why do people? Small rant

[[100855]]

I went to a local clear round competition yesteday. I watched someone ride the course, went and did a clear round without any fuss at minumus ( cos im really brave like that)! and came out... My jumping position isn't great but I hope the horses I ride appreciate gentle hands and a kind person on them.

In the minimus class riders come into the arena on their ponies/tb types... their expensive looking jump saddles and huge bit/noseband combinations, martingale, breastplate, spurs, schooling whip etc etc...
They either couldn't remember the course of 9 jumps or couldnt be bothered to watch someone ride before them so they had an idea of the course... They would start the course in the wrong order...The numbers are there for a reason.... I felt like many set the horse upto fail and went in on a really tight angle to each fence so horse ended up tripping over the wing/ running out the side door then they would come round and attempt again and again...I appreciate everyone has to start somewhere and would almost expect it of young children but these were adults. Im sure people deliberatley wind their horses up so they rear up just because there is an audience... Why do they do this? Do they not practice at home ever or out hacking? To look at some of the horses you would think they were jumping the wall at Olympia by the way they were ridden and what they had on...Pushy pony club mums saying you jump 3 foot + at home so why wont you do it now... To young child sat quivering on her pony.

I just cant understand why people would do this. Small rant over thanks for reading.

 

[Dunlin]

I suppose going back years ago I could have put myself into the "all the gear no idea" category, but, it wasn't actually how it appeared.

My Dad wanted the best for me and my horse and happily splashed out on all the best kit for us both. My Dad was pushy even when I was in my late teens (so sort of adult) but I suffered terribly from nerves, very badly. I would attend a show and my Dad would push me out of my comfort zone and stick me in a large jumping class. I would be terrified and muck it up. The horse would be on edge because I was and we probably looked like you described. To regain some form of confidence for myself and the horse I would head to the clear round ring. The problem was I was now massively worked up because I had let my Dad down and he would be ranting and raving at that point (bless him). No matter how many riders I watched before me I would usually get lost and make an absolute hash of it all.

I gave up riding when I went to University and when I returned to riding recently (I'm now 32) and my dear Dad is long gone I am enjoying it and have no nerves whatsoever, no pressure and I still love making myself and the horse look great with fancy gear and I don't care if I'm doing a walk, trot and canter class in my fancy Ariats, white breeches, show jacket and stock. I feel good, look good and I'm having immense fun!

That's my side of the story but some people are just errrr "special". A friend of mine did what you said, she wound her horse up at shows on purpose so he bucked, reared and spooked, she was all whip and spurs in every single class as she thought she was getting respect from her audience for controlling such a "difficult horse". Like I said, some people are just special LOL

 

[Hackie]

Some people just aren't very competent. Either they are new to it, or have just never learned for whatever reason.

Personally it doesn't bother me, as long as there are no welfare issues, they are just having fun in their own way.

The gear thing is a red herring. Some people can afford good gear, others can't. Its no indicator of ability.