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Hello! I need a distraction now that winter is fast approaching and my riding time is severely limited, so let's talk eventing! Who else competes (or just trains) in eventing?
I have been riding for well over 16 years, starting out in the hunters and equitation, then moving into pony jumpers. I first began eventing 5 years ago, but it wasn't until two years ago that I truly got the "eventing bug."
I have limited competition experience due to finances and my event-less location, but I have worked with horses up to the 3* level. I also compete in 1st Level dressage and 3'6" (1.05m) jumpers.
My current mount is a 12 year old Morgan Horse. We do the pure jumpers together, and we occasionally like to dabble in dressage. We don't event together anymore for various reasons.
What is your eventing story? For those who never tried it and are curious about the sport, I'll try to answer any questions you may have! |
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I evented along time a go to 1* (2* now I believe, since they added 5*) level nationally on a 14.2hh pony, but I rode her as a horse. After we sold her and I got my next horse, who turned out to be more of a showjumper. My upcoming young horse also preferred the jumping ring too (he was far to sharp to event) and since my horses were showjumpers, I was one too. I had no real preference between the disciplines since I originally grew up Showjumping.
Now when I look back on it I'm very glad I decided to stick to Showjumping because I am far too precious of my horses to take them out eventing again. I couldn't stand them getting injured, which obviously happens more frequently on eventing, given the conditions. Where I'm from in the Emerald Isle, it tends to be either really Boggy ground or rock solid ground - depending on the season - and there's never an inbetween. The eventing days are long and tedious and I much prefer being able to stay dry whilst enjoying a day of indoor Showjumping lol. It rains nonstop here on the lovely little floating swamp of Ireland and Northern Ireland. |
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Mediterranean, thank you for sharing! Ireland is such a beautiful country regardless of its incessant rain. It's on my traveling bucket list!
It sounds as if I have found myself in the same situation you were in. My boy is so much happier as a jumper, and honestly I enjoy the reduced stress level. However, my heart is still in eventing and I plan to continue training and competing on other mounts in the future.
What part of eventing do you miss the most? For me, it's probably the rush of adrenaline when you are flying over galloping fences. |
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I evented at 2* back when I rode for barns. I never rode my own horse I was paid to compete on client horses which made life a lot easier lol. I rode mostly high strung TB and Warmbloods and did it for many years eventually we moved out of California (where I trained) and I began to ride and train in everything. English and Western. I had a few OTTBs I brought up to Training and Prelim then started with ponies (thank goodness for short legs lol) and played with training and selling them for a while.
I've settled surprisingly mostly into the hunter ring now. I am currently training a Gypsy Cross mare for personal riding now. I loved eventing and I'm sure I'll go back after I finish school but i found it hard to continue loving it because everyone seemed so "hardcore" and didn't seem to have any fun. |
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Empire Sport Horses said:
Mediterranean, thank you for sharing! Ireland is such a beautiful country regardless of its incessant rain. It's on my traveling bucket list!
It sounds as if I have found myself in the same situation you were in. My boy is so much happier as a jumper, and honestly I enjoy the reduced stress level. However, my heart is still in eventing and I plan to continue training and competing on other mounts in the future.
What part of eventing do you miss the most? For me, it's probably the rush of adrenaline when you are flying over galloping fences.
The thrill of jumping big scary fences lol. I don't miss the amount of worry and fretting I did over my horse though. I still kinda do the big scary jump part, just not in the same way :) |
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