Trail Riding or Competing?
Do People Feel More Accomplished Trail Riding or Competing?
Last week I asked horse people what they would MOST like to achieve with their horse. I gave them a selection of options and asked them to select the option that would make them feel the most accomplished.
The top result for the activity that people would most like to achieve, that made people feel the most accomplished – was taking a horse out on a trail or bush ride (98 votes or 35.4%). This was double the number of votes for the second placed activity which was competing successfully at a low-level competition (49 votes or 17.7%).
Ranked third was to ride and compete a horse at high level competition and be successful (35 votes or 12.6%). This was closely followed by competing at a low-level competition, so just participating (32 votes or 11.6%). Down the results list was to participate in a high-level competition (8 votes or 2.9%). Therefore, although trail riding come out on top, a combined total of 44.8% respondents did see going to horse shows or events as an accomplishment.
A combined total of 10.8% felt accomplished participating in a clinic (22 votes or 7.9%) or in an adult riding club event (8 votes or 2.9%).
Finally, there were those that felt accomplished to just ride their horse in an arena (3 votes or 1.1) and those happy to hang out with their horse in the paddock (14 votes or 5.1%) or lead the horse out on the trail (8 votes or 2.9%).
I believe these results are significant for several reasons. Firstly, are equestrian coaches equipped with the skills and knowledge to coach people how to prepare and train their horse to be a safe and reliable on a trail or bush ride? Many people think that trail riding is the “simpliest” activity you can do on a horse. It is not. It is complex. To get a horse to be a safe, confident, reliable and enjoyable out on a trail or in the bush is a lot of careful preparation, training and practice. Sure, you can get on any horse and head out down the trail with a wing and a prayer, but the risks of an accident and injury are high if the rider is not confident and horse is not thoughtfully prepared. Therefore, this begs the questions – are coaches aware of how to help people prepare their horse’s for trail or bush riding? Are pony clubs or equestrian associations, that set standards and coaching assessments conscious of the need for coaches or instructors to be equipped with such knowledge and skills?
Secondly, are equestrian associations catering for the desires and interests of the horse community? Most focus on competing and specific equestrian disciplines. Why do people see it as a major accomplishment to take their horse for a trail ride? Is it because people are being too narrow in their involvement in equestrian disciplines that don’t involve activities outside of an arena (e.g. dressage, showjumping etc.) and therefore, not being exposed to these skills? Or, is it some other reason or just the fact that it is a wonderful experience to be out in nature on horse-back that beats winning ribbons?
Stay tuned for my next investigation and exploration!
Cheers, Shelley ❤
