Would you think I was a prat??

[melv1lle]

Hi - slightly strange question but I wanted to get people's opinions. I am in the process of retraining an ex steeplechaser and am focusing on his ground work. After our lesson yesterday my instructor suggested that we should do an unaffiliated Prelim dressage comp. just to see how we do and (more importantly) to see how my horse reacts. He has a tendency when he sees more than 3 horses to think we are going racing!

Anyway my question is - if you saw someone who was dressed like they knew what they were doing on a smart looking horse who then went into the arena and was hopeless at dressage would you think they were an idiot? I know it is a daft question but I am worried about people thinking I am prat for turning up with all the gear (his new Albio K2 dressage saddle just turned up) but being hopeless in the test.

So honesty please - would you make a comment?

 

[FMM]

I am sure people will make comments as that is just how people are! However, you know that you will get better and better and the chances are they are already as good as they are going to get!

Look on the positive side - at least if you are worrying about what people may be saying, then you are not getting nervous and winding the horse up ...

 

[JoBo]

Who cares what people think anyway, JUST GO AND DO IT!!!!!!!

Any plus I personally wouldn't think you were a prat I would just think you had a baby like me!

Good luck, and can't wait to hear how you get on!!!

 

[ihatework]

everyone has to start somewhere!!
go for it

 

[so03]

It really shouldn't matter to you what people think. If it's an unaffiliated show I really wouldn't worry. Go for it and have some fun (hopefully).

 

[_April_]

There are always going to be bitchy people in all walks of life but personally I wouldn't make a comment and no-one I know would because that is just life with horses!

You can never be sure when they are going to embarass you hehe so it's better just to get on with it.
Everyone has been there so don't worry.

Just go and have fun!

 

[Rambo]

Who cares what other people think

Your horse looks lovely too

 

[0]

prelim is the starting point for everyone - i know people can be cruel but i think your worries are unfounded.....if you entered a GP looking the biz and then looked like you didn't know what you were doing maybe people would talk but prelim - go for it.. no one will say anything - and if they do f them, improve and then beat them!!!!!!

 

[_April_]

lol I was just trying to think of the times when I've been embarrassed at shows and I think my 2nd pony 13.2 takes the biscuit...

In jump offs she used to be very very fast but in bigger classes she would sometimes stop right at the last minute... knocking everything down in the process.
They then shout to stop the clock and you have to ride around the ring till they build it back up again LOL

I fell off into the water once at a x-country too that was quite funny for those watching I'd imagine!

 

[BBs]

Theres nothing wrong with having the gear to do what you are intending to do, what gets my goat is ppl who buy all the gear and then dont bloody use it! and it just sits in the cupboard!

You have to start somewhere, you are re-training your horse to do other disciplines - I too have had a number of ex race horses and we went along to dressage comps not expecting anything spectacular especially with one! who like yours completely lost his head if a horse canter behind or towards him - however, no one thought any less of me - and I didnt care what ppl thought - i was there for me and my horse ONLY

I absolutely love your horse btw - he is absolutely stunning! and I would be honoured to be riding such a beauty.

Good luck!

 

[miamibear]

No way i would think good on you for getting him out!!

I would steer clear of high level places and go to a place renowned for beginners

 

[Tempi]

who cares what everyone else thinks? at unaffliated level noone will be bothered anyways, its at affliated you get the opinoated snobs!! (not saying everyone who does affliated is, as im certainly not!) he looks gorgeous and im sure youl have a great time

 

[Tempi]

WARNING - about to crash post!!!

Where does everyone get their ex racers from? is there a website? (obviously i dont mean for all ex racers in the world, but just one i can look at!) also sales etc.........id love to have one to retrain........

 

[BBs]

Try ascot sales, dealers that sort of thing - or a telephoned a trainer direct they sometimes have a few they dont want any more.

 

[melv1lle]

Thank you very much - what a lovely thing to say

I think he is very handsome but (unfortunately) so does he! We have a mirror at the end of one of the schools and he can stare at himself for hours in it.

You are right about just thinking about being there for me and my horse. I suppose it is because I have not ridden in a competition since I was in the Pony Club (a good few years ago) and I remember how awful we were to each other then

 

[H's mum]

don't worry in the slightest... you'll match a whole host of others

Seriously - just go and do it - it'll help his training!

Kate x

 

[melv1lle]

The best routes I think are trainers or the ex Racers Club http://z3.invisionfree.com/Horsedirectory_Forum/index.php?showforum=21

I got mine by accident - went to lunch with some friends who live on a racing yard, went out to pat the horses (after a couple of glasses of wine), met this beautiful black horse who was about to get sent off to the meat man as he had damaged a tendon at his last race and I offered to buy him there and then

Probably not the most sensible way to get a horse and it could have been a disaster but after six months complete rest he is going from strength to strength (not bad for £500!)

 

[eohippus]

your there as a training aid for your horse not to do a catwalk show for others to bitch or moon over. He is a lovely horse. Remember you are not going as a competion capacity but for training and feedback. What spectators think is absolutely nothing to do with you or anything else. Focus on why you are really there and what you are trying to achieve from it.
good luck and enjoy the experience of a new horse
best regards
Dawn

 

[_April_]

[ QUOTE ]
I suppose it is because I have not ridden in a competition since I was in the Pony Club (a good few years ago) and I remember how awful we were to each other then

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL

Pony club can be a vicious place! Don't worry most people grow out of it... there are always a few exceptions though.

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Just go out and have a go. I've just done my first dressage test on my youngster (and was dreading it!). But we survived, managed all the movements and I was delighted that we stayed in the arena and didn't play skittles with the markers (as he loves to do at home!).

It's all about experience and growing together - sod what everyone else thinks. I'd rather see someone with all the gear who knows how to use it and when to use it than someone who just buys stuff because it's the height of fashion and has no idea what it's meant to do! Don't get me started....

Good luck, have fun and enjoy it!

 

[racingdemon]

All the gear & no idea is the story of my life!!

i am that person everyone looks at with a shiny lorry, shiny horse, shiny boots and every associated matching bit of tack, but can't ride! but its fun!

 

[melv1lle]

I love buying stuff! Sam is the first horse I have owned since I was at school (and not sure if they count seeing as my parents paid for everything) and I now spend all the money I would on myself on him instead. I am currently sat at work with two shiny new rugs under my desk which have just turned up - I love the internet

 

[H's mum]

[ QUOTE ]
but can't ride! but its fun

[/ QUOTE ]
... I thought you were going to finish off your statement by saying "with bargain horses coming off the lorry" - NOT that you can't ride! RD - You are one of the best horsewomen I know!

Kate x

 

[BBs]

[ QUOTE ]

NOT that you can't ride! RD - You are one of the best horsewomen I know!

Kate x

[/ QUOTE ]

Shes right RD - you are a fabulous rider

 

[Tia]

Just try to chat to as many people when you are warming up and let them know that this is the first time - most people understand and will be rooting for you! Or certainly that's how it was where I lived. Best of luck and go for it!!

 

[AmyMay]

Go for it, and don't worry what anyone else thinks.

My friends eventer is ridden by a professional competitor. The other day in the middle of it's dressage test it threw in the towel - stood on its hind legs to show the world it's belly, and promptly refused to move any further.

So even the professionals make prats of themselves sometimes.

Beautiful animal by the way

 

[Thistle]

When I am at Dressege I am far to busy concentrating on my horses to worry about anyone else.

 

[katiejaye]

I wouldn't, we all have to start somewhere! I was the same when I started out, Louis was a little nutter and I once did a whole test in canter because he wouldn't stop! I probably looked silly but I just had to laugh! I wouldn't think you were silly because almost everyone has been there.

My trainer competes Medium level regularly and still has days where his horse decides to wave at the judges a few times!

Don't even take notice of other people and if it does go badly then just keep smiling and remember it's only practice and every horse has to start somewhere...good luck

 

[ExRacers]

Can only echo what's been said above! I have 2 ex racers and the younger one has only been out of training since Aug 05 and I only started doing shows on him this year after spending time just hacking out and getting to know him. First show was an ex racers class where they all wound each other up & he definitely thought he was going racing!! Got 6th place after doing his individual display without any of the bucking etc that had taken place initially!!

Next time I took him to my RC dressage competition and he was an absolute star getting 2nd place in a prelim test. The quieter atmosphere meant no big yahoos and he stood like a lamb after the test! I could hardly believe it after the serious shenanigans at the previous show!

Last weekend I did a walk and trot test at another RC show at a strange - to him - venue and he kept it together and finished in 8th place out of 17 starters. I even risked doing the showjumping class and he jumped a double clear for 2nd place and stood outside the ring on the buckle end until the prize giving!! I'm certainly no fantastic rider and the horse can buck for Scotland & be extremely fizzy at times but his previous owner did say that he wasn't a stupid horse and he would soon work out that he wasn't going racing & probably settle into his new job.

Ok it's early days and he's only done 3 shows this year but I think the signs are hopeful!? Anyway after rambling on YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY GO AND DO THE DRESSAGE!!! It's the only way for them to learn and to hang with what anybody else thinks!! Good luck and ENJOY!! (Yours is a beautiful looking horse as well!)

 

[ExRacers]

PS I see that your horse is a USA TB by Be My Native. Mine is also USA and his dam's sire was Raise a Native who can be found about 3 generations back in BMN's pedigree!! So they're even related!!