Update on the jealousy over my friend post 🤣

[Moomintrude]

Just wanted to say another thank you to everyone who helped me . I’m now feeling much better about my riding. After a few weeks of riding the schoolmasters I’m now back on one of the youngsters (had a great ride today . He was amazing if a little spooky but can’t blame him the blankets were very scary ofc ) I’m hopefully going to be starting to jump next week after speaking to my instructor. Friend is still riding the dopes on a rope as someone put it . And I would like her to be put on one of the more “difficult “ horses but I can’t exactly control that . Anyway thank you all .

 

[Cobxfan55]

Looks like i didn't see your first thread but well done for overcoming your fears by riding a school master horse

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I seem to recall your previous post: however what I would now say to you, frankly if I may, is that over-confidence is as bad (if not worse) than under-confidence.

The other thing that I would say, again frankly, is that it feels very much like you are comparing yourself with your "friend". You don't need to do this. Your ability to ride any particular horse does not depend on what anyone else is riding or dealing with; it depends purely on YOUR ability to be sensitive to that particular horse and to ride it to the best of your ability. It matters not what, or who, "friend" is riding. It is irrelevant, end of.

The other thing I'd say is that if you've only just started jumping (which is what I think you are saying??) - AND are being allowed to ride "youngsters" presumably before you have learnt to jump, is that perhaps the "youngsters" you are riding are maybe a bit further on than just-backed-and-riding-on?? Normally I'd expect someone who is riding-on to at least have already learned to jump - and will hopefully have the independent seat & (hopefully) soft hands which you need for going over fences, which would stand the rider in good stead for getting onto a youngster.

You know what they say........ "pride goes before a fall".......... sorry, I'm probably being very unfair now I've said this. Anyway, keep up the good work, and continue to ask your Instructor if they feel you are ready to ride different horses, including those which are regarded as "challenging", because this is the best way to learn.

 

[SilverLinings]

That sounds like great progress @Moomintrude, well done for sticking at it and I'm glad you are feeling more positive. When we are young (and often when older too!) it can be easy to compare ourselves to others and what they are doing, but we need to remember to enjoy our own lives and find ways to achieve what we want to achieve. And as as people said on the other thread, there is a lot of learning to be had from riding a variety of horses, including 'difficult' or novice ones, even if at the time you feel you aren't moving forward.

I hope that you continue to enjoy riding, and like the rest of us you will never stop learning when you are spending time with horses!