Would anyone?

[OveroHunter]

[QUOTE=Jsalem;5859471]
Let me clue you in to a little secret. BNT’s are business people. They aren’t fairy godmothers for the less fortunate. They don’t have a stable full of unemployed 3’6" horses looking for Cinderella riders to pilot them to fame and glory. If they take a rider under their wing, you can bet that they are receiving something in return (more than undying gratitude).[/QUOTE]

:lol: That’s a very funny and true description!

I was taken under the wing of a trainer once, she was a good one but I wouldn’t call her a BNT, and what did she get in return? Slave labor!

OP - I was in your situation once, but I was realistic. I got my 3’6 horse out of a pasture. She hadn’t been ridden in years and tried to kill me everytime I sat on her back for th first 6 months. It was a free lease, but I had to pay off all her bills (board, farrier, vet, lessons, shows, etc.) and like I mentioned earlier - I was SLAVE labor to my trainer, but I was able to work lessons off. It worked out well in the long run and taught me many things - such as don’t expect anyone to hand you anything…

[fordtraktor]

Yep.

If you don’t have money, you need a great attitude and a job as a working student. The easiest way to get catch rides (and do well on them) is to get show rides on the horses you exercise for a trainer at home, sales horses that need exposure in the children’s/junior classes. You need to make yourself valuable enough to deserve such rides, which means you work your butt off, all the time. My horse show day began at 5 a.m. if I was not braiding, 3 a.m. if I was. Ended at night check. I did stalls, fed, groomed horses, longed, tacked, cleaned tack, bathed, braided, hand walked, set jumps (right and fast), wiped boots, wiped bits, served as main carrot holder, got horse at the out gate and walked until cool, etc. etc. etc. Oh yeah, and at some point rode my horse too. If you have time to sit down, even to eat, you are doing it wrong – grab a broom, grab a rake, grab the tack sponge, there’s something else you could do. That’s what it takes to get rides.

And even then, I got 3’ rides, 3’6 jumper rides. Not Maclay horses. I did get to ride/school the upper-level horses every now and then as a special treat when the boss was busy, but did not expect to show them.

But – great memories and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Some of those rides on amazing GP horses are what I visualize when I train my own horses – that’s what it is supposed to feel like.

No one is going to hand you horses just because you are “willing to fight for it.” Take that energy and put it toward doing some actual work. But, as is the case far too often, I would guess you are willing to fight for it theoretically on the Internet but not when it actually involves long days of manual labor at the barn.

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=Alterrain;5859462]
Before you guys completely shoot her down- it can be done. *** IF she rides well. ***[/QUOTE]

In my subsequent post, I did say it was a possibility if she was gifted, lucky, and hardworking.

But not if her only tangible skill is going around with her hand out saying “gimmie!”

OP, if you want to achieve your goals and you don’t have money, you’re going to have to offer sweat equity. That means being a working student (as others have suggested) or revising your goals to a more realistic level given your finances and working your way up on a green/difficult horse. But all of these avenues start with a frank talk with your parents and trainer… and it’s going to take their cooperation and hard work as well.

I also think it’s a very valid point that showing with the kind of frequency to go from “getting around a course at 2’6” to big eq is expensive. Even if you try to keep costs down, just the entry fees for a bunch of non-traveling (i.e. not Florida in the winder) rated shows is going to set you back a chunk of chance. Even with you doing your own braiding/care etc. it’s not going to be cheap. And that’s something to consider. Because you’re not suggesting someone hand you a big eq horse for free and sponsor you, an unknown 2’6 rider, paying your way to all the shows, are you?

[Everythingbutwings]

Out in front of WalMart there is this inexpensive ride. No upkeep, many a Maclay winner has begun their dream there.

[BeeHoney]

My advice, quit worrying about the stupid Maclay. Worry about becoming a better rider. Get as much saddle time as you can, on any horse, as long as it is safe. Practice being cheerful and grateful for every second you get in the saddle.

No one owes you anything. No one is going to give you or loan you some fabulous show horse capable of taking you to the Maclay and foot half the bills at the same time. You are wasting time on a ridiculous fantasy.

You need to stop looking for someone to give you opportunities and start working to EARN opportunities. If you work hard, show a great attitude, and are thankful and polite with trainers and owners, you may earn chances to ride some nice horses. You probably won’t get to do the big eq, but so what.

[justdandy]

What bugs me is that OP keeps typing “I” when he/she’s talking about boarding, paying entry fees, etc. OP - unless you are working and are truly paying for everything, there’s no “I”, it will be your PARENTS who will be paying for everything.

Someone already asked where you’re parents are in this decision (and you haven’t answered). Do they know that you’re on the boards soliciting for a free horse to show? Do they know what your goals are? Have you discussed these goals with them and have they discussed them with your trainer? If not, you might want to bring your parents up to speed on everything since THEY are the ones who will be footing the bills.

I don’t think anyone was being mean to you about being realistic. Unfortunately, in the real world you NEED to be realistic.

[GoingUp_POP]

You don’t need a 3’6 horse. I know 3’6 is where is it at, and one horse should be able to do it all, right? No…

You need an experienced 3’ horse, maybe one that can go 3’3", but don’t worry about height so much. You need a horse that can get you tri colors in the little ring for another year, then move up to the big ring in the 3’ divisions. The big ring is a whole different story from the 2’ rings.

I’m sure you are indeed a good rider, but a 3’6" horse is a whole new ball game.

It is fairly easy to find a good 3’ horse to lease

[dags]

[QUOTE=Carolinadreamin’;5859484]
Don’t forget, according to her (the OP), she’s not looking for any insight, just a horse. So, I’m thinking that all of this good advice is going to waste. Perhaps she should sell her $4,000 saddle and other high end stuff, buy something used and use the cash to fund her riding.[/QUOTE]

I’m guessing the $4K saddle is used and has not actually been worth $4K for awhile, because if you’re spending $4000 on a saddle while simultaneously begging for a horse to ride then your priorities are completely bass ackwards.

For some perspective OP . . . I am a recently relocated professional that did all the BigEqs, competed through the Regular Hunters, has a long list of happy clients from my previous location and has improved many a green bean. Let’s just say horses aren’t exactly falling into my lap out here in Lex, and I have the resume you lack (and more). But I will keep on making connections because good connections (along with a fair dose of luck) are the only advantage an underdog has in this sport.

You need to practice your connection making skills first and foremost. That you are on the internet asking a country full of strangers to loan you a free horse rather than pursuing any type of local lead suggests this is not one of your strong points. The overwhelming attitude of entitlement confirms it.

[poniesinthenight]

How about backing off you lot!!!

Maybe the kid has talent, did you queens ever think of that.

[findeight]

@Properetiquette1;5859181

… i’m sick of all this politics stuff with riding.

With people willing to help out any good rider should be able to make it to the Maclays despite the lack of money they have.

Atleast i won’t be the one just sitting there looking pretty, i will be working for what i get out of the horse.

Goodness, since when is not giving somebody a free ride politics??? Do you ask your neghbor for use of their BMW for free as well, then get borderline nasty when they say no and claim politics and life’s no fair??

Frankly I’d prefer the rider that just looks pretty but loves whatever horse she has, is not terminally self centered and is nice to people, including her peer group.

I’d also prefer somebody who had at least a clue of what she is asking somebody to provide her with financially-which would seem to be an at least 70k horse for free or 1500-3k+ every month. Or realize one must prove oneself at that “lame 3’” before expecting a huge break in costs for a 3’6" Eq horse…not to mention understanding what is involved in competing for the Maclay-and it ain’t a few local shows.

That is something OP should think about because, like some others on here reading her rantings, I have always been generous with my own show horses, I have let others ride for free (not to the exent OP wants though) and have some contacts, including in MA, at some very good barns and might have helped OP as I have a few others.

Based on this? I don’t think so.

[Trixie]

Im not looking for sympathy im not looking for insight into the horse world.

No, you’re not. You’re looking to be handed a fairy tale. If you actually wanted insight, you would listen to the very good advice being given to you.

I cant stand when you sayi need to be realistic. I will try as hard as I am able to to reach my goal. Not the lame 3 foot goal all of you are throwing out there. But the 3’6 one rather. I will try till I bust my head open.

Sorry, but you have to be realistic. If you’re so willing to work for it, why don’t you get a job and like, pay for it? Or offer to work to ride?

I was a kid a lot like you – I didn’t have the money to horse show a lot as a kid and my parents were able to lease a pony for a year or two, but that was it. I rode everything I could – fancy (in the barn of a very well known trainer) to not fancy. The trainer of the not fancy went to the trainer of the fancy on my behalf.

If you want catch rides, you’ll need to have something to offer. Right now, your attitude is all about YOUR goals. Think about what you could offer to someone else and you’re more likely to get horses to ride.

So, would I? HELL no. You’re clueless, and you’re whiny. Take that gumption and get a job, and pay your way. If I were to loan my horse out to a kid, it would be a kid that actually deserved it.

[Trixie]

[QUOTE=poniesinthenight;5859530]
Maybe the kid has talent, did you queens ever think of that.[/QUOTE]

I would imagine that if that were the case, she’d probably have rides or at least a better plan than asking for handouts on the internetz.

[Renn_aissance]

[QUOTE=poniesinthenight;5859530]
Maybe the kid has talent, did you queens ever think of that.[/QUOTE]

One of the coaches I rode with had a wonderful policy which, as a student, I appreciated. She called it the “pain in the neck” policy. (Well, actually, she called it something else, but that was the gist of it…) What it meant was that she was not going to go out of her way for or give opportunities to a disrespectful or otherwise high-maintenance student, because it was not worth her time to deal with someone who couldn’t treat others appropriately, no matter how talented that person was.

If talent is what you/your friend has, it needs to be matched by a good attitude, and the appropriate place to be directing this question would be to the trainer of this talented kid.

While I am not royalty, I do appreciate being elevated to such. Most kind of you.

[Everythingbutwings]

paying the price to ride

@poniesinthenight;5859530

Maybe the kid has talent, did you queens ever think of that.

I’ve had the benefit of a talented rider who worked her butt off to get to the level she’s at and did it on minimal funds without whining.

Whining and a “gimmie” attitude = paying the price to ride.

Edited to say Renn/aissance, you said it better than me.

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=poniesinthenight;5859530]
Maybe the kid has talent, did you queens ever think of that.[/QUOTE]

This made my day. You are so right. The kid has talent! Where do I sign the check!!!

[justdandy]

[QUOTE=poniesinthenight;5859530]
Maybe the kid has talent, did you queens ever think of that.[/QUOTE]

JMO…but if this kid had that much talent (to feel he/she deserves a free big eq horse), he/she would be doing more than 2’6" after 7 years in the saddle.

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=findeight;5859534]
That is something OP should think about because, like some others on here reading her rantings, I have always been generous with my own show horses, I have let others ride for free (not to the exent OP wants though) and have some contacts, including in MA, at some very good barns and might have helped OP as I have a few others.

Based on this? I don’t think so.[/QUOTE]

I will also add that while I don’t happen to have a spare big eq horse lying around, I do have nice show horses and I am quite generous with them. Frequently! I have given them to juniors, for free, to ride/compete. But you know what the #1 and #2 criteria are I use to decide when I will gratis let someone use my horse?

1. Good attitude

2. Hardworking

Talent and even skill (and money) aren’t tops on the list. Neither is a sense of self entitlement

And that’s gonna’ be the rub for the OP, I think. People willing to hand out freebie big eq horses aren’t a dime a dozen, and the few who are in a position to do something so generous would stick their neck out for the hardworking good-attitude kid. Not the “3’0 is beneath me, howd’ya like my tad, now gimme gimme gimmie” kid.

[TarheelJD]

[QUOTE=poniesinthenight;5859530]
Maybe the kid has talent, did you queens ever think of that.[/QUOTE]

Yes. But talent is not the only factor in the equation.

You can have talent, and money, and a bad attitude, and get far in the horse world.

If you have talent, but you don’t have enough money to fund your own way, a bad attitude will kill your chances at finding creative ways to get where you want to be (in this case, the Maclays).

Based on her last post, this kid has just about as bad an attitude as you can get, so I’m sorry, but it is irrelevant to me how talented she is.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=Properetiquette1;5859351]

Im looking for a horse, for those who didnt read the rest of the post im willing to consider scenarios owners want to offer. Or to board it at my barn where me and my.trainer could work with it. Im just saying that if I do that I cant really pay a lease price. And if I pay for the lease than I cant pay for the board.[/QUOTE]

I’m still stuck on this point. She wants someone to pay full board to board their horse at her barn so she can lease it? Or she would pay 1/2 the board on a free lease? Who gets the other half of that lease?

(What does the other half of this deal get in return??)

I could see someone agreeing to this to bring along a green horse…although it would depend a LOT on the facility, trainer and the program…maybe if the OP wants to give those details someone might step up with a 2’6" - 3’0" project horse?

[poniesinthenight]

Based on her last post, this kid has just about as bad an attitude as you can get, so I’m sorry, but it is irrelevant to me how talented she is.[/QUOTE]

Then maybe some help would be constructive instead of destructive.