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Pick my riding discipline!

5K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  ShezaCharmer 
#1 ·
I was showing 2nd level dressage and schooling 3rd, but I got burned out. I think it's a lot to ask of a horse, and a lot of time spent in a tiny arena. However, I MIGHT consider going back to it if I could find a horse who really enjoyed it (my mare didn't).

Then I started jumping, because that's what my mare enjoys doing. I can jump 3ft okay, but... to be frank, the bigger stuff scares me. I don't know if I have a huge future in jumping. I'm not an adrenaline junkie, so jumpers is kind of out. And everyone tells me how biased Hunters is, so that doesn't sound fun either.

Trail riding is kind of out too. It's fun, but I'm the kind of person who loves to have goals and train hard for something. Relaxed riding is kind of... boring. It has it's place, yes, and I do it regularly for my horse, but it can't be the only thing I do.

So basically, I want something with horses to train for and pursue, but I don't know what. Do any of you have any words of wisdom or ideas? This really has been bothering me a lot, so I'll be grateful to hear EVERYTHING :)
 
#2 ·
If your horse enjoys jumping and 3 feet is your limit, I think hunters would be nice change, not too drastic, but different. I think hunters is fun, it does have it's snooty know it all people, but so does every discipline.

But if you want to do something completely different, have you considered barrel racing or some western disciplines?
 
#3 ·
You sound like me! I get bored with too much dressage, and I think my horse does too. I get a bit nervous doing the big jumps like I did when I was a kid. I guess my discipline is hunters, but I try to do something different every day. Most of our work is flatwork with dressage basics, jump about 2' a few times a week, and get a trail ride in whenever the weather is decent. You don't have to limit yourself to one discipline!
 
#5 ·
You sound like me! I get bored with too much dressage, and I think my horse does too. I get a bit nervous doing the big jumps like I did when I was a kid. I guess my discipline is hunters, but I try to do something different every day. Most of our work is flatwork with dressage basics, jump about 2' a few times a week, and get a trail ride in whenever the weather is decent. You don't have to limit yourself to one discipline!
I agree. I think no matter what discipline I choose, I'll still do a little of everything :) I think it's good for the horses to not drill them in just one thing. They need a variety just as much as we do! But it would be nice to have something to really pursue, and do the other events on the side
 
#8 ·
Endurance riding! Wow, um, I don't know. That would definitely give me something to train for! I'll have to think about that one :D

I'll go to a western show soon, see if it looks fun, and talk to people!

So hunters really isn't that bad? What about hunter under saddle (on the flat)? I see a lot of that, but it looks really boring. Not saying that it IS boring, because I'm sure a lot of hard work goes into it... I just wonder what kind of enjoyment it brings, in a curious way, not a judgemental way
 
#9 ·
Hahaha...hunters can be boring, ie, the shows are long, and drag out all day, there is a million schooling breaks...watching hunters can be a snooze fest. I would rather do jumpers, but my horse isn't ready for that yet.

But when you are riding in the shows it's more exciting, mainly because you are riding. Hunter under saddle isn't really far off from dressage, but I think, since I never rode dressage, that it is way more difficult than hunter under saddle.

If you are looking for something not too far from dressage, and involves jumping, but not jumping huge fences. Then hunters would be a discipline to look into more. But if you want more of a challenge then something else would be better
 
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