Snobbery in the horse world and happy hackers.

At the end of the day if people in the equine world spent a little less time worrying what others do and a little more time focussing on what they do the horse world would be a better place.

As long as horse and rider are both happy what the hell does it matter what they do. :D

Ooops just realised, I dont have a horse so my opinion doesn't count :o:p
 
It also amuses me when people call themselves competition riders said:
Since joining the forum I come on here alot & try to avoid any arguments etc as I can't be doing with chilidish tit for tat behavour, but I saw this comment & thought I will stand by ground on this one. I compete low level sj & xc at local shows around the area & while I am on that show ground I would class myself as a competion rider as I am at the show to compete against other competitors. If i was there just to ride about & not participate then I wouldn't call myself a comeption rider. So what I am saying is as soon as I am on the show ground with my show gear on I am a competion rider.
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Natz88 said:
Since joining the forum I come on here alot & try to avoid any arguments etc as I can't be doing with chilidish tit for tat behavour, but I saw this comment & thought I will stand by ground on this one. I compete low level sj & xc at local shows around the area & while I am on that show ground I would class myself as a competion rider as I am at the show to compete against other competitors. If i was there just to ride about & not participate then I wouldn't call myself a comeption rider. So what I am saying is as soon as I am on the show ground with my show gear on I am a competion rider.
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Yes I agree with your sentiment, BUT do you talk about your 'competition horse' ? Do you talk as if you are going to HOYS (as a competitor not a spectator :D ) Do you look down on those people who choose not to enter any competitions, because you are a 'competition rider'? These are the people I am amused by :D
 
I don't look down at anyone that don't compete one of my ponies I only happy hack with & do the odd show or fun ride. I also don't look down at non competitors as my mum has a cob that she happy hacks & we also have a sharer that only happy hacks. I have a 4yr old that I am bringing on to compete with so when he is out & about I would probs class him as my competion horse as thats why I got him to bring on to compete. I don't talk like I am going to HOYS, but soemtimes with my nerves you would think I was going to HOYS LOL :p
 
dressagelove. Sorry, I didn't mean to be sweeping and whatnot, very well said is all I can say! :) Everyone is different and so long as the horse is well cared for and things then that is all that matters! :)
 
I am one of those people who find hacking quite daunting- but compete in showing and dressage. So I would never ever look down on happy hackers- I am a stressed hacker!
Hopefully with my new pony, who loves hacking, I can enjoy it more!
I do like competing, my pony is a successful showing pony, and we are going to compete at county level showing, and dressage- but lower key.
I have discoverd a love of showing, but its not the be all and end all. I like schooling, improving, having lessons and enjoying my pony :)
I don't care if people just hack- great, enjoy your pony :) Afterall thats the name of the game!
 
Keimanp said:
In any topic Sweeping Statements are always made, it is inevitable. That does not mean to say they're aren't exceptions to the rule/statement.

I would say that you are more likely to find Warmbloods competing at a 'higher' level than you would a traditional 'cob'

I would also say that you are more likely to find a traditional 'cob' as the trusty steed of a 'Happy Hacker' rather than a Warmblood.

I would suggest that Warmbloods are more 'sensitive' to injury than a traditional 'cob'

I would say that 'Competitive' riders strive harder for improvement of thier riding than the 'Happy Hacker'

I would say that the 'Happy Hacker' has more bad habits when compared to the textbook way of riding than the 'Competitive' rider.

I would suggest there are more traditional 'cobs' and 'Happy Hacker's' than there are 'Competitive' Riders.

Neither riding style is better, the 'Competitive' rider will feel out of depth in a 'Happy Hacker' environment when compared to the Happy Hacker in his/her world. Similarly if the 'Happy Hacker' was dropped in a 'Competitive' riders field of choice they would feel more out of depth than the 'Competitive' rider. As would both horses if their roles were reversed.

There are times when the generalisations don't fit, and that is a good thing, they shouldn't. It means we have a wide demographic of riders in a wide choice of disciplines all able to help their peers improve and with that the improvement of the care of horses which brings pretty much everyone of us to this forum.

I am proud to both hack and compete and feel I can learn a lot from both those who compete and train and never hack to those who would never dream of spending the week in the school when there are so many lanes to explore with their best friend.

It is important to be able to realise the strengths and weaknesses in our own riding and that of others, to help us all improve.
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the truest statement on this whole thread. congratulations. I'm genuinely surprised how many hits my thread has got...
 
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