your opinions on affluent people and horses?

Question

so this is me venting with a two sort of questions.
so you know the girls who buy the $30,000 plus horses and get lessons from Olympic riders and board at at the $500 month facilities do they actually know how to ride? like i just started to compete at A shows and i work at the show ground with horses that these girls buy. i work their hoses before the show and make sure they aren't going to pull any crap. then the girl comes hops on her horse for a class and hands the horse back to me. i know she can ride a horse but does she really know how to "ride". do they become so accustomed to broke horses that they don't know how to deal with hotter horses?

and my second question his how do the afford it? cause my dad makes 2 million a year and it is always a constant battle to convince them that horses as a sport is worth the money they put in. my parents would never put 30 grand into a horse. i bought my guy for 5,000 (even though he was worth 12,000) and he owns at shows, he beats all the expensive horses. i have to get a summer job, which is usually working other peoples horse. but then these other girl's parents cater to their every horse whim regardless if they have the means or not. how do these girls get their parents to cave like that??? cause i would really like to learn their method. lol

okay, done venting, but what are your views on affluent girls and their horses and their riding abilities?

Answer 1

I do know how you feel. I was always the underdog at shows because all my horses were either unusually bred or generally unattractive compared to most. I started with a hot mess of a mare that I barely managed to get around the rail at shows. After that, I took my mom's leopard appaloosa mare who is not built for hunters and managed to win some after a lot of hard work with a horse that really wasn't right for the discipline. I then took a pidgeon-toed, ewe necked, toothless old appaloosa gelding and turn him into state champion hunter under saddle. Now I'm focusing on my rescued draft cross mare. Draft crosses are often scoffed at as products of careless breeding, but with corrective hoof trimming, some chiropractic work, a hair cut, and some regular training and conditioning I think she might be mistaken for one of those expensive warmbloods come summer.



Every once in a while I wonder what could have been if I had just been handed a lovely push button hunter from the start, instead of struggling with hot, barely trained excuses for show horses, or little appaloosa mares that struggle to keep up with the thoroughbreds and warmbloods in the hunter arena. Life certainly would have been easier, and my collection of blue ribbons would certainly be larger! As the owner of a successful small business, my mother could have afforded such but I don't resent her for not handing me that professionally trained warmblood. I'm glad for the experiences I've had. It hasn't been easy but now I know from experience that I can transform the underdog into a winner, and I can ride through rearing, bucking misbehaving moments. I know how to conquer most challenges I encounter while in the saddle. If I had that push button hunter all along, I wouldn't be able to do any of that.



And to be honest, I enjoy the challenge. I like having something to work for. Because to me, showing isn't about winning, it's about getting a little better each time I enter the arena. Last year, Ursula and I just went in a walk trot class and won 5th out of 6 riders, but I was tickled with her performance. It was her first show and all I wanted her to do was make it through the class. This year my goal is to make it through a few walk/trot/canter classes. I expect her to be nervous, and unfocused at first and we'll make mistakes but that's okay, because it'll get better and we'll be raking up the blue someday. I like knowing that when I do win, it was because of the time and energy I spent working with the horse, not because of someone else's.



So don't be upset that you're not one of those girls who gets everything handed to her, because in the end you'll be the better rider. You'll know how to handle yourself when a situation gets tough and you'll know how to turn your own underdog into a winner. That blue ribbon means a lot more when it was earned by your own hard work and perseverance.



Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike people with expensive horses. It's your choice to do what you want with your money and it certainly is easier to show a well-bred horse with some training than to show an awkward draft cross with very little training! I don't blame them at all, and if you have bigger fish to fry than I do, you just might need that $30,000 warm blood to make it in a cutthroat world of rated and high-level shows. Also, not all owners of expensive horses have everyone else do their dirty work for them. Many of them have paid their dues over the years and have had to work really hard to afford the purchase price on a horse of that caliber. So you have to be careful not to generalize.

Answer 2

Oh they made me so mad when I was younger and used to show on the regular lesson horses.



However now that I am older I see things a little different. I feel bad for them because they are missing out on some of the most magical moments of horse ownership. Those moments just spent grooming your horse, or bareback rides down to the pond, or working with a young horse & teaching him something new. Those are all such great feelings. A spoiled little rich girl who doesn't even know how to tack up will never get to experience those things.



Also since their horses are already perfectly trained, they are really not as talented as someone like you or I who can get on a green horse and be confident. Those girls would get scared at the first crow hop!



Its easy to win on an animal that could do it without you!



Their parents are just different then yours. Those rich girls are probably taught that winning is the only important thing, because that is how their parents see the world. If they loose their parents are probably hard on them :-( instead of supportive.



I'd rather stop and smell the roses on the way myself!

Answer 3

$500 a month is AVERAGE for my area. And no, I don't live in Ocala or some other hot spot.



I know people who aren't rich and can ride, but being well off certainly helps. When you have a made horse you can concentrate on your own skills, and when you have the money for frequent, GOOD lessons, well, you progress way quicker than someone who picked up some $500, poorly trained nag and can only afford the occasional $15 lesson with the teenager next door.



I know a girl who has a really nice horse and takes tons of lessons. She's a great rider- She also shows a ton, which means tons of travel. Her parents make enough, but they aren't rich- But her mom supports it.



Actually, you can get a lot of nice things for cheap. OTTBs, for instance- If you know what to look for, you can pick up a diamond in the rough. Some Olympic horses are OTTBs. Used tack sales have scored me nice tack for about an eighth of what they were worth.

Answer 4

$5,000 isn't alot for a horse? Good god, that's 5 times more than I've ever spent on a horse! ;-) As a child growing up, I got the free and cheap horses and really learned how to ride. I broke my own colt at 13, worked at a ranch for 5 years starting colts and riding very well trained cutting horses, and feel I have learned more doing that than I ever would have riding broke lesson horses my entire life. I can tell you that working with the expensive cutters also meant working with their owners - they were the type that had you train their horse, warm up their horse, tack up their horse, cool down their horse... They just showed and were done with it. Very stuck up people who probably couldn't ride a hot horse if their life depended on it.



However, there are many people I know who worked with young horses their whole life, then bought a well trained horse later on in life to "settle down". Those people know how to ride!



I guess if you have more money than you know what to do with and can afford the best lessons, you'll probably be a good rider... Not really sure as I've never been in their shoes.

Answer 5

You can't judge someone solely on how nice the horse is. That's like backwards prejudice--because you have a nice horse, you must be a terrible rider.



I just got back from one of the biggest QH shows in the country (was 3rd largest, not sure where it ranked this year). I got one top 10 (HUS) and one championship (Eq) against some really, really nice QHs--$30,000 horses and plenty that were worth more than that. If you simply looked at those show results and the type of horses we're competing with, you'd probably assume the same.



However, let me tell you--I worked my tail off for that. I bought this horse 3 1/2 years ago for much less than the $30k you mentioned. In the 3 1/2 years I've owned him, I only paid for professional training for about three months (when I first bought him, as he was barely broke to ride). Even then, I went out nearly every day and rode him myself. Since then, I've done every bit of riding. I had lessons/help every now and then, but he hasn't been touched by a "professional" but one time in the last two years (and that was a five minute ride). He's never been shown by anyone but me. I ride every day, whether it's 100* or 30*, and if it's too muddy/wet at my barn to ride, I haul him myself to a local covered arena. I juggle a full time job to pay for him and give up a lot of luxuries in order to afford to do what I do. I don't pay for training or regular lessons anymore; I get help as I need it and just work harder on my own to compensate for what I can't afford. My mother doesn't cater to any whim; I was blessed to have a very supportive mother (who also enjoys riding), but I pay for every bit of my horse's expenses and even as a teenager I had to help pay for extras like shows (and the most I ever got in terms of lessons was once a week--never full training).



And yet I don't have a problem competing with people who have someone else around to do it for them. My youngest sister is one of those people. Her horse is in full training; my sister is barely allowed to ride her horse at the show until she goes in the class, because she might "mess it up." Do I think that's a little ridiculous? Yes, but it's not my problem. She's also not the rider that she could be if she spent more time riding, but that's her choice. She doesn't enjoy it like I do, or like others do.



I also know plenty of people who do pay "high" five digits for horses (and trailers, and trainers, and tack, etc.) and yet are out there as much as possible riding and working with the trainer to prepare for shows. They have the means to pay for more than I do, but that doesn't mean they don't work equally hard or appreciate what they have. Not everyone can afford to do it, but it doesn't mean there's something wrong if you do/can.



My point is--just having money and a nice horse (or a trainer to do all the work) doesn't mean that you can't ride or aren't willing to work. It may be that you simply want that luxury (and if you can afford it, go for it). If I could afford to pay for more coaching/help at shows, I would--just because I would relax a lot more. Or it may mean that you simply have other obligations. If you work a full time job or have demanding classes, you may not have time to ride daily. It doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy showing. Yes, someone who never does anything for themselves will probably never really learn to ride well, but they also won't make it very far. If they're showing at the top level, you can bet that they know how to ride--no matter how much money they paid to get there.

Answer 6

Not everyone at A shows does that. I show at A shows and I definitely did not pay 30k for my horse. I bought her as a 4 year old, and am bringing her up through the levels. some people just hop on a ride a broke horse, but most of the horses that win the higher levels only respond to the right, precise commands. These girls definitely do know how to ride. And as far as getting your parents to pay for it, its all about being committed and showing your parents that commitment. If they understand how passionate and dedicated you are, they are more likely to pay more.



One more thing, to me it seems strange that you ride these girls horses for them. Especially because you claim you don't ride at a fancy barn. Usually, a groom lunges the horse every morning and a trainer shows it early in the week. I don't know how you would get the connections to be able to do that. And, if you are getting paid for riding them, that would forfeit your amateur/junior status and you would have to show in the pro divisions.

Answer 7

Your dad is a smart man! By making you work for things and not caving to your every whim, he is making you into a better person, instead of the very type of girl you are complaining about!



Yeah, you'll always meet people who seem to get it all for nothing, but that's life. You can only hope that someday their luck will run out. They are probably fairly good riders to get to that level in the first place, but they are probably lacking in some of the basics that would make them excellent riders. They are also probably sorely lacking in the unmounted knowledge and skills that would make them good horsemen overall. But, it doesn't really matter. As long as they can afford the expensive, well trained horses, and servants to take care of them, it'll all seem good to them.

Answer 8

I think that you can't really categorise people. Just because someone buys a £30000 horse and gets someone else to warm it up doesn't mean that they can't actually ride well. However, there are people who just buy their way to the top. I know a girl who must be about 13 now who actually has a very unbalanced seat, no confidence and no respect for her ponies yet she does very well because her mother buys her brilliant ponies. However, the ponies are often gone within 6 months because she overjumps them and ruins them, but still people sell to her because of her previous results. She once fell off and the pony continued to jump clear round the course (no joke) which goes to show how much she contributed to that round...quite frankly, coming from a family who can only afford one pony at a time, I cannot stand people like that, who have no respect for their ponies and don't even take the time to learn to ride properly.



I don't know how they afford it, to be honest. Sponsorship if they are very good (after saying that, I don't jump internationally or anything, I do national tracks etc and I have been offered sponsorship) and riding for people instead of actually buying. However, just because a horse is expensive doesn't mean it will perform. My current gelding cost around £8000 and we have beaten Whitakers and other household names riding horses that cost £30000 or the likes. (no offence whitakers; they can seriously ride & I wish I had their fluent style they all seem to adopt). I once tried out a horse from one of these famous / household people (won't say who it is, don't want to discredit them) and the horse was incredibly expenisve but I thought what the hell. Decided against buying it in the end, got a cheaper guy, next week went out and beat it. So money can't buy you love!!

Answer 9

The trouble with people like the ones you describe,sweetie is that they are only RIDERS. They never become true horse people, because it's only by handling a horse ON THE GROUND that you discover the animal's true character and personality, and through that, how to control and form a partnership with the animal. These girls you're talking about NEVER GET that experience, no matter how much money they or their parents spend- and in the end, it hurts them because they get bored with riding and move on to whatever the next latest fad happens to be. YOU, on the other hand, sound more like the kind of self made, honest, brave type of real horse person which I wish the industry had more of. You know these other girls' horses FAR BETTER than they ever will, simply because you've worked with them day in and day out. You know their habits, their likes and dislikes, how they feel on a given day. Because you know this, the horses trust you and most likely would do anything for you. YOU don't have to worry about them kicking you, or about getting bucked off, because the horses understand you. These girls you're talking about, who only ride when it suits them to, aren't as lucky. If you give them any type of horse that is greener than what they are used to, they're going to get into trouble in a hurry. They'll be the ones who have accidents and make fools of themselves in front of the judges, while you get to snicker from the sidelines.



As for affording the sport, some people are just born into wealth. Others come from families headed by CEO's of major companies, or by other professionals like doctors and attorneys. There are also plenty of rich parents out there who think they can buy their childrens' affection by showering them with expensive gifts like horses. It's sad, really, because more often than not, the kids end up seeing right through such pathetic attempts at bribery. That's what you are probably seeing with some of these rich girls you're talking about. How many of them have parents who are actually MARRIED to each other? How many of them have parents who are actually on SPEAKING TERMS with their daughters, and who view their daughters as something other than a commodity or an investment? Money doesn't buy happiness or love- and I'm willing to bet that a lot of these girls probably have parents who could care less if their daughters are happy about what they are doing. Then there are the "horse show" parents, who I can't STAND. These people are the opposite of the kind of parents these girls you describe have. In the case of the horse show parents, what matters to them is not whether their kids are happy or enjoying the sport, it's what their kids PRODUCE in terms of winning that counts. These are the parents who will stop at nothing to make sure that their kids win at ANY COST, no matter who gets hurt in the process. The kids aren't ALLOWED to lose or have an off day, EVER. This is also the kind of parent who often forces his or her child to ride no matter what, because that's what the social circle they belong to demands. The parents are trying to relive their own lost youth vicariously through their children by forcing the kids to do things that the parents did and probably failed at. It doesn't matter if the kid wants to do it or not- what mom or dad says goes. I think you've probably seen the type- kids like this are often the ones who will change horses or change trainers as often as the rest of us change our shirts. They are the ones who are never satisfied, no matter how much they achieve, because their parents won't let them be. I feel sorry for kids with parents like this, I really do. There's no joy in the sport for them, and in most cases they usually will quit riding as soon as they legally can, which generally means when they turn 18. I don't know how many talented people the horse industry has lost because of this, but I have a feeling it's a lot. And this sort of behavior isn't limited to girls- there are plenty of GUYS who have had the same problem. There's a reason why the gender balance in the sport of show jumping is way off- and this is part of it.

Answer 10

They are what i call "passengers". They know how to ride, but they don't really know how to RIDE. The people that put the time into the horse (saddling them themselves, feeding them, taking care of them, ect.) and know their horse has a bond and knows how to really ride! They are what I would call a rider. The people who listen to their instructors, learn, and use that knowledge are the riders. The people who go to lessons, the instructor tells them to do this and that, they do it, say they know it but never use it, think they are the best they can be and don't want to learn, those are your passengers. Put a passenger on a horse that's not "Push Button" and they won't know what to do. Put a rider on the same horse, and they will get it to do what they want it to. There are differences in both types. lol now that was my vent =)

Answer 11

They don't get as much out of the whole experience. They see it as a right, not a privilage.



I think my horses are dearer to me because I had to work for them. They weren't just handed to me ona silver platter, and I don't get to just toss the reins to the groom when I'm done. I've made a lot of sacrifices to get to where I am.



I think my accomplishments are much more impressive too. I made due with what I had earned or was given. I don't ride $30,000 horses, but sometimes, I beat those girls who do.



And besides, aren't they the biggest b*****s you've ever met?!?!?!?!

Answer 12

I'm a white yankee. The north is certainly not unfriendly. But I've found that large parts of the south are measurably friendlier than, say, north of the Ohio river. But there are parts of the south that seemed pretty sullen to me, too.

Answer 13

I think judging people purely for how much was spent on their horse, equipment and training is as judgemental as hell. I have met rich riders who were excellent and could ride anything, and yes I have met spoilt little princess who don't know the horses head from its ***. Not everyone rich is spoilt and entitled, and to assume they are just shouts jealousy to me.