I think some business models put a lot of pressure on people/clients to show. That is seen as the be-all end-all goal in riding. And it is easy to feel that pressure to go along with the flow in that model. I am currently at a barn where no one is actively showing. There are people who have shown and do not want to any longer for various reasons (I am in that camp) and people who have never shown. The never shown people all want to show, at least, they talk about it a great deal. I occasionally dabble with the idea of going to a show, some bad luck this year kept me from one or two small time local ones I had on the radar, and after that, I just quit thinking about it. I got very sick with a horrible virus and it took forever for me to regain my strength and regular energy level. In that time, just making it to the barn, having a short ride, and going home was exhausting. Now I am back to regular me, but showing is off the radar at least for now-- and that is OK. On the whole, I do not miss showing. I am having a lot more fun with my horse now that showing is not even a goal in the back of my head. That is just me. But not showing is a perfectly fine way to spend your time. It is harder to do that if you are in an environment that insists it is not.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I have been showing since I was 8 years old and I’m in my late 40’s now. Yes, it can be challenging at times. It can be depressing at times. It can seem pointless at times, but I would not change it for the world. Challenge yourself. Anyone that has shown horses for any length of time will tell you that the only person that expects you and your horse to be perfect at a horse show is yourself.
All you can do is your best, so simply relax and have fun. I have had disastrous shows from Virginia to California. I have also had great winning shows from Virginia to California. The only person that will remember how well you did and how bad you did is yourself and even you will forget some of it as well.
I would not trade any of my experiences, good and bad, for the world. (well, there was that one time in Pennsylvania when I split my pants, but hey, I won the class. Fortunately I had on navy blue underwear and when they called my number as the winner, a man from the stands yelled out my blue ribbon would match my navy blue underwear. Unfortunately no one will ever let me forget that). Just take a deep breath, smile, and ride as hard as you can. You will meet the nicest people while showing. You will make lifetime friends and make lifetime memories. Yes, you can stay at home and never show, but you are missing all of the fun. What’s the worst that can happen? You might fall off, but I have seen the greatest riders in the world take a tumble. It’s just like falling at home. Only it’s usually better, because someone will probably offer you a nice mint julep or a Valium. No one ever offers me those at home.
I have not read the entire thread, so apologies if I am repeating points already made. Riding is a social activity, so showing is popular because it is inherently social. But there are lots of different competitions, so showing is not a one size fits all activity. There are hunter shows, dressage shows, combined tests, horse trials, judged pleasure rides, endurance rides, hunter paces, team penning, etc. The range of competition runs from just fun to recognized. Most shows will let you enter hors concours, so you aren’t even competing for a prize. There are lots of choices out there and maybe there is something you want to do.
One way to figure out what is available and if it is something that appeals to you is to VOLUNTEER at a competition. I have run into few competitions that couldn’t use an extra hand. Why not volunteer at different competitions and see if any other them offer something of interest. And if they don’t, you are likely to meet people and make some “horse friends” in the process.
Many riders are not competitive.
Starting race colts and exercising them, competing with them in races as a jockey may have been fun, except it was a rough game for the more aggressive person.
It was not just you and your horse, you had to watch out for everyone else and some were not very nice.
Being the one that trains and manages the horse’s career or the one owning the horse was fun with horses in itself.
I still think, we should be open to any and all out there.
OP, don’t even worry about showing now, for or against it, just keep learning and playing it by ear.
If you are in a busy barn where they show and like what is going on but don’t want to show, as others have mentioned, you can participate without being on a horse and showing, by helping with the show itself.
Or you can go along and groom for your friends, or take photos or videos for them, or just cheer. There are a lot of ways to be involved socially if you would like that, without the pressure of entering the show yourself.
I enjoy showing. I get bored with riding if I’m not showing. It is the challenging aspect that keeps me showing and often local/unrecognized shows. I just seem to need that external motivation to continue challenging myself and my horse. For instance, we went to a local jumper show and I kept having to trot in the middle of the roll back type combination so I went home and set it up at home to practice. I would have never thought of it had I not gone to the show. My goal is to canter the entire course by the end of the winter show season and they put up some tough courses. My ultimate goal with my mare is a Training level 3 Day, but that’s a few years down the road. Right now, it is doing well at beginner novice and cantering the entire 2’9" jumper classes over the winter series. My last Beginner Novice show is in the middle of Nov.
When I was short on funds and my other horse was getting older, I didn’t show much and found myself less excited to go ride and found myself a bit lazier when I did. I always enjoyed trail riding and relaxed riding but it is just my personality that if I don’t have a goal, I get uninterested (uninterested for me is going out 4-5 days a week instead of 6-7).
I fully understand each person is different, however, and know plenty of people that just enjoy having a horse and trail riding. I know one lady that doesn’t really ride but she does horse agility on her farm. She recently bought 90 acres becasue her and her husband want to have cows and a real ‘working’ farm in their retirement. I’m not exactly sure why you would want to start that venture in your 50’s but whatever - I, on the other hand, am more and more glad I board my horse with my friend, especially when there’s a snowstorm coming and she texts me to not bother coming over because she’s not plowing the driveway yet and the indoor is snowed shut right now and she’s just feeding and staying in the house. No problem! I will definitely stay in my warm, comfy couch!
EDIT: As an aside, showing is not social for me. I primarily go to shows by myself and while the one winter series I go to I do talk to the owner and some of the workers since I have been going there so long, most events I don’t really talk to anyone save a few friendly words with my trailer neighbors. So, for me it isn’t about the socialization but really the challenge.
I showed as a kid and participated in college via IHSA. As an adult re-rider I started with grand ideas of getting back into showing. I actually did a couple small schooling shows as an adult and I hated it. I now ride and work with my horse as I am going to show but absolutely no thoughts of actually showing. I enjoy improving my abilities and working with my horse more than showing.
our horses enjoyed showing it didn’t matter to them if it was a local fun show, a Class A or a World Championship, they knew the drill and always expected to win
We used our horses and the showing by our kids as a tool to expose the kids to the hard knocks of the real world in a somewhat controlled environment that we as parents could oversee without great difficulty
OP, who says you have to compete?
I competed when I was a kid / young adult, in dressage, jumpers, and eventing.
But I “got out of” competing, so to speak. It was too much pressure to train to compete (while trying to raise a family and work full time), and too much money. Now, I truly ride for fun. To me, taking lessons, the occasional clinic, IS fun and I love to keep learning and improving. I have no problem establishing personal goals and working toward those with my mare. I don’t need competition to achieve that.
Even if I go to a hunter pace, I don’t consider it competing - just a fun outing with lots of inviting jumps that I may or may not jump! No pressure whatsoever.
It’s definitely okay to not compete- no one can force it on you. And it is okay if you want to, but are scared too. I think there is a fine line between truly not wanting to do something vs. not doing it because it is outside our comfort zone. I think every baseball player in the World Series was nervous and anxious, but they do it still because they really love it. I think as long as you are not selling yourself short and not trying to talk yourself out of something you may really enjoy or be good at- because you are scared- well, not the best reason IMO. I don’t know how you would know you wouldn’t like it without having tried it either. So maybe just try a few small schooling shows before you say no. You’re only 25.
p.s. don’t mean this in a bad way, but when you post something like this seeking others of the same opinion, it’s usually to convince yourself. There’s obviously a small part of you curious enough to post and ask others. Make your own decision and don’t apologize to anyone for it. that’s my advice.
