Would anyone?

[overthemoon]

I just have to say - I find it remarkable that Properetiquette (ironic name, ha) and GingerJumper are the same age. Their posts are of incredibly different calibre, and even if GJ is an usually gifted English student or mature for her age, PE, you could take a tip or two from that. Especially since you’re essentially posting here looking for opportunities, presentation is key. That’s both attitude and taking the extra 2 minutes to type out full words, and use proper punctuation, capitilization, and paragraphing.

Now, on to my “reality check” story…

I’m 23. When I was your age, I also had dreams of competing in the eqs. My goal was more CET than Maclay (I’m Canadian), but essentially the same idea. Problem was, while my parents were great about paying for my lessons, they couldn’t afford to buy me a horse or lease one suitable.

At no point did I whine or complain or ask that someone give me horse because I was the poor broke girl who had potential and talent but no means to get herself to the top. I worked my butt off for opportunities.

Opportunities - purposefully vague. When I left my PC-type, draft/TB schoolie lesson barn and started being a “working student” for a local BNT/breeder, I didn’t go in there saying. “I’ll do xyz to ride in the CET.” I went in there saying, “I’ll do xyz to ride, at all. To be coached by a superior trainer. To observe the kind of training and riding I want to attain. To be near the kind horseflesh I would like to someday own.”

For years I worked for him. I watched, listened, learned, and rode. I shovelled shit. I set jumps. I tacked up, I cooled out. I rarely showed, because I would typically ride babies and when they were show-ready, more often than not they either sold or were passed off to someone who happened to have parents who were better able to pave their way financially. I saw riders equally - and even less - talented than myself go much, much further in the show ring than I was ever able to because they had the means financially.

So what did I get out of it? Invaluable lessons, to start. And my mare.

After all was said and done, my (still current) coach offered me a yearling that he bred at literally half the price he’d ask anyone else. AND the option to pay for her over time, at my own rate.

She’s three now, and I couldn’t ask for a better mount. He allowed me to own the kind of horse I wouldn’t be able to afford for years, and I’m forever thankful for that.

So, OP… when everyone is telling you to be realistic, they aren’t trying to be mean. They’re speaking from experience. You will find many more opportunities by saying, “I will do xyz to ride” than by saying, “I will do xyz to get a free ride on a horse who can do the Maclay”.

[findeight]

xtranormal already came up 2 or 3 pages ago.

[Equilibrium]

[QUOTE=dags;5859999]
Eh, I went to Maclay Regionals. Guess what? No one cares. :D[/QUOTE]

Great post!

OP please listen to some of these been there and done that people. Some have given amazing advice. It may not be what you want to hear but that’s life. A life with horses does not mean Big Eq or nothing. There is so much more. When I was your age I was aquaintances with Karen Mckelvey. She even came to the place I rode and gave a little clinic to us starstruck kids because I asked. She had just finished her JR. Career. She said she needed a break from it all. I remember her riding a couple of schoolies just on her own just to have fun. She was kind to those horses and said this is what it’s all about. I wasn’t mature enough to understand any of what she was saying really. She was my idol and I just wanted to keep watching her show. But how incredibly nice she was to give her time for free for starstruck students who all wanted to be her. And she had a smile on her face relaxing and riding the horses you think aren’t good enough. That was class. She had an appreciation for those horses too. I wish I would have listened more when we all talked about wanting to be like her.

I could bore the crap out of you with special horse stories. Horses that taught me life lessons. Horses still teaching me life lessons. That’s what it’s about it. If you get there, well done. But if you don’t, there are many paths you can take. Just be happy. One day it will make sense even if it doesn’t now.

Terri

[BLBGP]

You want to find someone to support your cause by either giving you a free lease (actually a free-free lease since a free lease means no lease fee but you still cover all expenses). Or, better yet, become a catch-rider at local shows.

1. Attitude. Be nice to everybody. Online and offline. You never know who’s listening. Don’t whine. Communicate your plans clearly and without attitude.
2. Be Willing. Hop on every horse that comes your way and be happy about it. Don’t disparage the older schooling horse doing his job. Don’t talk down about the 3’ horse. Be joyful for the opportunity.
3. Don’t talk down about your fellow riders. Understand that looking like you’re not doing anything in the tack is the ultimate goal, so stop complaining other riders just sit there, etc.
4. Make every horse better. This requires talent, training, empathy, a ton of hours learning and watching, etc.
5. Stop calling it slave labor. Mucking stalls and riding greenies does not a slave make, and owners won’t appreciate hearing you think you’re their slave when they’re giving you a chance.

[Jack16]

OP, I think what everyone here is trying to tell you that you don’t seem to be getting is that you need to be realistic. We all get it that you would do ANYTHING for rides but we get it because we were all like that as kids and teenagers too and there were 30 more just like us in the barn. I know that the Big eq. is something that you think would be really awesome to do and I realize that at 15 it’s super hard to look past that but the coolest thing about having horses in your life is that you can essentially be involved and riding until you are no longer able to mount. What I tell all of the kids and teens at my barn is to work really hard in school, have ambition outside of horses and keep your options open. One thing to keep in mind is that you may not be talented enough ever to have someone pay you for lessons or let you ride their horses. Even in this endeavor you may get to the 3 foot and suck. There is a big difference between a 2’6 local jump and a 3’ rated jump. I am not trying to discourage you but I swear there is life outside of riding and the worst thing you can do is put all of your eggs in one basket. Make sure you make really good grades and get into a really good school. I think you are smart about getting a business degree if you think you want to have a horse business (I wish more of them would!). If showing is what you are really passionate about over just being around horses there is nothing wrong with that. There are plenty of people out there flipping horses to get where they want to be. If showing though is truly what you want to do it is still going to take a ton of money to do it. I learned that when I was young. I went to college and grad school and got a masters in business. I am 29 now and can afford a fancy horse that I hope one day will be my 3’6 horse. I have the professional and riding experience and money for that matter that at this point if I wanted a horse business I could absolutely run one. I however am one of those people that loves my horses to death and are often times my favorite “people” to be around but I rather enjoy the fact that if I want to go on vacation or run off to shop on a Saturday or just stay in bed when it’s raining and cold, I can because she is taken care of at my barn by the greatest most giving barn owner/trainer in the world. I enjoy not having to go to a horse show if I don’t feel like it. Those are things you don’t get to opt out of if you are in the business. Keep your options open. Even if those things do sound fantastic to you, the burn out rate is really really high for trainers. It doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream, it just means that as you grow up you will realize that making more manageable goals for yourself will be much more rewarding than getting to participate in medal classes for a year out of your life. Heck, I still make small goals for myself and build on them. Where I was 5 years ago and where I am now, is vastly different and better and it’s because I was realistic about my life. Good luck and just have as much fun as you can with whatever you are able to ride.

[FineAlready]

OP - you’ve gotten a lot of good advice here. I agree with those who say that you really need to modify your goals. Or at least take them in bite-sized chunks. It’s great to have a “wouldn’t it be so cool if…” kind of goal (Maclay Finals, for example), but then you need a lot of smaller, more immediate goals to get there. And, most importantly, you have to know that you may never reach your final goal - but that the journey is a reward in and of itself.

And here is the thing about opportunities in the horse world. They present themselves most readily to those who really, truly have a great attitude with no hint of entitlement whatsoever. Seriously. I rode a TON of extremely nice horses for free when I was your age (about 15 years ago). I did not get to show most of them, and in fact didn’t get to even jump most of them…but I did not care about that at all. And, probably because I had a good attitude, I did get to show some of them…some for free, some for less than full cost. Were they 3’6" horses? Nope. One was a really nice 3’ horse, a bunch were green sale ponies, a few were horses that I rode in the hack for people who owned multiple horses in one division, etc. All GREAT opportunities that I would never have been offered if I had exuded the attitude of “I don’t want to pursue some stupid 3’ goal…I mean, I’ll do it if I HAVE to, but really, I’M on my way to the 3’6”."

Was I the kid who was willing to help out at the barn? Absolutely. There is nothing especially unusual about that. Talking about it as though it is something that sets you apart and entitles you to free horses is very offputting and kind of undoes any goodwill you may otherwise get from being helpful.

Did I ever turn a ride down? Absolutely not - not unless I was out of town or otherwise absolutely did not have time. And (this part is VERY important), I treated every single riding opportunity with the same appreciation. I NEVER devalued anyone’s horse, and I always, always said “thank you” to the owner for the riding opportunity. Even if their horse hadn’t been out in days and was a fire-breathing dragon that treated me to a 45 minute rodeo that day.

Here is a scenario that I think got me a lot of rides in the long run: If I had time to ride three horses in one day, already had three on my schedule, and someone offered me a fourth ride on a SUPER nice horse that day (nicer than anything else on my schedule that day) - I turned the fourth horse down. Every time. (Or made time for it in addition to the first three). But I NEVER, ever went back to one of the first three owners (or my trainer, as the case may be) and said, “I was just offered an opportunity to ride Fancy Horse, so now I can’t hack 2’6” packer today."

It’s a matter of integrity, a good attitude, and a genuine love of horses - not as a means to an end, but as an end in and of themselves. It’s not something you can fake, and my guess would be that people can tell that you are in this for yourself - not for the horses. You’d be surprised at the opportunities that exist for someone who is in this for the horses. For someone who is in this for themselves? No so much.

And, no, I didn’t ever realize any kind of BigEq dreams. I showed my 3’ horse in the juniors a few times, and in my age group equitation, which was 3’6". It was kind of scary given that he was extremely maxed out at that height. But I learned a lot from all of the horses I rode as a teenager, and all of that was worth a lot more in the end. What I learned from all of those rides, and, perhaps more importantly, from caring for all of those horses that I rode, has really served me well over the years.

[goodlife]

I think this may have already been mentioned, but why not aim for the Talent Search Medal? That gives you five years to bring a green horse up and ready for that level. Why are you so dead-set on the Maclay?

Let me share with you my story. I wasn’t quite in the same situation as you, but parts are similar and in the end, I had to revise my goals but it worked out beautifully for me.

After I came off my pony (age 13-14) my parents got a good deal on a horse that had 1.30m scope but was pretty enough to do the equitations. We didn’t have much money to spend on a horse at that time because my pony had a career-ending injury which made him unsaleable. The new horse was super cheap because he didn’t vet, but the issue was not supposed to have any effect on his overall soundness.

Unfortunately, after about a year of doing the junior hunters, his soundness plummeted drastically. My parents and I were now left with two horses that we couldn’t sell and no money to buy a new one. I was now 15 years old and horseless. I could see my Maclay/Medal/WIHS dreams fleeting quickly.

Long story short, I ended up getting a very VERY nice three year old for next to nothing. She was beautiful, scopey, brave…but three. I had two bigeq years left and was by no means at the competitive bigeq level. I had just moved up to the 3’6 hunters on my old horse that was a bit of a been-there-done-that type and now I had a horse that knew next to nothing.

Fast forward to today - I have now had that horse for 6 years and just had my 21st birthday. I never attended any of the 18 and under big eq finals. What I did do though was spend 6 solid years making my horse into the horse of my dreams. We just recently qualified for the CET Medal Finals in Toronto, Ontario (I’m Canadian - it’s the same thing as your Talent Search, essentially) and am so happy about it. I didn’t get any made horses, any “move up” horses or any free rides, but I adjusted my goals, worked with what I had, and look! I still get to go to a medal final!

It may be frustrating and you may feel like you’re running out of time, but you can’t cut corners and expect opportunities to fall into your lap that easily. Try and make more short-term goals for yourself and who knows…maybe you’ll find yourself at USET Finals East in 2015!

[rw3967]

This may not fit into the timeline you have planned for yourself, but since you have a few years left as a junior, if I were in your position I’d take a year off from showing. Take the money you’d spend on showing (which is a lot) and spend it on learning. Take lessons, go to clinics, make yourself the best rider you can be. Yes, you need show miles, but showing is a rather expensive way to make yourself a better rider. Spend some money at home first, then when you spend money at shows it’ll probably go a lot further.

You can definitely get free rides, but like others have noted here, you have to work for it and have the right attitude. I speak from experience, as does everyone else here.

When I was younger, I rode with a girl who pretty consistently won everything. She’s now a fairly successful Grand Prix rider. She was super wealthy - she always had expensive ponies, then expensive horses, she went to all the big shows and trained with a BNT. Her money gave her access, but it didn’t get her the ribbons. The ribbons, and the acclaim came from being a barn rat like the rest of us. She would muck stalls, clean tack, set jumps – not for anything in return, but to be around people with more knowledge. She didn’t just show up to her lessons – she showed up to everyone’s lessons. She’d just sit and watch. And you know what? When people went on vacation or had no time to ride? Who do you think they asked? The girl who’d been sitting and watching all the lessons, who expected nothing in return, and was a better rider than almost anyone in the barn. It’s so much more about attitude than anything else.

[SGray]

I predict some jointed stirrups hidden in the closet in OPs future

[findeight]

I dunno, given this some thought today…and have to say I have a problem even now with attitude.

I know she is only 15, I understand the rant. But that whole dissing of the “lame as* 3’” suggestions reveals more then the semi apology/back off/that’s not what I said follow up. Because it is what she said. More then once.

It is kind of hard to ignore that as defining an underlying attitude from somebody who has only done 2’6" on somebody else’s school horse. So is stating she would even do things for the regular “stable hands”.

She does not get it. Does not understand how the working student process works. At all.

[fordtraktor]

Yep, I agree, f8. I think we are just hoping she might pick up on some of that a little with kindish responses. pipe dream, probably, but there it is. can’t see this one really getting her hands dirty.

“stable hands” pretty much sums it up. Those are terms the Real Housewives would use, not someone who actually works in a barn.

[Beam_Me_Up]

From a fellow former junior dreamer (whose junior dream did not come true):

I agree that the OP may not completely “get it,” (the Big Eq game), but I don’t think that’s grounds to disparage her character. Not understanding is not the same thing as entitled or greedy. Until you are part of it, it’s hard to imagine the amount of money involved in purchasing/maintaining the horses or training/showing, or just how competitive those classes are. If you’re reading George Morris and Practical horseman profiles of catch-riding winners, I don’t think the enormity of it all is clear. There are always just enough “rags to riches” tales to keep those dreams alive.

A few thoughts on the specific situation, and perspectives I wish I’d had as a junior:

• Having a single show as your goal sets you up for failure (mine was Young Riders, but Maclay too). No matter how well you ride or prepare, you are just a abscess/missed change away from losing that dream.

• Riding skills are forever–the better you ride, the more opportunities will come your way, so don’t sacrifice self-development for showing in the short term. Especially if your ultimate goal is to be a professional.

• Never count on reselling a horse for profit. Injuries happen, training issues happen (especially if you are green too). If you’re on the edge of being able to afford a horse, it may not make sense to put all your money into a single green one hoping it will end up suitable or saleable–focusing on getting more riding/showing opportunities on different horses reduces your risk some.

• Carefully consider who you train with.

• Jumpers are really fun.

• Aging out is scary, but also a relief. All the time pressure vanishes, and you suddenly have the real possibility of bringing something green along to be competitive at a high level, in a way that isn’t always realistic during your junior years.

• There are a lot of ways to ride in life. The riding life I thought I wanted for myself at 15 is very different from the one I chose for msyelf in my 20s. Flexibility is good.

In your shoes I would get out and try to ride as much as you can, ideally your trainer can help you. Your goals may change as you learn more, or not, but the best thing you can do is jump in and see how it goes. Good luck!

[ParadoxFarm]

I do agree with comments about the “lame 3”. You know, every time I go up 3", I am proud. It’s an achievement. How can one improve 6" (to me I call that two levels) and think it’s LAME? Be proud of each 3" you conquer. About 3 months ago 3’ was an achievement for me. (Re-rider/jumper). And the other day I schooled 3’6". I was eccstatic. To a GP rider, sure, that may be pre-school, but remember, we all start somewhere. No achievement in your riding “career” is lame. Ever.

[alibi_18]

I’d like to go to the WEG in 2014.

No one has a horse for me? Mine is stuck at lame 4’ at home for now…only showing at even worst height, 3’ divisions…(at least, all expenses are paid for! Yes, you heard it.)

Actually, I’ll be going to WEG anyway…as my recent journalistic change of career will give me this opportunity…and that I’m also friend with people from the WEG organisation team…

And all this because I’m NICE and a hard worker. (I think!..)

[findeight]

@fordtraktor;5860232

Yep, I agree, f8. I think we are just hoping she might pick up on some of that a little with kindish responses. pipe dream, probably, but there it is. can’t see this one really getting her hands dirty.

“stable hands” pretty much sums it up.

Yeah…sometimes I would like to see, just once, somebody like this suddenly thrown up top of a real, live Biq EQ horse thinking 2’6" skills would suffice even on the flat…that would be worth watching. But I’m not that mean.

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=findeight;5860243]
Yeah…sometimes I would like to see, just once, somebody like this suddenly thrown up top of a real, live Biq EQ horse thinking 2’6" skills would suffice even on the flat…that would be worth watching. But I’m not that mean.[/QUOTE]

Yep, like taking me out of my Subaru and into my FIL’s sportscar. Not pretty! :lol:

[Jsalem]

I was thinking about this the other day.

Here is what trainers LOVE to hear:

“Hi, I’m calling to inquire about your program. We’re relocating to your town. We love our current trainer and she referred us to you. We own a suitable horse. We show once or twice per month. We want training/services/showing. What are your rates? Great, when can we come for a visit?”

Here is what makes us beat our head on the desk:

“Hi, I’m calling to inquire about your program. My daughter has been riding for 6 years and we’ve outgrown our current program. She wants to move up. My daughter is VERY PASSIONATE about her riding. (Oh, and she is also a cheerleader and does lacrosse). Our horse? Oh, we don’t own one. She wants to show 3’ (Or wants to ride in College. Or wants to “do the Medals”). We’re looking to do a 1/2 Lease on a horse that can “take her all the way.” Oh, and we’re on a tight budget, so she needs to work off her lessons riding extra horses for you on the weekends (that she’s not cheering). I heard you have a great program. What can you offer us?”

OP, you have no idea how often we hear this same story. Honestly, if someone is going to make sacrifices to help you in your riding career, it’s going to be your parents. Not the fairy godtrainer.

[alibi_18]

[QUOTE=Jsalem;5860261]
Honestly, if someone is going to make sacrifices to help you in your riding career, it’s going to be your parents. Not the fairy godtrainer.[/QUOTE]

:yes::lol::yes:

[GypsyQ]

[QUOTE=SGray;5860198]
I predict some jointed stirrups hidden in the closet in OPs future[/QUOTE]

:lol::lol::D:lol:
That tickled my funny bone:winkgrin:

[Equilibrium]

[QUOTE=findeight;5860243]
Yeah…sometimes I would like to see, just once, somebody like this suddenly thrown up top of a real, live Biq EQ horse thinking 2’6" skills would suffice even on the flat…that would be worth watching. But I’m not that mean.[/QUOTE]

THIS!

You wanna know something, what I did galloping horses, it’s easy. Easy, easy, easy. Ok a bit of a learning curve but I absolutely couldn’t walk into a ring on a good horse and lay down a mediocre trip. And besides I wouldn’t do that to the horse. But I guess that’s age. My 5yo jumper is now 1.10m. I think that’s 3.6 ish. I don’t jump her and I wouldn’t do that to her. My hopes are for her to be a decent 1.30 horse so she can hopefully be a decent broodmare.

Like I said age and I’m not going to mess her up. Getting back into this just doing the proper flat is hard enough. And at age 42 I’m my mare’s groom at the show and did extra work to get training deductions. I’m still a barn rat I guess. Hey it all helps.

Terri