why are people so bitchy about rich horsey people?!

There is a very peculiar inverse snobbery in the horseworld - don't get me wrong, there's plenty of traditional snobbery too!

The money thing firstly comes down to jealousy, pure and simple. I do get fed up with the notion that beating someone on an expensive horse when you're on a cheap horse means you deserve some kind of medal.

Don't get me wrong, Zoomy was £1 and I do get a huge sense of satisfaction when she goes well against more expensive horses.....but I also get a sense of satisfaction when we get eliminated but she's jumped a hard combination/big scary jump etc. In other words, it's not anything to do with the other person, just about me and Zoom and our progress.

On the other hand, I don't begrudge those of you who buy a £10k horse and go out and do BE on it, since I am too **** to do BE anyway so I respect the fact you have the skills to pilot a classy horse :)

I guess this is slightly off topic. Going back to the OP, jealousy is unfortunately human nature and it's bloody annoying!!!
 
Not quite sure what people would make of me - all the gear and no idea probably!

I turn up in an 04 lorry, which is my life savings and mortgage deposit. Generally alone, but have nice saddles and shiney things, however I don't smoke, or go out much so spend most of my wages on the horses.

My horse is a home bred that I trained myself so basically only cost the stud fee!

I am deeply jealous of the teenagers who have everything including the parents who run around with them, they don't even have to work yet!!!;)
 
I think a few of you have hit the nail on the head.

There are nasty twisted people around rich or poor!! There are the jam things down your throat folk & there are the poor me types. There's many more also lol.

Lets face it to have horses you have to have SOME money they are a luxury.

I dont have everything but i certainly dont do bad im very grateful for everything i have & im far from a jelous person.
I met a lady a few years back who parked up next to me in a brand new Oakley.
It was without a doubt the nicest lorry ive ever seen. The lady in question was also just about one of the nicest people ive ever met. However many wouldnt even giver her the time of day because she definitely does have all the gear.

The firsts words that came out of my mouth where " your lorry is just amazing"!! Then she said thank you & then said it's rare for anyone to talk to me. How sad is that!!

The lady also isnt a fab rider but is working on it, in fact i saw her at one of the area festivals & she won her class. However the lorry didnt have anyone parked next to it on either side & the lorry park was full. I find it really sad how so many people pre-judge others.
 
I don't work, I have a nice horse, expensive tack, a lovely life, and I appreciate that and never, ever take it for granted! So on the basis of people looking in, I am lucky. However, I yearn for a horsebox (cannot afford one), I drive a W reg Range Rover that is in diabolical condition and needs scrapping, but I cannot afford a new car...cannot wait to get a *number* reg car, will be very exciting LOL! I don't go out very much and I never go shopping for myself unless I specifically need something. I have incredibly high lux tastes that my budget does not allow me to indulge in although I wish I could.

I will hold my hands up and say yes, I do get incredibly envy at times, I would LOVE a Theault box and someone to drive me around, regular training, a new car and a wardrobe consisting of things I bought without looking at the price tag...so yes, envious, but I would never begrudge those that have it, I just think *lucky them* and hope my lotto numbers come up :D
 
I love the fact that you don't just want a box Weezy, you want a chauffeur too! That is brilliant! :D I still want the Louboutins and they are not even horsey....
 
It's not just the horsey world. I experience some very "uncomfortable" attitudes from some of the beaters when I go out with my Uncles' shoot, as they assume I must be as loaded as other branches of my family, and treat me with total 'suspicion'.

I've actually had other beaters asking me why I'm not shooting as I'm "one of the posh ones". :o

One shoot I lost my dog's slip lead, so I had to buy another for the subsequent week. One of the beaters said to me "You didn't buy that specially did you?", to which I said "yes, but it wasn't a lot of money" (and I could hardly take the dog out without it), and he said "What's not a lot of money to you, £50?!":eek: Erm, for a dog lead?!! No mate, try £7 incl P&P :rolleyes: They also stare a lot when I get paid at the end of the day, same as the rest of them.. :confused:

Of course, the fact I have a Cambridge accent instead of a Lincs one, and I have horses only help enhance their perceptions. BUT, the irony is, THEY are the ones who turn up in BMWs, brand new fancy Audis, Sporty 4x4s, and I have a little heap of rubbish, 12 year old fiesta :D

I'm sure my friends are confused that I'm not going to any balls at the moment on the basis that I can't afford it, at the same time as talking about buying a new horse, but it's a case of what I'm choosing to spend my money on - and that is something people LOVE to speculate about others! :rolleyes:
 
I am probably the type of person you guys would hate on paper.
But its a shame to have such a simplistic view, you need to look past the outside although not many people do i have discovered!

i am apparently spoilt just because of what they 'see' i have, although they know nothing of behind the scenes as it were and dont know me from adam.

i guess its just human nature.
Although i get more animosity from horse people than from joe public which i think is really odd! i suppose with horses you're projecting a more 'in your face' image than when you're just out by yourself.
 
cos they're so many sado's in life............

Money can and does bring out the worst in people. If your not happy with your lot, get off your bum and do something about instead of wingeing, this is my answer if people think i have lots of dosh cos of horses.
 
Think the tone of the post is obviously and a sad fact of life....!

I trained for 6 and a half years in total and worked full time in my industry (no incurring any uni debts!) and was mainly horseless during this time, waited and waited till i could afford a horse and to do what i wanted with it and to buy myself £100 jods if i want them! No one else funds my horses, just me and i work sodding hard to do that, therefore i buy what i want, do the shows and clinics i want and anyone jealous of that is welcome to suffer the 6 and half years of working full time and home study at nights, exams, assignments etc etc etc to get Chartered!

I'm a big believer in you reap what you sow..............
 
I have to admit that I do feel envious twinges when I see certain people. I know one woman who is exactly my age. She is an ok rider, not amazing, not bad, has had lots of training and is probably as good as she will ever be. She has never had to work, and has, through family funding, her own yard (indoor school, solarium, two lorries, walker, grooms, etc, etc, etc), and stables full of very nice horses. She "works" in that she runs the yard as though it were a business, but it doesn't have to turn a profit, she doesn't have to sell or teach to keep herself going, she has a very nice house and car, isn't super rich but very comfortable, and can afford a trip to Germany every few years to come back with some lovely horses. Lucky girl, this is a lifestyle I would very much enjoy. But I'm not "jealous" of her - I just see her life and think, yes, that would be lovely.

And then shrug, put my head down and get on with it! ;)
 
Honey08 said:
My mum always said theres nobody as bitchy as a horsey lady, and I'm starting to think shes right!
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This part I would sort of agree with, except I would say it's more horsey people always have an opinion, some people are bitchy about theirs and some not.
 
Because horsey people are usually horrid!
TBF this is going to make me sound like a snob, but as someone else said previously it is indicative of British Society today, there is a lot of 'nouveau riche' within the industry and this coupled with the credit culture of recent years means we have all become aspirational, and to most people that is measured by material wealth. To the 'old money' crew, these people are generally asset rich but cash poor, and would not buy things on credit cards etc, so they make do and mend.
I am a bit stuck in the middle (not rich though), I own a nice house with stables, we have just secured some additional grazing at home, I do like nice things but I pontificate for months before buying, and then I always look after my stuff. I used to event (posh sport) but couldn't afford it, so now I hunt and point (posher but cheaper).
I am glad I don't keep my horses at livery because I find the atmosphere at most yards cliquey beyond belief. All stemming from jealousy and people with aspirations beyond their means!
 
Halfstep said:
I have to admit that I do feel envious twinges when I see certain people. I know one woman who is exactly my age. She is an ok rider, not amazing, not bad, has had lots of training and is probably as good as she will ever be. She has never had to work, and has, through family funding, her own yard (indoor school, solarium, two lorries, walker, grooms, etc, etc, etc), and stables full of very nice horses. She "works" in that she runs the yard as though it were a business, but it doesn't have to turn a profit, she doesn't have to sell or teach to keep herself going, she has a very nice house and car, isn't super rich but very comfortable, and can afford a trip to Germany every few years to come back with some lovely horses. Lucky girl, this is a lifestyle I would very much enjoy. But I'm not "jealous" of her - I just see her life and think, yes, that would be lovely.

And then shrug, put my head down and get on with it! ;)
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I would feel pretty envious of that too, I am particularly envious of ANYONE who doesn't have to work, that is freedom. But like you I try not to get too hung up about it and remember to enjoy what I have!
 
I don't believe that jealousy is an inevitable part of human nature... There are ways people can work to overcome these negative feelings but most people don't bother as it means dealing with those uncomfortable issues they try and leave hidden deep down... Or so they think! These feelings keep resurfacing at every opportunity (eg jealousy over rich horse owners) and leave the sufferer constantly frustrated. Shame most people just live on the surface so to speak as it is possible to develop the mind... money and mental development and hence fulfillment are not related! That's why some wealthy people don't feel the need to flash the cash and some not so wealthy people do (people on benefits with designer stuff etc.)

I don't think you need to be particulary wealthy to look smart. If you FEEL good about yourself then you are likely to perform better, hence why supposed Dressage Divas might have special outfits for clinics or lessons. I know I ride better if we're well turned out.

Horses have been my passion all my life, hence why I thought I'd work hard
at school and aim for a well paid job. If people look at me and think I've got it easy, then I wonder why didn't they choose the same options in life as me! Likely because they couldn't motivate themselves to work hard in the first place! If the motivation isn't there then money isn't going to help.
 
Of course its jealousy. I'm jealous of rich folk, not because they can buy fancy horses but purely because money makes riding / competing SO much easier and enjoyable! All I really want is a surface to ride on, that's it! Trying to keep / get a competition horse fit when all I have are grass paddocks is damn hard and not enjoyable on cold / wet / windy days! Being rich also means its so much easier to compete - I am seriously struggling financially to compete at the level I'm at and can no way go any higher because of it. So of course I'm jealous of those who can!

The horsey world is also known to be one of (if not) THE bitchiest industry anyway.
 
I can see this from both sides. Tbh, I'm an extremely spoilt housewife who spends a lot of her time playing with her ponies. Sadly, I don't have a Theault, but don't begrudge those that do.

What does wind me up though, is seeing someone paying a substantial (5 figure) sum for a horse and then refusing to accept that a lack of competitive success could be due to them.
Especially nice is seeing the rider return from the school in a huff, throw their whip across the yard and then plonk their steaming horse in stable. No horse does not get walked off/washed/cooler/groomed after this. This is the 3rd horse in this situation - the others 2 took up different careers. Yes, I am getting annoyed just thinking about it!
 
Well I agree with Dressager and think that money has got very little to do with it.

I think the point is that people seem to be very jealous, even nastily resentful, of people who have ambitions/goals/motivations and are prepared to sacrifice a lot for them.

We are most definitely not rich, I am 100% certain that my OH and I earn significantly less than most people on this forum (average wage in the UK is so so high!) but we have made certain decisions and definitely quite big sacrifices and now I am 'living my dream'. Yet I have met so many people who tell me, quite openly, that "I have it all" apparently blaming me for their own lack of ambition/courage/determination, and prefer to tell themselves "Oh, I could never afford that" without realising that money has nothing to do with it and it's actually a (much simpler) question of *wanting* something and working towards it.
 
FrodoBeutlin said:
I am 100% certain that my OH and I earn significantly less than most people on this forum
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Not that I disagree with you particularly, but isn't that irrelevant unless you live somewhere with a comparable cost of living to the UK? Just curious as to how what one earns comes into it? If I earnt half my current annual salary but lived in, let's say, Madagascar (chosen because I have lived there for several months in the past so have a rough idea of the cost of living compared to the UK!), my earnings would be well under what most people earn in the UK but my living standard would be far, far higher.
 
But that's the point: the cost of life in the UK is much cheaper than Italy or Germany, at least in our experience! The only thing that costs significantly more in the UK is property, but everything else, day-to-day life (everything, from petrol to car insurance to renting to food!!) is SO much cheaper.
 
FrodoBeutlin said:
But that's the point: the cost of life in the UK is much cheaper than Italy or Germany, at least in our experience! The only thing that costs significantly more in the UK is property, but everything else, day-to-day life (everything, from petrol to car insurance to renting to food!!) is SO much cheaper.
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Really??! How much do you pay for petrol then, cause I thought 119.9 was bad... In fact, shops like Lidl import food over from Germany because it's cheaper, at least that's what I thought?
 
My OH lived in Germany for 3 years and he always says how much cheaper living was out there compared to here.....food/alcohol/cigarettes/petrol etc........
 
Not sure about Germany, but I go to France a lot and find things in general pretty cheap there in comparison to here. Ireland, on the other hand, is definitely much more expensive, but wages do tend to be higher. Also, DIY livery is common in the UK, and almost unheard of in the rest of Europe (including Ireland). This makes having horses affordable in a way that they are not elsewhere.
 
Never thought that 'rich' and 'horsey' were 2 words that went together!
Most horse owners I know work damn hard to be able to afford their horses.
I don't begrudge people with money if they appreciate that the majority of people have to work for a living but, as in every walk of life, there are the obnoxious few who give the rest a bad name.
I would love to have the money not to work and so spend more time with my horses but unless I win the lottery that will never happen. :(
 
I'm jealous because I'd like to have lots of money, posh ponies, not need to go to uni/work, and be able to get them lots of matchy-matchy gear and drive a mini-lorry! However, I have none of those things but was incredibly lucky to find Bronson, and now bringing on a youngster is very rewarding. Sure, its a bit galling to think of what could have been if we could have afforded another horse that was as capable as Bronts.

The only thing I don't like about KP, Toni Terry & co is that their outfits, scary make up and posh hair dos make the horsey community seem like a bit of a false, precocious laughing stock to outsiders.
 
Maybe things are different in Yorkshire, I don't know, but we genuinely always felt life in the UK is SO much cheaper.

Petrol here in Germany is 1.45 euro (£1.30, £1.40 up until a few weeks ago ;) ), in Tesco's in Hull I can get it for £1.09 (unleaded; when I was teaching I was always very careful to get to the UK with an empty tank :D). I do agree petrol is a bad example as petrol prices vary so much anyway (cheapest I have found it is in Austria & Switzerland but possibly it is not related to the cost of life in general).

Plus you have completely free motorways, while motorway tolls are a huge expense in Italy. Cars themselves are sooooo cheap, pity about the steering wheel on the wrong side ;)

Car insurance is an excellent example: for my Mini in Italy I pay 1,000 euro (£850) a year, and this is third-party only as fully comp is virtually unheard of (way too expensive, nobody can afford it). In the UK, I think I could get it insured for around £250.

ALL horsey stuff (except perhaps dressage horses themselves :D ) is so much cheaper in the UK - just an example, a bag of HorseHage is here twice the price (not imported, made in Hamburg!), not to mention supplements (which I order from the UK and have them sent - 20kg bags! - as even with p&p I save, overall).

Also don't forget that in the UK you can insure your pets/horses for vets' fees, here you can't.

And taxes are cheaper in the UK.

As for food: Lidl is cheap but so it Tesco!
 
Yikes! How do people live in Germany?? Single people on an average wage must have literally *no* money left over! I certainly wouldn't be able to afford a horse if I was paying those prices.

(But Re. the insurance in Italy - that's probably because Italian people drive like loons! ;):p)
 
I think FB has hit the nail on the head... sacrifices!! If you really want something that badly you will find a way. If you can't afford training you can be a working pupil. If you can't afford a horse there are always horse owners looking for help. If you want the fancy horsebox you might not also be able to afford the bigger house or £20k wedding etc etc.

I think horse owning in the UK is pretty flexible as Halfstep said. We have DIY field livery to schooling livery, it's not that difficult to rent a yard or buy property with equestrian facilities.
 
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