nationals a couple of years ago. Some people who have never had the privilege of owning their own horse have done very well in the university competitions.

The riders have a limited time to warm up, I can only speak from a regional and national point of view as I have no experience of the international, but for us it was around 5 mins to assess the horse. In that 5 mins riders quietly ask questions of the horse to see what it is capable of, considering these riders are the best both in our country and from other countries I doubt they could do any sort of damage in those 5 mins! They only get such a short space of time so another 3 riders can ride the same horse, which makes it as fair competition as possible as they will be judged against each other on the same horse. At nationals, the first round is a prelim/novice standard dressage test, and 1m SJ (different horses), so your horse doesn't need to be a grand prix/1m30 horse to compete in the first rounds.

These riders will have got to the World finals through being quiet, very competent horse people. They don't get to the finals by hoiking a nose in or kicking a schoolmaster round a 1m20 course (they are judged on style as well as faults so it's not a case of them getting 'lucky' clear rounds).

I understand your worries about allowing other people riding your horse OP, I would be too. Ultimately it's your decision, but I know if I was to send my horse (who unfortunately has had some time off so not able to go) I would have the pleasure of seeing some top riders probably get a much better tune of out him than I would. I just think some people's comments on here have been very rude considering they know nothing of the format....
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Wait, i didn't know it was 4 people riding my horse in what will be about 20min! Now that has put me off slightly, 1 stranger i could cope with, but 4?! In my case it's not really about the ability of the riders, and i'm sure they are good enough to asses her in a short space of time and i'm also sure they are quiet and closely monitiored to make sure neither owner nor horse gets upset, my problem is that i don't know these people, i don't know who they are, what they ride like and i don't trust people easily at all! I'm always take a long time to really trust someone even if its just in a social situation, nothing to do with horses. And when it comes to my horse, jeeez i'm so precious about her, she's my first horse that i work very hard for to keep, she's my little baby and i'm not even that keen on letting my best m8 ride her, a person that has ridden race horses and all sorts and that i have known for over 2 years and a person that i see at least 5 times a week, i trust her yet i'm still not overly keen on letting her ride my baby. like someone else said, no matter how quiet and good they are every person might get angry, and if you do on this horse its 'game over', you will either get a rear and a spin then refuse to move apart from up again or you will get a complete cow bag that will only do the opposite of what is asked of her. If its 4 complete strangers that would ride my horse in aprox 20min, and i'm not allowed to talk to them or even watch then i'm not so sure anymore, 1 person, maybe, but 4, i don't think so. I will see what the organisers say though.
 
I think if you're that worried about other people riding your horse, it would be best for you not to go. It's meant to be a day to enjoy, but I think you're going to be spending the whole time worrying, which won't be fun for either you or your horse! :)

The horses get a break between riders, and 4 riders are all I know for regionals/nationals, it may be different at worlds. At the higher levels there's not as many riders, i.e. the final test is only performed by the top two riders.
 
I have done this for national student competitions before. Horse can be a handful and did take the pee out of one rider but went beautifully for the other 2. No need for plaiting etc just a quick brush over as horse is clipped. Apart from the hassle of transporting horse it's not a big deal. We brought 3 horses that time, one plaited. Aged between 5-8 . One horse drastically improved from it as he was a bit of a stopper and the last two riders benefitted from seeing what he was capable of with 1st rider. They both got him round quite nicely and he's improved for it. I'd give it a chance. I don't see why there is a real need to go all out with the cleaning of horse and tack though - no more than if going for a lesson or hack IMO.
 
i would probably say yes. i used to compete at uni and whilst i am average to hopeless those on the A team who made it to the nationals were amazing- to get to international then the standard will be very good. my horse is a brat though- if anyone rode him in a way he didn't like i am entirely confident that he would kick off big style and probably plant them into the floor :rolleyes:

i do think sometimes there is a tendency to think that only we are capable of riding our horses....i've been on clinics where people have said that their horse is so difficult for whatever reason and then the trainer has quickly assessed the problem and helped them to sort it in a short space of time- the thing is that more experienced riders have probably dealt with these difficulties/quirks before wheras the average one horse amateur won't have.... am not trying to criticise anyone on this thread or offend anyone btw- we should all do what we are happy doing...but i do think that sometimes people are too precious and a bit too tunnelvisoned about their own abilities.... **disclaimer** this is a general musing and not aimed at anyone!!!
 
They don't ride the same horse in 20mins. it's ins warm up then your round. Then next rider is only allowed to walk until 3 mins before they are due to go in. Either way doesn't sound like you'll cope with it. Forget it.
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
MM makes a good point-ive nothing against other people riding my horses, indeed a client is having a lesson on CS on fri, but i KNOW them, i CHOOSE them, in this situation i dont have that luxury.

ive previously offered a horse to a para rider for the trials, again i knew her and knew how she rode.

theres a very good PSG rider local to me, trains with carl hester and gets a nice tune out of his horses, but he wouldnt suit my current horse so i wouldnt let him on board, its no slur on the uni riders at all, just a case of knowing my horse.
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I can see what you mean, in this situation you do not choose who rides your horse.
I think I may know who said rider is and I would be wary of him riding my horses too, rides in a very different way.
 
diggerbez said:
i do think sometimes there is a tendency to think that only we are capable of riding our horses....
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Agree but also agree with PS - under most circumstances you choose who to let ride your horse, usually you have some degree of knowledge of them and their riding. You also have the 'right' to ask someone to stop riding your horse at any time; I have removed my horse and myself from a lesson before due to the actions of the 'trainer' when riding my boy...

I am not 'precious' about him in any way though, and have happily let him be used for BHS training and assessment in the past - with riders I have watched ride or my instructor trusts implicitly. :)
 
rhino said:
Agree but also agree with PS - under most circumstances you choose who to let ride your horse, usually you have some degree of knowledge of them and their riding. You also have the 'right' to ask someone to stop riding your horse at any time; I have removed my horse and myself from a lesson before due to the actions of the 'trainer' when riding my boy...

I am not 'precious' about him in any way though, and have happily let him be used for BHS training and assessment in the past - with riders I have watched ride or my instructor trusts implicitly. :)
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yes agree with this too...i think if i had one of those horses that would put up with anything then i would probably be less inclined to say yes but as horse is so objectionable and easily offended he'd definitely be able to look after himself! it was more just a general musing about people in general....
 
How many people on this post who are saying no let judges ride their horses?

OP - if my mare was suitable Id say yes. Theyre good riders and the horses are looked after very well. It's also good experience for the horse :)
 
I'm surprised OP wasn't told what her horse would be doing. I'm sure I'm out of date, but this is roughly what happens.

As Titch explains, riders compete against each other on the same horse ie 3 or 4 riders all ride the same test on the same horse and only compete against each other. There is a ' knock out' process, and so the best on each horse progress to the next round. Only 2 compete at the highest level, often to music for the dressage (and sometimes with a degree of hilarity!) Teams will have tactics that may include one rider for the 'hot' horse, one for the 'plod' etc. Assessing quickly is part of the game.

gbstudentriders,co.uk gives more info. One page (http://www.gbstudentriders.co.uk/gb-squad-profiles.html) gives an idea of the calibre of riders. I remember Frank Osholt competing.

Regarding lending your horse - it is so dependent on the horse! In my view it is not the place for any that may get upset by being ridden by strangers in quick succession. If my old horse, who can jump well and do all the flatwork tricks, was up and running, I'd offer him like a shot, but certainly not my young, neurotic one!

It is a lovely competition, run in a very good spirit, and gives a huge amount of fun to a lot of people. It relies on the generosity of owners, as there is obviously a degree of risk involved, but most, I'm sure, get great satisfaction from it.

There is another thread on this (Horses needed for Student Riding World Finals can you help?) in CR. This gives a list of phone numbers, if anyone needs more info.

I hope they have a wonderful few days!
 
We have an ex-racer who is a bit sensitive and can be quirky. We show him and every time he goes in the ring a ride judge walks, trots and canters on both reins then gallops him. Quite often a male and he's only ever ridden by girls at home.

If this disturbed him in some way I'd feel we hadn't done a very good job of schooling him. He copes perfectly happily. A substandard rider cannot ruin a decent horse in 10 minutes and we are obviously not talking about 'bad' riders here.

OP don't worry about it, go and have fun :)
 
HO-HO-HOney 08 said:
Yes, I agree - its obvious why you can't watch the warm up! They're meant to be able to get on a strange horse and assess it.. TBH they also want to keep some of the "know it all" type owners away too i would think!

It would be very interesting to watch, IMO.
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I dont think its obvious why you cant watch the warm up - its YOUR horse! I would never allow someone to ride my horse out of sight. I can understand the owners should stay quiet but its their right to be there.

I was on my uni riding team and have to say it was pretty harsh - it was well known that each uni would tend to provide only quirky / difficult horses so that the home team could ride them happily but the other riders struggled. The horse I jumped went great for me as I knew him but he reared up mid-round and fell over backwards on another girl... I'm sure its not like this at the finals though but I'd say it is horrifically competitive!
 
I would go for it, sounds like it would be fun! I'm sure there wouldn't be any really dreadful riders (as they would not have qualified) and I'm sure it would be well supervised and and anyone seen riding really badly or abusing a horse would be stopped.

As for the £50, I'm sure that's meant only to cover the expenses of the horse owners and not meant as a fee.
 
I'm pretty sure that if you specify that they can't carry a whip or wear spurs whilst on your horse then that must be followed, if you're worried about that :)

I'd quite happily lend Wilby out for the dressage as he's relatively straight forward and very good natured on the flat, plus there aren't going to be any 'bad' riders at that level! I'd be interesting to watch other people riding him who don't 'know' him.
 
Gosh it is very different to when I rode for my uni in the US. I can't believe that owners aren't allowed to watch the horses warm up. When I did it, the horse was warmed up by its usual rider and all the riders watched the horses warm up discussing which ones they hoped they'd get! So there was a lot more owner involvement. Riders then drew to see which horse they would ride. Owners were also free to watch the whole thing. I didn't have my own horse when I was out there but my trainer's clients lent their horses (one worth $150,000) to our team to take to nationals so they must have felt pretty relaxed about it!
With this world one, I would personally lend my horse if (a) I wasn't going to be shut out of any part of it and (b) they wanted her, which they probably wouldn't as she is only 14hh. Otherwise I am pretty relaxed about who rides her (she's been on loan to my friend's riding school) and would be very interested to see what she would do with riders of that calibre.
 
No ! He's my horse, wouldn't want anyone riding him I didn't know or am not allowed to watch ! £50 is nothing for all the work you have and will have to put in.

NO.

Eta - this would be if it was MY horse (it sounded weird lol).
 
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