Does anyone else miss hearing the sounds of the horses and riders and spectators? I’d like to know how many prefer music, how many prefer “natural.” How did the trend start?
maybe because at a lot of the shows there really aren’t that many spectators? I don’t mind the music, most of the shows I go to it’s a mixed bag, sometimes there’s “background” music, sometimes there’s not.
Though I guess I’m starting to show my age because at some of the indoor shows, I think the music can be waaay to loud
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I wonder if the music keeps a constant din of background noise so the horses are less likely to be startled by spectators popping soda lids, crumpling up lunch bags, etc.? I also wondered if the theory is it relaxes the horse and rider and helps them find a rhythm? --Kind of the more sophisticated version of my daughter’s trainer singing “Row, row, row your boat” to help the girls keep a rhythm.
I love hearing music when I’m in for my round! It’s been about 50/50 whether there’s something playing or not, and it definitely helps me stay a little more relaxed in the ring. Found myself grinning ear to ear mid-round when Africa by Toto came on.
I don’t mind the music, but I like when I can hear both. Too loud music is a distraction and an annoyance, but light music I find has the ability to relax me - especially if it is a song I like.
I don’t notice the music when I am on course but I do notice it, at times, when watching.
I don’t mind it unless it is noticeably distracting. One schooling show played “Santa’s coming to town” (and this was in October too) and blasted it in the indoor arena during my round. Young children began screaming “ho ho ho” (which is hilarious in good fun) except that I was riding a green spooky horse who bolted across the arena when an ear-piercing shriek rang out.
I don’t really show at any shows big enough have the background music playing full-time, but I have attended some big AA shows that have it going. Usually its not that noticeable unless they play a bunch of Country Music, which I am not a fan of so therefore find annoying.
Though one show when we were waiting for the GP class to start my friend and I began wondering if there is a DO NOT PLAY list of songs, because lets face it there are some songs you might not want to hear when going into the ring…
Crash
Another one bites the Dust
Oops I did it again
Toxic
Here I go again
Free Falling
Loser
we actually had an interesting debate over “I believe I can fly”… considering whether you were flying over the fences with the horse or without… really changes the meaning of the song.
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They were playing Candyman by Christina Aguilera during the eventing competition… I love the song, but those lyrics are a little risque and I’m surprised they chose it considering there were probably kids around watching/listening. Hopefully they weren’t paying attention to the music or didn’t understand the lyrics! I’d be okay with the list above since I love most of those songs, but I can see where some wouldn’t want them.
I always think the music is too loud when I’m standing by the rings…but as soon as I’m mounted and warming up or in the show ring, I don’t even notice it anymore!
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A couple of our shows have music playing in the background, but it’s quite soft and I don’t notice it when riding. The same show has a couple of training shows in the spring and fall and for 25 cents you can have a song of your choice played while you do your rounds (arranged in advance of course). It’s quite funny what some people pick lol!
