Like others have suggested, you need to take a step back and evaluate whether your horse is really the right horse for you. There’s no shame in realizing that he isn’t. What are your goals? Is he helping you achieve them? Are you happy? Are you enjoying yourself more than you’re frustrated? If your answer is “no” to any of those, you should reevaluate.
If you decide he is the right fit for you, then you also need to take a step back and evaluate what you really mean by saying he’s a pro ride and how you can learn how to give him that ride moving forward.
The “pro ride” term really just designate a horse that needs a specific or controlled ride/program, as opposed to the “ammie ride” that is more forgiving, quieter, and more consistent. While the terms are industry-standard, what I dislike about them is it makes one think that a “pro ride” horse can only successfully be ridden by a pro. Which just isn’t true, mostly because the Pro and Ammie distinction doesn’t necessarily indicate skill level. @PNWjumper and @RAyers are better than many pros I know.
What “Pro Ride” really means is that the horse needs either a specific approach or a specific ride…or both! What you need to assess is what you mean by saying he needs a pro ride - why would a pro be more successful? Is it skill related? IE. do you need a stronger position? Better timing? More tact? Better feel? Or is it approach/mental related? IE. do you need to be less emotional in your ride? Do you need to be braver or firmer? Do you need to take things less personally or not let things frustrate you? Do you need to have more appropriate expectations?
These are the things that an experienced rider (pro or ammie) does well, and are the things oftentimes needed for the “pro ride” type of horse. And ALL of these things, whether it’s skill or approach related, can be learned. The question is whether you want to spend the time and effort doing so, and only you can decide that. Yes, a professional rider sitting on 5-10 horses a day is going to have more experience and skill to draw on than an amateur riding 1 horse 5 times a week. But you don’t have to ride 5-10 horses a day to identify the 5 things your horse needs from you and then learn to do those 5 things better. Don’t be afraid to take a step back, to put in the hard work in whatever area it needs, to really figure your horse out and become a better rider and horsewoman in the process. It’s SO gratifying, and is truly becoming a lost art in the modern horse era.
You aren’t alone. I would call my mare anywhere from a difficult ride to a very difficult ride. She is very strong, very mentally sensitive but physically insensitive, and very inconsistent in how she comes out day to day. I’m a very experienced rider but have really struggled with her and have spent many days crying in frustration and embarrassed that I couldn’t do better with her. I’ve recently made some huge, huge strides forward with her, and it all came down to me learning to eliminate my expectations (however justified they seem) and simply give her the ride that she needs. I imagined a pro on her - what would they do? I realized I needed to remove my unfair expectations, accept who she is (good and bad), greatly increase my patience, and modify the ride I give her. And I’ve had two months of the most consistent and great rides I’ve ever had on her in the 8 years I’ve owned her…and I dare say, she’s feeling more and more “ammie friendly” every day.
Food for thought!
