Getting Into Eventing

Quote:

DO NOT EVER UNDER ESTIMATE THIS SPORT regardless of "how experienced" or "how knowledgeable" you are. And those who do under estimate this sport, do not belong out there. I've been Eventing since High School, and do you think I school CC without a Coach? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I do NOT under estimate this sport for one second, and I become infuriated at those who do not take this sport as seriously as I do. I've competed high up in the Lower Levels, and I've never schooled without eyes on the ground.

Um, I don't think I ever mentioned that anyone can now enough, or be experienced enough not to need instruction/eyes on the ground. However, the US is waaaay more trainer oriented than Australia - Totally different culture. It is not feasible here for every rider to have a trainer/instructor with them every time they ride a CC course. There are many 'open to the public' CC courses - Often the ONLY place people can train. Instructors here are busy, and often only teach at a riding school or their own place - Which a lot of the time do not have the same facilities that the open CC courses do. They are also expensive - Paying to have an instructor present EVERY time you venture onto a CC course is simply not finacially do-able for the majority of lower-level eventers - Often they are flat out paying entry fees and maintenance on their horses.

It is preposterous to say that people who ride CC without a trainer present aren't taking the sport seriously. That's like saying someone who doesn't keep their horse at a place with a barn, arena, etc. isn't taking riding seriously.

So NONE of these people schools a horse on CC without a coach present?

Gee, I bet the coaches are laughing, that frame of mind must me making them a LOT of money.

Because I am completly new to cross country and so is my horse. I will train with my trainer there.

Go have fun getting hurt then guys!

GREAT choice Chinga!

I don't think she wanted an argument, guys. =]
Of course it's safer to ride with your trainer present. Always will be. But in my case, I have to pay everything myself outside of boarding. I save all my allowances all winter so that I can compete in exactly the events I want to in the summer, and have lessons with my trainer. Sometimes, I just don't have the cash to pay her to be there when I school jumps. If that's the case, I ask my mom or my dad if they can please come with me, just to sit and make sure I'm safe. Heck, half the time, my mom sits out by the jumps I'm riding, and reads in the sunshine, or my dad brings out the truck and follows me [from a distance] in it while I ride. If money is the issue, get a friend or horse buddy or parent, ANYONE, to watch you. It's better to have at least a pair of hands to catch a loose horse, hand you water, help tighten your girth, dial the phone for help, etc. Better safe than sorry. It's hard to afford a trainer every single time, but I'm sure all of us have at least a friend or co-rider who can help us out once in a while. =]

^ That is my point!!!! I don't disagree with having people there - I disagree that you have to have a trainer there. I would never ride CC by myself - I hardly ever ride by myself period!

Funny how I've been riding CC without a trainer for, oh, 8 years and haven't gotten hurt...

Chinga, awesome that you will have a trainer with you, and awesome that it is within your means. I am not saying riding with a trainer is bad - It is always beneficial. I just think it is preposterous to expect every person to have a trainer with them every time the step onto a CC jump.

Thanks guys, I mean I'll jump over a log or two at home without a trainer, but hey they are not really jumps. We just pop over them, they are fun.

I too want to get into eventing but do not have access or money for trainers

Then please don't try to go it on your own, it's ten times more dangerous than jumping in a ring and the likly hood of getting hurt is so high

savvylover, maybe work at a stable in exchange for lessons?