Somebody please tell me to grow a pair!!

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kat2290

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This is going to sound so silly, and the only reason in posting it is so you can all tell me how silly I'm being and to just get on with it and stop being a wally!

I have seen in my vets and local feed merchants that our nearest RDA centre are looking for volunteers. I would love to apply, it suits me perfectly as I really want to be able to spend more time around horses/ponies and they aren't looking for people with tonnes of experience (which I don't have).

But here comes the silly part...I'm too scared! I know it's ridiculous! I'm not involved in the horsey world at all apart from having my two minis and I'm nervous about putting myself in to a new situation where I don't know anybody and will be a complete novice newbie.

I've read so many posts on here about yards being bitchy places I think I'm starting to worry that I won't fit in and that people will think I'm a bit odd! Odd in that I'm a 23yr old who has no other horsey experience, doesn't know anybody involved with the RDA or anybody who keeps a horse on the yard, doesn't ride and doesn't own a horse or pony (except for my minis of course!)

I know I need to stop being stupid and it will do me good to put myself in to a new situation. Plus I really do want to do it, i just have this silly 'fear'! Somebody please give me a kick up the bum and just tell me to get on with it?!!
 
Grow some ;) lol
It is daunting in the horsey world especially as quite a few places have the stereotypical people who know a lot and let everyone else know that they do and make others feel stupid, however the majority of the time there are others there that are in the same boat, everyone has had to start somewhere, no one is born with knowledge, just go along, be honest with your abilities (I find this helps on the most part) and I'm sure once you get there, meet everyone and go a few times you'll soon forget why you were even worried in the first place :D good luck, and go for it!!!!!
 
Thank you :d I am being a silly moo aren't I! You have summed up my feelings exactly! I'm not so worried about the ladies who run the RDA; after all they did advertise no experience necessary, it's more the other liveries who may be around at the time. I can just imagine them thinking 'who the hell is this girl? She doesn't know anything!'

I need to stop being a scardey-cat and just get on with it. Tomorrow I will ring them!
 
They need people to chat to the customers while they wait for a ride, as much as they need people with horse knowledge. As long as you're capable of learning new things and know how to be nice to people you'll be fine :)
 
You will be fine!
Do you know the yard? It may not be at all how you are envisioning it.
Almost 30 yrs ago sis and I answered an ad similar to the one you saw, got lost on the way to the 1st session and when we did get there, seemed to be extra to requirements, there were so many helpers around but we were asked to go back the next week when there were far fewer helpers and more riders.
Since then we have continued to be involved with RDA in various ways, helping at riding and stable management sessions, fundraising, shows, setting up a new group. Because of our involvement we have also been asked to steward at a local agricultural show- and have stewarded for some quite well-known judges - and to be fence judges and do the timing at hunter-trials.
We have had kittens and pups from the farm, learned all sorts from the very knowledgable people who are also involved in RDA, been on RDA training courses, added RDA to CVs which has helped in career progression, taken our horses to the farm for 'emergency' livery and last but definitely not least, made some very good friends.

I became too busy at work to go to weekly sessions but remained on the commitee and have always attended the 'last night' presentation party every autumn. I recently stopped working and now intend to return to RDA weekly sessions in the Spring (we don't ride during the winter).

Do give them a ring, I'm sure they will be very welcoming and you and the riders will benefit enormously.
 
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