Chive On By Riding On.

Hi, my names Gabby! I own a 13 year old quarter horse gelding named I Like Winning who is also known as Bo. I am a college freshman that enjoys the outdoors, horses, & painting! Any questions, just ask, thanks! QH631~

[all-the-horses]

Sir Maverick

Simon of Sunshine X Sally

Tinker, Stallion

15.2hh

Born 2002

[all-the-horses]

Cape Blanco

Galileo x Laurel Delight

Thoroughbred, Stallion

Born 2007

[soundtrack-for-lovers]

[chaosacres]

Here is one thing that I tell my students about competitions, which I think is absolutely crucial:

Your horse always gives you the best he has.  Sometimes his best isn’t as good as other times, due to factors such as stress, fatigue, discomfort, fear, confusion - but know this:  your horse is never willfully withholding something from you.

Similarly, you are always riding your best.  Sometimes your best is not as good as other times, due to factors such as performance anxiety, nerves, excitement, frustration, fatigue, physical discomfort, distraction.  Some of these things you may be able to get control over if you realize they are happening.  Some of them you may not be able to fix in a few minutes, or even a few sessions.

So if you go to a show and you screw up because you were nervous and that made you stiff and restricted your horse’s movement and he didn’t score as high as you thought he could based on how he performs at home, take that as feedback for something to work on.  Do not get discouraged and say, “I didn’t ride as well as I could.”  Yes, you did.  Your anxiety is a legitimate factor that inhibits your performance.  You rode as well as you could given your anxiety.  Do not beat yourself up - berating or shaming yourself is not a positive or constructive use of your time and energies.  Instead, think of ways to improve your experience next time.

Similarly, if you go to a competition and your horse is stiff or tired from the journey, or tense and distracted in a new environment, do NOT get discouraged and say, “my horse wasn’t as good as he could be.”  Yes, he was.  He was the very best he could be given his nerves, or given his fatigue.  He could not have been better on this day, with these factors influencing him.  Accept that, praise him, and find a way to help him overcome these factors next time.  Maybe he needs better fitness at home so that the journey doesn’t tire him so much.  Maybe he needs a better warm-up next time.  Maybe he needs more experience traveling and being exposed to different things.  Whatever it is, don’t hold it against him, and don’t hold it against yourself.  You both did your best.  Training yourself and your horse for competitions is a process.  I find that this simple shift in attitude makes competing and training so much more fun and fulfilling.

[spanish-trot]

Can I just say you sound like an amazing instructor

[everything-about-horses]

[horsesornothing]

Ollie is a great subject to shoot cause he stares at e v e r y t h i n g | ©

[theruby-redmare]

Upperville, 6/9/16

[all-the-horses]

Tizbud

Cee’s Tizzy x Cee’s Song

Thoroughbred, Stallion

16.2hh

Born 1999

[all-the-horses]

Tiznow

Cee’s Tizzy x Cee’s Song

Thoroughbred, Stallion

Born 1997

[all-the-horses]

The Pamplemousse

Kafwain x Comfort Zone

Thoroughbred, Stallion

16.2hh

Born 2006

[all-the-horses]

Not Bourbon

Not Impossible x Bourbon Belle

Thoroughbred, Stallion

16.1hh

Born 2005

[all-the-horses]

Simmard

Dixieland Band x Dibs

Thoroughbred, Stallion

Born 2005

[all-the-horses]

Swraj

Marwari, Stallion

[tolackcolour]

Zim has quite the view from up here.

[kimblewick]

Photo by Michaela Božiková via Königs Reitstiefel.

[dressageworkingstudent]

Hnnnnnnnnnnnng

[natshorses]

Yueeeaaahhhh I’m gonna need that saddle pad sorry

[blondieinbreeches]

Photos like this make me wanna do equestrian hold ups, like pull out a water pistol and take everything they’re wearing…. And their horse.

[eq-uitation]

HOLD UP are those gold stirrups?!

[phoenixir]

© Malin Wengdahl

[overheard-at-a-horse-show]

Overheard at Equine Affaire

Teenage girl: *waiting in line for restroom* This is like the only place I could stand around in a women’s bathroom holding a whip and have everyone just ignore me.