Time to take a bow and move on to a different adventure

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ahml100

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Now, I do realise that the title could seem a bit dramatic for what could read as a pretty meh report but please, hold out and I will hopefully make this as interesting and not so 'pity me' if I can.

Now, from my last report it was clear to see that the dressage was not getting any better but our jumping was still the same brilliant thing i have always loved about riding Alf and we were gearing up to go to Sapey Novice, first novice of the season and we were hopefully to complete and gain the cic* qualification as Gatcombe in September was the aim. However, this was not the case as Alf just felt very uncomfortable and not himself plus, I had been feeling ghastly all week so we decided to call it quits after the dressage to get everything checked before the next event. So it turns out his teeth were in dire need of attention, so with that sorted and Alf working on the flat beautifully, Tweseldown novice was on the cards.

Now, Alf at the moment is looking a million dollars,

However, once again he just could not cope with the dressage, it seems that no matter how much training, with horses, without horses, different venues, clinics ect he just is not coping. This really made me think that for the past 4 years I have tried to event as it is what I have always wanted to do but, I have noticed that this season I was not really enjoying it, but I was loving the jumping. This made me realise that I was spending a small fortune to compete in a discipline I was not enjoying in order to compete in two disciplines that I actually enjoyed. This led to a long conversation with my father about the future. After all, riding is an escape from my Masters and competing has always been a fun day out but, when you do not enjoy something, it becomes more a chore than anything else.

As a result, we decided to enter an SJ competition just to see if he would cope better without any dressage and, well, I will let the photos do the talking!



Therefore, we are hanging up our eventing boots, though we could have a little dabble later on before my membership runs out, but will now focus on show jumping as for the first time in a while, I got that thrill back again!

Thank you so much for reading and I can not wait to write about our new adventures!
 
Well done with the show jumping. Those are great photos and he certainly is looking really good in all of them!
 
Well done for seeing the wood AND the trees. If the horse is an out and out jumper, then that is what he should do. I'm not surprised he's not so keen on the dressage, as his shape would not make it easy for him. Best of luck on your jumpy adventures!
 
Good on you for listening to your horse and making the switch. Looks like you might be very successful and a happy horse too.
 
Well done on acting on a decision and not plugging on and getting more chugged off - it seems to have paid off! :cool3:
Wish more people would listen to their horses and themselves! Best of luck in doing SJ - its a tad more 'user friendly' as less hanging about, less mud etc - and most importantly, something your horse enjoys doing :)
 
He looks fantastic. Good luck with your new adventure - now you'll get to play all winter and go to parties twice a week if you fancy :D
 
sjb10 said:
Well done with the show jumping. Those are great photos and he certainly is looking really good in all of them!
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Thank you! he loves it!

silv said:
He certainly has an impressive jump and looks very happy. Good luck on your new adventures.
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Thank you! hopefully we will have a lot of fun :)
Cortez said:
Well done for seeing the wood AND the trees. If the horse is an out and out jumper, then that is what he should do. I'm not surprised he's not so keen on the dressage, as his shape would not make it easy for him. Best of luck on your jumpy adventures!
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Thank you! I have been struggling for 4 years as he goes beautifully at home but, he is naturally uphill and struggles more when he gets tense. Though, for the jumping him being uphill is perfect and fingers crossed all the flatwork training will benefit him for the jumping :)

dixie said:
Good on you for listening to your horse and making the switch. Looks like you might be very successful and a happy horse too.
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Thank you! It has taken me nearly 4 years but we are both much happier now :)

JennBags said:
Good decision by the looks of it, he really does look super, he's a credit to you.
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Thank you! despite him not liking dressage at competitions, he schools beautifully at home which is why he is looking the best he has ever looked!

PorkChop said:
Super pics, he is so lovely :)

Hope you have fun with the sj, big plus is that you can win decent prize money!
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Very true and thank you!
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Well done on acting on a decision and not plugging on and getting more chugged off - it seems to have paid off! :cool3:
Wish more people would listen to their horses and themselves! Best of luck in doing SJ - its a tad more 'user friendly' as less hanging about, less mud etc - and most importantly, something your horse enjoys doing :)
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Thank you! I have tried for the past 4 years and though it has not worked, all the flatwork I have done with him, at home he is very well schooled, will hopefully help us with the show jumping!

DabDab said:
He looks fantastic. Good luck with your new adventure - now you'll get to play all winter and go to parties twice a week if you fancy :D
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Oh gosh! I better not tell the bank about going to parties twice a week!
 
Sounds like a sensible decision and one that should hopefully make you both happier. Looking at the pictures it might well prove quite successful too!
 
Lanky Loll said:
Looks like a sounds plan - as others have said there's always HT and arena eventing if you want a XC fix :)
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That is true, however, at the moment I am not too bothered which is quite surprising!

ihatework said:
Sounds like a sensible decision and one that should hopefully make you both happier. Looking at the pictures it might well prove quite successful too!
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Thank you! I hope so, really as long as we both have fun that is the main thing.
 
Thank you! I hope so, really as long as we both have fun that is the main thing.[/QUOTE]

You win the prize for most sensible and true comment ever posted on this forum, ever :-)
 
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