My mare has been in regular dressage work for about 5 months now. Nothing crazy, usually 4 rides a week, one lesson every other Saturday. Lately she's ben getting through sessions but feels flat by the last 15 minutes and recovery seems slower than il was earlier this year.
Hey guys!! I am after some advice pretty please! I am a 27yo dressage rider from Australia, I have been lucky enough to train my own horses up to Prix St George level. I am wanting to take the next step with my dressage career and compete internationally in UK/ Europe. In order to do this, I am leaving my full time corporate job in Australia and moving to the UK this year. I was just after some advice as I am considering different options as to what the next step for me could look like. Option A) Find a groom/riding position in the UK (I would like to be based somewhat close to London as that is where my partner will be working), and work my way up to hopefully be able to compete to a high level. Or B) Find another corporate type full time job and hopefully find an owner with a talented horse that I could ride after work and on weekends.
Just wondering if anyone else has managed to juggle having a full time 'regular' job and then also having a successful competition career, without having your own equestrian property/ horses to ride? If so, how did you manage to do this? ❤️
It seems most of the professional riders I know of have either made that their career, or own their own stables etc.
Thank you so much in advance!!
I'm building BarnPage.com and looking for a few US-based trainers who would be willing to try it and give honest feedback.
I've already worked with a few local barns and received some great feedback, but those tests involved me helping with setup and answering questions along the way. What I'm looking for now is a more realistic experience. I'd like people to sign up, explore the platform on their own, and tell me what makes sense, what doesn't, and what they would change.
I'm particularly interested in hearing:
One thing worth mentioning: you'll see a Plans section on the site. Right now my goal is to build something useful for barns, not to squeeze every dollar out of it. My preference is to keep the core platform free and only charge if there are real operating costs that need to be covered. If there is ever a cost, it would likely be tied to usage of more expensive features rather than basic barn management.
This isn't a sales post. I'm still actively building the platform and trying to learn what trainers actually need before I spend time developing new features.
If you're interested, you can either send me a DM or create an account and request access through the dashboard. I'll get you set up as quickly as I can.
I'd really appreciate the feedback.
Hello!
Does anyone have any riding holiday recommendations that focus on dressage? I would call myself an intermediate/average rider. I’ve been riding on and off for about 25 years (I’m 30) at an eventing barn. I ride very casually now (mostly trails) and would love to do some kind of intensive riding holiday where I could improve my flat work. (I can do every basic things like leg yield etc). I know I could do this through regular lessons but also enjoy travelling and would like to try and experience like this!
I am in Sweden so was thinking Poland or Spain? But I’m flexible in I go anywhere that’s not super far nor super expensive. :)
I’ve looked up a few things but would be interested to see what comes to mind for others if you have any! :)
Hi! I was a grand prix/olympic dressage groom but most of my riding experience is actually in reining!
I found an excellent little stable nearby that does lessons up to level 2 and I am so excited to start. I want to treat myself with a "starter" outfit, so a helmet, shirt, breech, sock, and boot. Do you have recommendations for affordable but nice looking clothes to start a girl out? I'm located in the US if that helps.
Also, any tips on controlling hair under your helmet? I never wore one as a reiner but I want to look put together and like I kinda belong there haha. I have thick, straight, shoulder length hair that I do not use product on.
Thank you soooo much for any tips. This gal is pretty stoked!
Hi, not sure if this is allowed here but I am a horse deprived girl. It’s been 3 years since I’ve ridden and I am more than ready to get back into it. I took a longer than expected break due to being in college amoungst other things. I had a trainer who sort of killed my joy of riding. She taught me a lot and provided me with many talented horses to learn from, but I became a burnt out teenager.
Taking this break was hard, but it was much needed. I get emotional just thinking about all of this. I think of younger me and how upset she would be that I don’t own a horse and I’m not competing like I once was. It’s hard knowing it will take me a long time to get back to where I was. But the part that is the hardest for me is I have no clue where to go and how to get back into it.
I laugh at myself because I think I could get on and ride like I never missed a day. I know that’s not the case but I like to pretend. I’ve had my days of eventing and breaking in ponies for kids. I miss my old trainers mare who sadly passed, she was quite fancy and taught me how to really ride. But anyways, some of it has to be muscle memory right? 😅
Ideally a half-lease would be great, even when my classes start again. Or maybe someone has a horse that needs some extra rides or a horse on the back burner. Any tips on how to find a situation like this? Anyone going/go through similar situation? How do you navigate this?
A friend of mine just spent 7k on a "custom" JRD saddle. The maker came out to supposidly measure she and her horse. Saddle come in, too small for the rider and by no means fits the horse. Also, super sloppy stitching and general craftsmanship. JRD will not take the saddle back and refund her money. No trial period, nothing. AVOID them if you are in the saddle market. I feel so bad for her. She saved for months to buy this saddle. She is beyond disappointed.