Hi all,
I am 16 years old and have a keen interest in making a career out of eventing, even though I have barely started…in fact I have just entered my first horse trial. Am I too old? I’m not a very good rider by many standards, and I haven’t had the experience most pros have had by my age.
Jock Paget, NZ Olympic medal winner, Badminton winner, qualified as a brick layer at 19 and only started riding as an adult when his dad bought a horse to go trail riding.
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Too late to do what? Become a 4* rider? Probably, unless you have a lot of money to back you up.
Become a working student, learn from the ground up and learn from as many people as possible…you can make a career out of it but it is not an easy life. I do know a lot of people who live this lifestyle and love it but it is all about grits and determination and long, hard hours and not necessarily ribbons and glory.
This would be a great time to become a groom or working student for someone and evaluate if it is the lifestyle for you. Good luck!
I started eventing when I was 30.
There was a time that the average age of the Olympic teams was in their 40s. It was believed because it took experience and knowledge to be that capable, something that young folks, regardless of how many horses or competitions they do don’t have.
Today’s sport is different. But there is still no reason you couldn’t do a 4* in your life. A good friend of mine did her first Rolex at 50 a few years ago.
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Too late for what??? You are 16…it’s too early for you be writing off careers or even know what career you want. There is so much life out there that you know nothing about. Stop comparing yourself to others. Do well in school. Keep riding. Go watch as much as you can. Keep dreaming but also keep at least one toe grounded in reality. Life isn’t what people post on social media or in the movies. And a living riding is NOT as great as you may think…a life always with horses in it is great and very very possible for just about anyone and there are so many different paths there there is no way to describe them all.
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Do you want to compete at the upper levels or make a living eventing? They are not mutually exclusive. Your better bet would be get a career that allows you the finance and flexibility to have upper level horses and compete when you want, rather than try and make a living out of eventing. If that’s the route you want to take, then I suggest being a working student, and preparing to take your teaching certifications, plus a degree in business so you have what it takes to be successful.
It is never too late.
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As in most equestrian sports, you need a lot of Time and money to become a professional.
Are you saying you want to be a professional event rider?
Or are you wanting to become specialized in eventing so you can train and teach others?
Either way, it’s not likely you will find your 4* path until you have had all the horses, all the RIGHT trainers, and and a ton of backing.
Dont rule out becoming a qualified lower level event event trainer. There is more of a need for these types of pros since there are more lower level riders than 4* riders. You will still need the best horses and trainers to help your record for credibility. Personally, I feel there is more of a market for a training and under trainer. But the key is credibility.
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Not at all too late! Plus ‘a career out of eventing’ is a very broad statement that emcompasses more than just riding and training - there are lots of horse related jobs out there eg: groom, event manager, equine therapist, saddle fitter, tack salesperson…
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I specifically want to become a 4* rider, professional pr not. But I want to compete at the highest level of eventing.
Then you need to have the money not only to buy a horse which is capable of riding at that level, you need to have a coach who can take you there. If I were serious about it as you are, I would work very hard to get to Preliminary and see how I do competing at that level. You should have a horse that will compete at Prelim, you should be competing at that level, and, you should be a working student for a 4 star rider, so they can train you. That will get you to that level, assuming you have the money for it.
Of course, you have to start at the lowest level. Do well, in otherwords, winning at each level then move up. Good luck getting the horses.
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Well, you can’t start at the top and you can’t buy your way into the top in eventing. Ollie Townsend has just won Kentucky, with all the associated glamour, but he is also one of the hardest working riders in British Eventing, running horses even down at the the lowest levels, the max number possible at each competition, day in day out, selling his good horses to pay for the youngsters he then sells to buy more youngsters, living out of his truck for most of the season. Hard work has won his FEI #1 ranking. As for 4* competitions, listening to Eric Winter last week, he talked of Badminton as “a test”, and of “testing both horse and rider”. That is the first time I have NOT heard him talk of a course being “educational” and encouraging for the horses. 4* is the absolute pinnacle of the sport and completing - not winning, just getting round - confers boasting rights for life!
So, no, not too late to become an eventer. Never too late. And with grit, determination, talent, good trainers, knowledge, luck, grit, determination, sound horses … you may one day ride in a 4*. Cherish your dreams but live your life.
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No. You are not too late. And no, you do not have to be super wealthy but it does take a lot of hard work and a bit of luck…and money does help. Honestly lack of time when you are an adult and working for a living (in horses or not) is typically the biggest hurdle. Many many riders do not start eventing until later. I didn’t do my first event until my 20s (after college) and brought several horses up through Prelim and one to Intermediate (from fresh off the track) within my first 3 years eventing (my first event was at training level). And I spent most of my youth NOT owning my own horse and NOT riding more than once or twice a week…but I was a decent jump rider in my teens and a brave rider who could ride a lot of types.
You don’t have to be eventing at a certain level by a certain age to get to the top level. It will be easier if you have some natural abilities and then if you get some good help. I’ve had (and continue to get) some of the best training around and live in the heart of eventing…those factors will help you get to your goal but even if you don’t get there (not reach your goes…but there meaning a location and trainers that can help you reach such goal) until after college, you still have time. Coming to riding in your 50s…getting to a 4* might be a stretch.
Never! You can ride until your unable stay balanced when you’re old.
people saying you’re too late at 16 to be a 4* rider are people who lack dreams. If you work hard and want to be a 4* rider, don’t let anyone stop you and get going! Find a coach who will help you excel, find a horse that has potential to take you there. Enjoy the journey!
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^^^ This this this.
Bahahahaha! Coming to (serious) riding in your 50s, getting to Hopeful/Intro/Grasshopper is a stretch!
