Competition: Why we compete

Competition: Why We Compete

By Maribeth Dunlap

May 2011

I recently attended a local schooling show in which a few of my students were riding. I went there to offer them support and guidance, if needed. The differences in how these riders addressed the pressures of showing was interesting to observe.

Rider A: This rider was just so excited to be there. She was dressed in appropriate show attire and her gray/white horse sparkled with cleanliness. Her expression was always one of relaxation and concentration. She maintained a positive outlook and was always quick to have a smile. She smiled and thanked the judge each time and she praised her horse often and gave him the credit for their success. At the end of the day, she sought me out and with a handful of ribbons and tests, she hugged me and thanked me. She left the show grounds satisfied, happy and content.

Rider B: This particular rider didn't seek my help but I watched her from a distance. She competed in a couple hunter over-fence classes and a couple dressage tests. She also was dressed in appropriate hunter rider attire and her horse was clean. She was focused and concentrated. She is a quiet girl and maintained a quiet demeanor during the show. She rode well and had a successful show. I assume she left the show feeling satisfied with her efforts.

Rider C: This rider was tense and anxious days before the show. She worked hard and was prepared for the show but has always had issues with show nerves. This rider was dressed neatly in schooling attire and her horse was clean. During most of the day, she was anxious and lacked focus. She had a wide-eyed look about her and seemed preoccupied with the activity around her. She reverted back to some old habits and did not ride to the best of her abilities. She wanted to scratch and go home several times, but she hung in there and persevered with my quiet urgings to just continue to try to focus and ride her horse well. By the end of the day, she started to quiet her mind and began to be able to focus on riding her horse. Although she persevered and her riding improved by the end of the day, she left the show discouraged and unhappy.

Rider D: This rider never got to show her horse. Her horse, unfortunately, bumped his head, leaving a bloody gash, as he came off the trailer. He was fine but she wanted to give him the best show experience she could give him and made the wise decision not to show him. After tending to his injury and hand-walking him to calm him, she saddled him up and schooled him lightly in the schooling area. Although she didn't get to show her horse, she was happy with his efforts and how well he did at the show grounds, especially given the fact that they started out rather rocky with the trailer incident. She left satisfied, content and hopeful that he might do well at the next competition.

Rider E: This rider is a very confident individual. She is quiet in her demeanor but is very sure of herself and at times, slightly willful. She works very hard, is a very serious, focused and determined rider. This rider was dressed neatly in schooling attire and her horse was clean. She rode a couple dressage tests and had also scheduled to ride in a jumper class which provided a schooling round beforehand. After her schooling round, she scratched the jumper class after my suggestion to do so. She wisely recognized that her horse was not performing well over-fences that day and chose to make sure that the show experience was a good one for both her and her horse. She warmed up for her dressage tests with her usual expression of concentration and focus. She rode beautifully and had a successful show. She left feeling satisfied and with the feeling of having fun.

The above is an illustration of five different riders with five different experiences. Each one had their own reasons for coming to the schooling show. Each rider dealt with the pressures of showing in their own unique style and each rider made decisions of how they were going to perceive the results. So why did they compete? Only they can truly answer that question. I think if one decides to compete, it is helpful to first answer some questions:

1. Why am I choosing to compete?

2. What are my goals?

3. What are my expectations of myself?

4. What are my expectations of my horse?

5. What do I wish to gain from competition?

6. What are my motives?

7. How does competition make me feel?

If you're a true student of classical horsemanship and you value and follow its principles, then first and foremost, consideration must be taken to adhere to the classical principles and maintain the best interest of the horse in all circumstances. One must never compromise their principles or the welfare of the horse for a ribbon or a prize. But how you answer these questions can help you to grow and learn more about yourself. And often the answers to these questions will change and evolve as you grow and become more educated in the classical training of the horse.

There are many reasons why people choose to compete. It is and should be an individual and personal decision. Many compete for fun and for the social experience. They enjoy the camaraderie and friendships that they make. Some compete because they enjoy the challenge that competition provides them. It is one thing to ride the movements and exercises at home in your own arena. You have plenty of time to prepare, set-up, and 'feel' when it is just right to ask the horse for a particular movement. But in the competition arena, one doesn't have that luxury. The movements must be done at the letter or the score will reflect the inaccuracy. Some riders compete because, sadly and in many cases, many credit winning prizes and medals as a sign of accomplishment. Professionals wanting to make a career out of the training of horses and riders must have a proven track record and one that includes winning top prizes and honors in competition. It is not good enough for many riders to work with someone who doesn't have this type of success although this same trainer may have trained many horses to a high degree. Some enjoy showing their horses to the best of their abilities. They enjoy having their training 'tested' and receiving feedback from another (hopefully) reliable source. Then there are those who show because they like the spotlight and they enjoy winning. Some will make decisions that are not in the best interest of the horse. They will alter their training, make quick fixes, and cover up flaws in order to get a ribbon. These riders have the worst kind of motives. When they win, they take the credit. When they lose, they blame the horse.

Whether you choose to compete or not, it is important to ask yourself pertinent questions. Your answers will help to define the purpose and will offer insight as to the person you really are. It is yet another opportunity to learn about ourselves and to grow as human beings. Once again, the horse can teach us so much, if we let them.

~Maribeth

Photo: Maribeth riding Milano

This article was written by Maribeth in May 2011 – All Rights Reserved - Used With Permission.