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Dressage is Supposed to be Fun, isn't it?

© Carol Woodworth

Have you ever watched most runners run? Their faces seem to reflect grim determination rather than an enjoyment of what they are doing. A lot of dressage riders have similar facial expressions. Stand by the warm-up ring on a showground and see the frowns and creased foreheads. Watch a lesson and you could hear curses muttered under the rider’s (and instructor’s) breath. Dressage is supposed to be fun, isn’t it?

Do we spend uncounted hours and untold dollars on something that we don’t enjoy? I am not suggesting that we should constantly ride around with foolish grins on our faces, laughing hysterically at our horses’ every misbehavior. But we should be generally enjoying something in which we invest so much, both financially and personally.

If we aren’t enjoying ourselves, generally there are several primary causes. FIRST- THE HORSE. Some people buy the wrong horse, plain and simple. Hopefully, it seemed like the right horse when you bought it but it just isn’t what you need ( and you probably aren’t what it needs, either). If you and the horse have given it a fair trial and it just isn’t working, don’t keep punishing both of you. Life is too short. There is a perfect place for this horse and you are keeping it from there. And your perfect horse is waiting for you.

You may have had the right horse but you have outgrown it; it isn’t able to do what you are. You can find someone who would love to have that horse to do the things that you now find ho-hum. Or you may be able to donate the horse to an equestrian program at a college or private school where they need a horse with that level of experience. It may take a bit of work but you can find a good home for the horse.

SECOND – YOUR SIO (Significant Instructional Other). Choosing an instructor is kind of like choosing a best friend. You want someone supportive , who will be honest with you (but not too honest!). You want someone with your interests in mind, who will support you in what you want to do rather than trying to make you conform to their ideas. You don’t want to show – they want you to. Goodbye.

You want to be treated humanely. After all, you are spending $_____ for this. You shouldn’t be browbeaten and insulted.

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