I prepaid again for tests and hoped to have Lauren ride Roscoe at another show. I wanted it not because I cannot ride him, but because she is sharper and cleaner and can maybe work on some of the stuff he pulls at shows. I expected a simple yes or no she could ride and a reasonable number of rides beforehand. Well, she pulled the "you should be doing lessons rather than showing" card. Yes I would love more lessons, but even at $45 that is hard to do more than once a month. These shows run me $40 if I ride two tests.
Then she said that "you should show a level below you train." Agree, if you are doing rated shows. These are schooling shows, emphasis on SCHOOLING. Roscoe's scores have been solid and I have been happy with his progress. She definitely made me feel like we are not improving.
She said that for her to ride, she would have to have 10 rides the two weeks before the show. Ugh... I don't even ride that much before a show.
Finally she said that without those rides she would not ride any better than I would. Seriously I literally told her not to compare me with her other clients. I am the only one who can say how well the ride did or did not go. I am at an age now that can appreciate the small wins. I told her if her reputation could not handle not winning at a small schooling show, then I would put Roscoe's training aside for her.
So sadly I won't be able to have her show Roscoe. I have lost a little faith in her training me too. I really need someone who can work on long term growth. Sprieser has another trainer I may try to get more rides with. Lauren may be relegated to training rides.
 |
| The only one riding right now |
To top off dealing with that situation, the rain and humidity have killed riding and shows. My prepaid tests are too many to be used for the last two shows. It will be a marathon couple of shows. When the July show was canceled, the organizer offered to roll over the fees to a working equitation play day or a dressage clinic. I asked to do that and she worked it so I would use four prepaid dressage tests and only have to pay $5. I am looking forward to going.
Then later this month Ember is going to the jump chute clinic Roscoe went to earlier this year. Time for the baby to see what he thinks of jumping. The clinician will actually have to work with him. Now I need to watch that braiding a long mane into single braids again. Mom does not want him looking scruffy.
Oh and Draco goes to his inspection this month. He is at that funny shedding phase, but man he looks good. His sister won big at a Welsh show in Canada.
It definitely sounds like she doesn’t want to ride him. I know that people can be highly critical of trainers if they don’t win but it seems to me that we should ignore the pettiness.
ReplyDeleteShe is very young so I think she is really affected by that aspect.
DeleteDraco is such a cutie!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm shocked at your trainer's attitude! Although I'm not really sure why I am.... my trainer is very show focused and I don't want to show, so that's why I haven't taken lessons because we can't see eye to eye (and the truck is broken, but still lol).
I hope things turn around soon. I'm been trying to keep from falling into the summer depression too, so I feel for you.
Draco is the highlight this summer!
DeleteUgh. That sounds frustrating and silly (on her part).
ReplyDeleteYeah, I cried. I need Jessica to be on this coast.
DeleteHonestly, my trainer would have a similar response, simply because she would rather teach you than catch ride or train your horse. She will hop on in a lesson if you really need it, and will do training rides if you're taking lessons too, but beyond that she mostly only shows her own horses. She's busy enough to be choosy like that, though! Not saying I agree with how yours approached it/reasoned for it with you, though! Fingers crossed she was trying to encourage/motivate you to lesson and show him yourself and it came out wrong? I hope you find the perfect trainer and get out and have some fun this summer :)
ReplyDeleteShe will ride all or part of the time when she comes for a lesson. I feel like she is more of a rider and does not know how to train someone she only sees once a month. Plus she does not get that I am okay taking the turtle track. Success is subjective.
DeleteAs a professional, I would have a similar response from the trainer perspective. It's not anything against what you're trying to accomplish, or your view point, it's about the success of the horse in the arena.
ReplyDeleteAs a stallion owner and rider, I do have the perspective of, every show is a potential advertisement for breeding. I'd rather show below a level, get the scores and the confidence within the arena than go out, spend money, get an average score and leave an impression with the public that this horse does not belong at this level yet.
Yes she brought up the stallion perspective too and I can agree. But Roscoe has placed in the upper ribbons at each show, so he is not out of his area. Plus we are only doing Training Level. We agreed with her not to pursue rated shows this year, but I do need goals. I just need her to be able to adapt. 10 rides of her level before a schooling show would burn Roscoe out. I want him happy to work and show. If I did not believe in her I would never let her ride him.
DeleteIt isn’t about ribbons. It’s about the scores. What were the scores? If it was mid-60s I wouldn’t be thrilled. Welsh shows don’t count either as it’s a limited class with zero emphasis on sport.
DeleteIf you feel that he cannot handle the pressure of 10 training rides then the time should be spent with lessons and creating a better athlete because there is more past training level and it does involve more pressure than what most people realize at first. I didn’t realize this until I went beyond the lower levels.
If it were me, and knowing the money was spent, I’d sub another horse in who needs some miles at a show. I’d find a way to commit to regular lessons and make the goal of moving up a level by end of next year.
But that’s just me.
At his level the ribbons and the scores don't count. But I can use ribbon pictures in stallion ads. Schooling show judges can either be really tough (probably more true) or easier to build confidence. I have learned that I know Roscoe and I decide the level of sucess. He has scored in the upper 60's and lower 70's this year. Welsh shows tend to be hunter driven and don't factor into his training.
DeleteI have already talked with Mom about working a way for us to get two lessons a month even if one is a semi. I only have three riding horses right now, so substituting is not always an option. Roscoe was going to sit out the July show.
I am not a naive rider, just a broke one. These shows are so low key and small, I consider it training. Plus I need the miles as much as Roscoe does. All the lessons in the world will not help me with show nerves. Riding in shows does that. I need that calm before facing First Level since that is higher than I have gone before.
I want Roscoe mentally and physically sound for the long term. That means cross training, trail rides, bareback rides and ground work. He is smart, he does not need the work beat into him. Yes he needs more rides to maintain fitness. Please tell mother nature to cooperate. I had hoped to move up by the end of this year, but we have time.
Ugh yes I can definitely relate to this. I had recently asked a professional rider to ride Dante in the 4yo performance classes and he said no because the horse wasn't in full training (being jumped 3x a week). At 4yo and absolutely giant I think jumping 3x a week and being ridden 5x a week is absolutely too much wear and tear and not worth it. So I walk with my dollars elsewhere. If I have to ride the horse I am happy to.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I totally agree that is too much.
Delete