CMH
Active Member
I have lost a liking towards the competition world, so I'm interested in what everyone else thinks and has seen?
What angers you when observing horse/riders at competitions?
- Thread starter CMH
- Start date
jaquelin
Well-Known Member
The clueless - shouters - horsebeaters. Plenty of those at local shows. Parents -and theses are rarely Pony Club parents - who complain when their clueless children don't do well& who coach from the sidelines. Otherwise, I rather like shows.
Lolo
Well-Known Member
The people who mutter about horses who they have no idea about...
"You wouldn't believe the silly money they spent buying him". No, because it was approximately nothing, you fool. Massive advantage of looking nothing like your willowy little sister- no one knows you're related so merrily bitch away with me in earshot
Most problems with competitions are solved by avoiding the other competitors though!
"You wouldn't believe the silly money they spent buying him". No, because it was approximately nothing, you fool. Massive advantage of looking nothing like your willowy little sister- no one knows you're related so merrily bitch away with me in earshot
Most problems with competitions are solved by avoiding the other competitors though!
FreddiesGal
Well-Known Member
The loud "just give him a wallop Bertha!" types!
Lolo
Well-Known Member
We were at a NSEA ODE recently and heard so many mummies calling "Kick and pull darling, kick AND pull!".... Mum and I now have taken to bellowing it at Al just to embarrass her- she does her very best "I'm not with them" face
Hopefully people twig we're not being serious from our giggling afterwards!dafthoss
Well-Known Member
The ones that are performing some kind of dentistry by taking their poor horses back teeth out but are at the same time jabbing it with spurs, just no need. Those that decide the warm up is the perfect place to have a lesson 
and the ones that always stop the other side of the jumps.
and the ones that always stop the other side of the jumps.Marydoll
Well-Known Member
The ignorant gits that cut you up in the collecting ring, or the amblers that stoat about yapping and are practically on you when the actually look where theyre going, i used to just get annoyed at them, but now i let rip and tell them.
Achinghips
Well-Known Member
Nothing - too focused on my own ned and life's too short. I don't do anger.
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
The idiots that 'park' a horse with a red ribbon in its tail opposite the practice fence so if you don't wish to jump the fence you have about a three foot gap to 'squeeze' through - if you dare! The younger generation who whizz their ponies past you at a flat out gallop with clicky over reach boots on and then whack their horses bums with a whip when they are parallel to your horse. This has actually made my horse cringe, so if anything comes to close past him now, even at home he cringes and bunches up and shuts his eyes. Such a shame.
At the end of the day, without risking sounding like a snob, I would affiliate jumping every time if I could afford it. At least the warm up is sensible and they all jump in the same direction! People actually look out for other competitors and 'park up' behind the barriers where they are meant to stand, and not dotted all round the collecting ring at weird angles!!
At the end of the day, without risking sounding like a snob, I would affiliate jumping every time if I could afford it. At least the warm up is sensible and they all jump in the same direction! People actually look out for other competitors and 'park up' behind the barriers where they are meant to stand, and not dotted all round the collecting ring at weird angles!!
zaminda
Well-Known Member
People who take overweight/unfit horses to competitions, then wonder why they don't do well, then blame it on the pony. I actually overtook two people walking on the XC course one day, one kicked his horse on and wouldn't let me past, but his horse stopped at the next fence, did chuckle!
People who cut me up in the practice ring because they aren't looking.
People who cut me up in the practice ring because they aren't looking.
ClassicG&T
Well-Known Member
The psychopathic mother who get so wound up at competitons that they have a mental breakdown and the children have to idea what to do. i was once at an unaffil ODE and one crazy mother chased her kids round the SJ & XC with a whip screaming.
They people who use the whole warm-up ring and fly round flat out.
people who blame everybody and everything for not winning, obviously it wasn't their fault!
Also people who dont like/do a disipline because they didn't win.
Also people who say "i think we had better sell him and get a better horse" just becasue they underperformed at one event.
They people who use the whole warm-up ring and fly round flat out.
people who blame everybody and everything for not winning, obviously it wasn't their fault!
Also people who dont like/do a disipline because they didn't win.
Also people who say "i think we had better sell him and get a better horse" just becasue they underperformed at one event.
Jazzy B
Well-Known Member
The people who think they are brilliant, have all the gear and then proceed to get off horse box shout and whack their horses continuously whilst tacking up, then get on and shout at it around the collecting ring whilst making loud comments at their "people" who are dutifully stood around the side (one is an even bigger expert) and generally get in the way of everyone else warming up because the said horse "is insane" more like said horse is just sick of being shouted at! Then proceed to participate in their class whilst hanging off their horses mouth, come out of the arena (not even bothering to pat their horse) whilst making loud comments at their friends and then return to their horse box to beat the poor beast back onto the lorry!
eahotson
Well-Known Member
The violence towards horses and children.
DragonSlayer
Well-Known Member
^^^^^This^^^^^^
Unless someone was actually trying to murder their horse, I'm pretty good at staying in my own bubble, and i'm there to enjoy myself, not get steamed over other people and their lives.
charleysummer
Well-Known Member
over confident spoilt stuck up brats, went to a charity event, and although it was very big it was just unaffiliated jumping- I was walking the course with my team when some kids that about came up to our waists gave us the dirtiest looks and walked by chanting, 'you are all loosers, we are the winners'.. I seriously wanted to smack them round the face with my crop lol.
When i was smaller and in to mounted games, I was at a club show and had won all of the rounds on my crap meatwagon pony- having beaten this other girl on her brand new super fast MG pony (she'd been bragging about to everyone before the games). I won by a mile on my little dartmoor and he mother stormed in and demanded a re-run because she thought he daughter had won.. everybody looked confused because clearly I had! So the organiser agreed to a re run- instead i rode up to her - shoved the first place rosette in her hands and said 'here have it if it's that important to you' and rode off
can't believe i was so witty!
I hate people that just talk for a bitch, was in the cafe which faces the indoor arena and a girl came up to me and started going on about how bad this girl was riding - and laughing at her- i mean yes she was not the most elegant rider but she was trying and at least she wasn't kicking her horse to death and jabbing it in the mouth in frustration. I just walked off.
I have many more
When i was smaller and in to mounted games, I was at a club show and had won all of the rounds on my crap meatwagon pony- having beaten this other girl on her brand new super fast MG pony (she'd been bragging about to everyone before the games). I won by a mile on my little dartmoor and he mother stormed in and demanded a re-run because she thought he daughter had won.. everybody looked confused because clearly I had! So the organiser agreed to a re run- instead i rode up to her - shoved the first place rosette in her hands and said 'here have it if it's that important to you' and rode off
can't believe i was so witty!I hate people that just talk for a bitch, was in the cafe which faces the indoor arena and a girl came up to me and started going on about how bad this girl was riding - and laughing at her- i mean yes she was not the most elegant rider but she was trying and at least she wasn't kicking her horse to death and jabbing it in the mouth in frustration. I just walked off.
I have many more
glamourpuss
Well-Known Member
I must be blind/deaf or too wrapped up in my own riding as I never seem to see any of this.
Yes I see horses with tack/spur combinations that I don't use....but then I presume they know their horse much better than me.
Yes, I sometimes see some less than graceful riding but then I'm not perfect & make plenty of mistakes.
I go to competions because I enjoy them. Unless they hurt me or my horse I certainly wouldn't let other people's behaviour anger me [shrug]
Yes I see horses with tack/spur combinations that I don't use....but then I presume they know their horse much better than me.
Yes, I sometimes see some less than graceful riding but then I'm not perfect & make plenty of mistakes.
I go to competions because I enjoy them. Unless they hurt me or my horse I certainly wouldn't let other people's behaviour anger me [shrug]
Toffee_monster
Well-Known Member
As a photographer now instead of a rider I see loads of what goes on at the sidelines and I am getting very critical in my old age
The one that gets me is Unaffiliated show jumping, idiots who have never had a lesson in their life bouncing around on their horses back and then wondering why it won't jump, kids who get cross when their horse stops in the jump off and proceed to whack it every stride till its finished, people riding in spurs who clearly know nothing better than to kick it in the ribs and yank on its poor mouth with a Dutch gag in on bottom ring.
The one that gets me is Unaffiliated show jumping, idiots who have never had a lesson in their life bouncing around on their horses back and then wondering why it won't jump, kids who get cross when their horse stops in the jump off and proceed to whack it every stride till its finished, people riding in spurs who clearly know nothing better than to kick it in the ribs and yank on its poor mouth with a Dutch gag in on bottom ring.
Andalusianlover1
Well-Known Member
I was at Bath Riding Club HT last weekend and was mortified at the foul language in the warm-up arena and the teenagers on their fizzy Welsh D's hurtling round at great speed jumping and jumping and jumping etc etc etc with mummy nd daddy watching going "well done, thats it, keep going", poor ponies were blowing out of every orifice before they even started their round!
nagseastsussex
Well-Known Member
People who over bit their horses because they cant stop and yet repeatedly kick them on whilst wearing spurs.
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I don't really take alot of notice but there are a couple of things. People who use the outside track of a dressage warm up to stop and chat - they are a nuisance and I just tell them off now. And people who intimidate others. I was on the recieving end of this once a girl on a show pony with bellowing parents constantly cutting me up and then tried to come and watch my test in the indoor arena (to try and put me off- they had done so with several others) I complained loudly, marched over and told them to leave as they were banging around in the gallery. I also put in a written complaint and they weren't allowed to compete at that venue again. I wasn't the only one to have a moan!! Nasty bullies.
dressagelove
Well-Known Member
Try not to let too much bother me when competing, stay focussed as others have said, but I cannot stand people who really do think they know everything. Humility is one of the greatest skills to possess around horses.
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I rarely show because of this. My horses are not show quality and you have to have something special, even at local level to be in with a chance of winning these days. The aim of showing is to win and as I am always last or thereabouts there is no point in paying good money and wasting a day just to stand last all the time. I do dressage instead as we often get placed and do well in this area.
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
Don't normally pay much attention
but these are the ones which spring to mind
1 Young kids charging around on their ponies getting to close to mine
2 Mothers who say to their kid while its passing within the show ring, *** come on *** yank get his head in *** showing a sea saw action for kid to do.
3. people who enter the wrong class ie full arab entering part bred class,
4. people who park to close to my ramp or the side of my box where i would tie up
5. people who let their dogs wander about so they can get in your box or trailer or p up it
6. people who skip out their trailer in the field when there are signs asking not too
7. people who let their horse get to close or it bumps into yours
8. snotty loud mouth competitors who think they know it all and look down their noses
9 judges who have favorites whom they know personally or put a certain type in the top 6 and ignore the rest of us ( happens to often)
One example 2 years ago in coloured and odd coloured class judge all but ignored me in hand walking round/ trotting to rear of the group etc and the rest of the odd coloured.
The wining line up consited of 9 SHOW COLOURED COBS all of which had been in the line up of the 2 classes before family horse and best condition
Think thats my top 9. to early to think of more
but these are the ones which spring to mind
1 Young kids charging around on their ponies getting to close to mine
2 Mothers who say to their kid while its passing within the show ring, *** come on *** yank get his head in *** showing a sea saw action for kid to do.
3. people who enter the wrong class ie full arab entering part bred class,
4. people who park to close to my ramp or the side of my box where i would tie up
5. people who let their dogs wander about so they can get in your box or trailer or p up it
6. people who skip out their trailer in the field when there are signs asking not too
7. people who let their horse get to close or it bumps into yours
8. snotty loud mouth competitors who think they know it all and look down their noses
9 judges who have favorites whom they know personally or put a certain type in the top 6 and ignore the rest of us ( happens to often)
One example 2 years ago in coloured and odd coloured class judge all but ignored me in hand walking round/ trotting to rear of the group etc and the rest of the odd coloured.
The wining line up consited of 9 SHOW COLOURED COBS all of which had been in the line up of the 2 classes before family horse and best condition
Think thats my top 9. to early to think of more
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alext
Well-Known Member
I would love to be able to say nothing! Unfortunately when it comes to shows I forget until I'm on my girl in the warm up ring with people heading at you from all directions! Especially hate when warming up for jumping and someone canters infont of you as you land from the jump( admit I do very small show jumping ).
and then there are the people who mutter about your horse not realising the rest of my yard are stood next to them! Having had a standardbred pacer who was quirky and obviously looked lame when pacing which he did alot when excited , comments about him weren't very nice and the old owner warned me that people would comment! Of course I just took it that these horse people weren't very educated and obviously didn't know what a pacer is
Oddly(the pacer was controversially bitted) it does annoy me seeing kids in spurs and the three ring oh and with a flash that's always fitted to low . But then I just a thing about three rings!!
and then there are the people who mutter about your horse not realising the rest of my yard are stood next to them! Having had a standardbred pacer who was quirky and obviously looked lame when pacing which he did alot when excited , comments about him weren't very nice and the old owner warned me that people would comment! Of course I just took it that these horse people weren't very educated and obviously didn't know what a pacer is
Oddly(the pacer was controversially bitted) it does annoy me seeing kids in spurs and the three ring oh and with a flash that's always fitted to low . But then I just a thing about three rings!!
YasandCrystal
Well-Known Member
Pony Club mums with 'ambitions' for their children!
Adults relentlessly 'riding in' their kids show/lead rein pony for an hour before said kid can sit on it!
Adults relentlessly 'riding in' their kids show/lead rein pony for an hour before said kid can sit on it!
katiey
Well-Known Member
The ones that are performing some kind of dentistry by taking their poor horses back teeth out but are at the same time jabbing it with spurs, just no need. Those that decide the warm up is the perfect place to have a lesson
Totally agree with this!! Can't see much worse than a poor horse being yanked and kick with spurs. They always have such a confused and worried expression :-(
And stopping other side of fences... big grr!!!
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
Hate seeing anyone blame the horse for what is clearly their own fault.
Riders at a very novice level jumping without neckstraps & socking the horses mouth every jump
I do dislike the odd pothunter you get but I also hate people who call anyone better than them a pot hunter or make assumptions the winners must have been bought expensive school masters
The kick & pull thing- my friend & I used to take great amusement in shouting 'kick on darling' whilst the other was jumping.
Now I do the local show stuff with daughter I notice far more bitching than I ever did at any comps I did.
Riders at a very novice level jumping without neckstraps & socking the horses mouth every jump
I do dislike the odd pothunter you get but I also hate people who call anyone better than them a pot hunter or make assumptions the winners must have been bought expensive school masters
The kick & pull thing- my friend & I used to take great amusement in shouting 'kick on darling' whilst the other was jumping.
Now I do the local show stuff with daughter I notice far more bitching than I ever did at any comps I did.
Parker79
Well-Known Member
1. Lame horses being made to do a dressage... rider is blissfully unaware.
2. Kids in spurs
3. Horses being beaten for allsorts.
4. Adults and Kids with heavy hands riding in 'contraptions'
5. Horses and ponies pulled into and outline and kicked around!!!
I wont go on....I shouldn't look but I'm afraid it does put me off. I am happy to say that I do also managed to see the nice side to showing...the nice faimilies doting on their ponies, the riders who are grinning from ear to ear when their pride and joy horsey does them proud! love that!
2. Kids in spurs
3. Horses being beaten for allsorts.
4. Adults and Kids with heavy hands riding in 'contraptions'
5. Horses and ponies pulled into and outline and kicked around!!!
I wont go on....I shouldn't look but I'm afraid it does put me off. I am happy to say that I do also managed to see the nice side to showing...the nice faimilies doting on their ponies, the riders who are grinning from ear to ear when their pride and joy horsey does them proud! love that!
EquiGal92
Well-Known Member
When horse/pony is being hit over and over again by the rider using a whip when it was probably the riders fault when the horse did something "wrong". I also saw this little boy fall off in the collecting ring and after being hugged etc by the mum, the dad turned round the pony and give it a slap over and over again on the head/neck - my heart was broken as the pony would not have known what he did "wrong" after a longish time 
And worst of all these incidents are at COUNTY LEVEL
And worst of all these incidents are at COUNTY LEVEL 
georgiegirl
Well-Known Member
Like most have said I just tend to get on with it at competitions - the only real bugbear I have is people warming up for dressage who have no control of their schooling whips! Autumn has been on the receiving end of a few people passing very close with their schooling whip waving around allover the place
Oh and not passing left to left either - I dont want to have to do a big swerve/emergency stop and upset my horses warm up because you dont know the rules of riding in an arena thankyou very much!
Oh and not passing left to left either - I dont want to have to do a big swerve/emergency stop and upset my horses warm up because you dont know the rules of riding in an arena thankyou very much!