Last Sunday I rode Bob. I really haven't ridden any one particular horse much as I decided last year (after a very stressful, expensive and NOT FUN horse show or 2) that I would not show again until I had my own horse; here I go rambling again...anyway, I rode Bob (why is it so hard for me to just say one sentence without a three paragraph explanation????
So, I rode Bob (he he) and it was mostly awesome. It was so nice to get on a familiar back and to just kind of ramble around. Bob is 13 now, so he pretty much knows his job. He sets his head just fine and can transition from hunt to western and back again with ease (gotta' love those Morgans). Anyway, I chose to ride hunt because it's a bit easier. We piddled around, worked on an extended trot, cantered both directions and did a few figure eights. I didn't try to force a perfect head set, but let him kind of go at a slight upward and forward angle. He wasn't star gazing or anything, he was just a little more upheaded, it was fun and he was happy (made me happy).
Towards the end of the ride, J showed up (UGHGHUGHGHGHGH). J cannot stand it if a horse isn't set up for show at all times. She believes that if you give a horse an inch while at home, they'll take a mile in the show ring. I think that is true if the horse is taking advantage, but Bobby wasn't....we were just having a nice controlled hack (in circles, lol).
Below is the gist of our conversation:
"Hi, J" I cheerily say.
"Where are your spurs? He can set his head better than that!" She responds. (according to J, spurs are a very important component in a nice head set).
"I know he can." I reply.
"No sh!t - can't you EVER say anything nice" (I am thinking). I gather him easily into a tighter frame and we proceed to work at a nice show ring worthy trot.
"He was really good today, I (tell her all we did, see above). His figure eight was awesome. He picked up both leads right away." I said.
"Well, B (17 year old boy) rode him western on Friday and he was really good. He had his head set perfectly...crab crab insult insult crab crabbidy crab...." J responded.(I trained Bob to go Western, mind you. We have won almost every class we've entered). This is J's way of making me feel like he only did well because B rode him Friday (trust me on this one); luckily I don't get competitive over these things.
END CONVO
Those conversations are very typical between J and I. If it's not one thing (like above) it's another. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, not long ago, every ride was serious for me. Winning at the shows was the goal . Now I want to enjoy riding, and you know, I want the horse to not HATE being ridden too...though, I don't expect any horse particularly enjoys it :). I have felt very sad about horses lately. Something I absolutely loved and lived for has become just a chore. At some point, I got it in my head that the only type of riding for me was show riding. Well, it just hit me last weekend that I hate showing! It's not fun anymore, it's very expensive, it's stressful, cliquey and I honestly don't think most horses enjoy it either. I hope that one day, with the right trainer and horse, I will be back at it, but for now, it's DRESSAGE , trail riding, bee-bopping around the farm having fun with horses again TIME!! J's not going to like this side of me too much, but she'll get over it. After all, I work for free!
5 comments:
I have a friend who makes me feel this way. I moved my horse to another farm for various reasons, but she is still my friend. When I ride her horses, I always hear about how much better the new girl has the horse do this or that. It makes me want to cry and scream all at the same time. I try to ignore it.
Also... the ad on the bottom of your post was for the tourism board of the County I grew up in. Does the internet know that I grew up there or is it a huge coincidence?? Either way-- creepy!
I feel the same way that's why I will no longer show.
I also had a friend that just nagged me constantly and said unkind things about how to train or not to train my horse. It got OLD.
So now we are endurance riders and going to start dressage soon.
You GO GIRL!
Well I have to agree with you about showing....how funny, because I have never shown much, LOL! I guess I just sense the stress of those who show and the horses, too. At the same time, there is something about the thrill of victory that can get the best of us. I think a healthy balance is key. I think your ride on Bob was a nice break for him, too. A constant need to be in "show mode" just makes a sour horse. In fact, take him on a trail ride! Now that would freak out J, LOL!
awww how nice that you just wanted to ride for enjoyment! I don't have much experience although i took lessons when I was younger, but it sounds like riding horses can be more about the show. I'm sure Bob appreciated that! :)
Run with it, JennyB! If you're not having fun showing, then why bother? I've never met you, but I have no doubt as to whether you're capable of knowing if a horse is enjoying him/herself.... and if you're not enjoying yourself, it will definitely transmit during your ride!
Go have fun at a couple of gymkhanas... do the bareback dollar ride, or the egg on a spoon ride, or just gather up some friends and play horsetag. Find a slow, old horse you trust and see if he'll let you trot on him--- bareback and backwards :) Not every horse likes it, but a lot do--- pick one with a sense of humor, and just go be a kid again :)
And then take photos and blog about it so I can live vicariously through you!
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