Been bitten with the Trial riding bug

Okay I admit I have been bitten, but now all I want to do is go out on trial rides and I know Buzz wants to aswell.
But alas I can't. As I am still in school and by the time I get home changed and go to the horses there is only enough time for a quick ride, in the arena....
I usually just say to my self I will ride tomorrow when we have more time, because I don't want to work him to hard as he will never dry.
Next day comes and same thing.
But on the weekends I have plenty of time organise to go out for a ride and have the time of my life. Buzz does as well his ears are always pricked and although his walk is still slow it has a faster step to it.

But I need to still ride in the arena, I need to motivate myself, do something different, I think I may start doing some different exercises.
Any suggestions or how you overcome the bug?

I can understand - being an Eventer I really enjoy being outside and as far away from the arena as I possibly can be. I find that hacking is the best way to condition both my horse and myself *ok, more horse than me...but I can dream*

But alas, we must do arena work, since there is more to my sport than conditioning - there is also Stadium and the most important, Dressage. What motivates me, is knowing that my placings can make or break all by my Dressage Score and where I place after that phase.

So, I have to come up with ways where my horse and I can work together to improve ourselves in that aspect. I have a great book called "101 Dressage Exercises For Both Horse And Rider" and I love that book, it is full of great exercises and aspects of building blocks to improve my riding and my education, so that I can try to be better when in competition.

After our work in the arena, we quickly get out of there and head out on a hack for fun - who's to say you can't do both? Work on 1 thing, and when you get it, move on.

Being out of the arena is great for both horse and riders mental state, I find Nelson and I are far more happier out on the trails than we are stuck in an arena - but we have to do it all to be well rounded.

Why would you want to overcome the bug? Trail riding is good fun for both of you. Why not work him in the arena on weekdays and set weekends aside for going out on a fun trail ride as a break from the harder work? Or, once school is out, set up a system where you ride twice in the arena, once on the trails and so on.

I love trail riding =) don't give it up it's great to get out

I trail ride once a week but its not as much of trail riding as it is endurance type riding. I trot about 4 miles with my horse up banks through sugar sand on the side of roads......it gets my gelding in great shape.

I don't have an arena, so no matter how short the time I still have to trail ride. It works - Just make it a short one!

I will definitely not give it up gosh no. I only just started a few weeks ago.
I wish I could go out for short ones but the reason I have to do them on the weekend beside the longer time, is I need to ride with a friend, as Buzz doesnt like leaving his paddock mate behind.
Hopefully one trail ride a week will keep me going.
I wish there were more trials around where I lived also.

I used to do the show thing. Did it for about 4 years. Once I got out on an actual trail, I haven't looked back. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy showing even though it was a little (sometimes a lot) on the stressful side. For me, there's nothing more relaxing than getting out and riding through the woods with one of my best friends. Both of them enjoy it, and they are a true pleasure to ride.

For me, once the trail bug bit, there is nothing I can do to get rid of it.