Would it be silly to show....

[Mimi La Rue]

in a crossrails hunter class? I am 29 years old and it would just be at a schooling show at my barn which is in 2 weeks. I took a big break from riding and just got back into it about a year and a half ago. Until about a few weeks ago I was pretty terrified to jump again but now I am getting back into it and having fun jumping. So far my horse and I just jump crossrails pretty much -- at least that is what I am feeling totally comfortable doing at this point. I am sure in another few weeks we will be doing a lot more. So would it be silly to be an adult and show at crossrails? My horse isn't green, he is pretty much a packer but I am just a wuss. I think I would be embarrassed to be the only adult in the class if I were, but I also think it would be a good experience because jumping is pretty much new to me again and it would be my first show in many years. Also first show for my horse and I together. Should I do it or just stick to flat classes for now until I am more comfortable showing in the other jumping classes?

[findeight]

Nope, if you are ready for crossrails, you need to go do it. And have a little fun with it-nice to be relaxed your first show back.

Get the nerves over with now, while they are little, don't put it off and dread the day you have to go in and jump. There is a good reason you are in this class so you don't have to feel bad, guilty or overqualified. Or embarrassed by being the only one out there over 4' tall.;)

[JB]

I hope not, I started my greenie in the Short Stirrup division at schooling shows, unjudged :lol: I was in my upper 30's at the time, so I had you by almost 10 years ;)

Just talk to the management about what you're doing, you may need to declare yourself unjudged due to the horse's experience and yours (even though you have the heebies right now), but that's ok :)

[PONY751]

No need to be embarrassed. You should jump at the level you feel comfortable. There is nothing embarrassing in showing against kids, and if you do well, it could be a great confidence booster. Being a re-rider myself, I took off several years to work on the high seas (no horses there:(), it took me a while to get back to the level I once was. I did have my reservations as well. Riding with teens and young riders can be daunting. Especially at a competitive show barn. But once I got into a groove and got to know the girls I was riding with, it has become a very pleasant experience. And they are very supportive of me. So go out there and get your crossrail on girl!

[LSM1212]

Um... I'm a bit older than you. And my last Hunter show (last summer) I entered the 18" crossrail and 18" vertical divisions. :)

I did get Reserve Champion (x-rails) and Champion (verticals). Kinda felt bad taking it away from the kidlets... well... maybe just only a little bit. :D

My horse is more than capable of doing more. Me? Not so much.

But I haven't competed over 2'3". Weenie adult re-rider.

So yes... if you are comfortable doing x-rails. Go for it!

[Jo]

Do you get to wear pigtails with big bows? I'd be all over that! ;)

[SarahandSam]

I'm 27 and just did my first crossrail class. I'm hoping my horse will be ready to show crossrails this summer as well so that by next summer we're both ready to do actual o/f classes. (:

I know some places offer adult crossrail divisions...

[arena run]

I have no usable advice or even knowledgable comments... just wanted to say that I'm so glad I'm not the only one in this position!!!

I'm 42 and will be 43 by the time I ride in my first real, live jump class (hopefully I'll get the opportunity to do an imitation of a cross country course w/18" fences this October -- or maybe I'll just opt for the cross rail section.... <lol>).

Anyways... there's a combo show in the spring that I want to enter this next year and my choices are cross rail, 12', 18", or 2'. 2'!!!!!????!!!!!!

Oh my word.

It makes my knees quake, truly.

What I want is to enter the cross rails.... but I hope to be able to make it up to 2' by then. Surely, I can jump 2' fences by spring???? ;)

If not, I'll be in the 12" and/or 18" w/the "kidlets" as LSM so eloquently put it. I was quite aghasted to realize I would be showing against 6 and 7yos.... thinking rather arrogantly that surely I would be able to beat them and what would their horrified mothers think!? LOLOL Seeing this gray headed lady taking 1st place away from their Precious One!

Or...

I might fall on my -----. ;)

[Katie-Nicole]

Woo! How exciting - really! Show at a level you're capable of and that you're prepared for. Nothing worse than going into a ring and embarassing yourself by biting off more than you can chew.

[LShipley]

I am so glad to hear I am not the only one who did the Special Beginner at a local show when I was much older than 10. At my first show, at age 32, I did the Special Beginner 18" cross-rails class, in good company with my 8 year old and 15 year old riding pals. We all cheer each other on, and commiserate with each other when things don't go right. I'm short and I ride a pony, so I keep joking about putting my hair in braids and pretending I am 10...maybe for the Halloween show.

The show moms - not much older than me - hold water for me and help me tack up, too. It is just all part of being in a riding community, and everyone has fun.

At my next two shows, we did a class called "warm-up", with 2 foot verticals and no change of direction. I thought I would feel a little bad taking it away from the kiddies when I place, but many times, they are the ones beating me, so I got over that.

Now we know our lead changes, and are competing at 2' and 2'3". There are actually some people older than me in the 2'3" class, but now my problem is that they all pros, schooling their greenies....It's all good experience for me and my horse, and as long as you and your horse are having fun, its worth it.

[nagatha]

Go for it!!!! I was in the same situaton last year. I hadn't been over a jump in almost 35 years and 2 weeks before our home schooling show I started popping over cross rails. We divided the class in to ponys for the little ones and an "Old Goats" for us Senior / Re-rider / Beginner adults. We seniors had a blast and this "Old Goat" ended up 2nd in our division. It was the most fun I have had in years and gave me more confidence to jump than I have had in years.

[Whisper]

In my first couple of H/J shows as an adult, I just showed in the HUS and flat eq classes, and Hunter hack over 2 x-rails at the second one. It was a nice, low-key way of getting into the ring. Don't worry about your age, right now, that's the level that works for you! Do double-check with the organizer about eligibility, though - some classes are restricted to maiden or limit riders.

[Mimi La Rue]

Thanks for the replies! Good to know it's not so silly after all. :D Now to break the news to my trainer... I don't think even her youngest students ride in the crossrail classes. I mentioned wanting to show and she said I should do green rider hunter classes. I then said maybe I'll just stick to flat once she mentioned that. :lol: I think she gets a little frustrated because she knows my horse really well and knows he can do much more. She also trained me before my break so she knows I was once a pretty fearless rider, but I just have to remember it took me many years to get to that point. I think doing a crossrail class would be fun not to mention good experience for myself. I will also have a lot of competition too because the crossrail classes seem to always have over 20 entries. Most of the young girls at my barn have ridden my horse though so maybe I will change his name and go incognito - pass him off as being a greenie. jk.

[kellyb]

Hope it isn't silly, I'm an adult that shows in crossrails :D

If it's a division where it's all kids, I just flip my number over and show unjudged. Really you're a jerk either way, if you beat the 9 yr old kid you're a cherry picker, but if you GET beat by the 9 yr old kid, you'll never hear the end of it :lol:

Our local show association (unrated) must have caught on to all of us chickenshits/green horse riders doing the x-rails last year, because now we have our very own adult cross rails division. :D

[dab]

Especially since you have the opportunity to do a schooling show at your own barn, go for it! The experience will be good for you, and the atmosphere at in-barn schooling shows is usually supportive and relaxed -- I think many of the kids enjoy showing with adults -- It gives them a great story to tell when they beat an adult --

[bigyellowmoose]

Not silly at all. If it makes you happy and is safe, it's NEVER silly :D The whole point of riding (and showing, if that's what you want to do) is to have FUN. Especially if you are coming off a break. Do it, enjoy it, and post pics for us :D

[jetsmom]

As an adult, I would probably go in unjudged. Ribbons don't mean much to me, whereas, they do to the little kids. I'd hate to go in and take a ribbon away from a little kid. I'd still know how I did after the class, without the ribbon, and would get the experience.

[paint hunter]

At our local schooling shows, there are some adults in the cross-rails. You can always ride not to be judged. I did see at our last show a very experienced assistant trainer (who shows on the A circuit) take a semi-greenie in the cross-rails. I think if I were a pro I'd certainly go not to be judged. Needless to say, she picked up all the blues. In her defense, she did have the best rounds, including the eq over. So, if you are concerned, go not to be judged. It also takes away some of the pressure....

[Queen Latisha]

Not silly at all, show and have fun.:)

[SprinklerBandit]

Go for it! I used to show my old horse in the 2'9"-3'3", then I took time off for school. I'm coming back with a green horse now, and we'll hopefully be doing crossrails in the shows early next summer. I was very disappointed when I found out the walk/trot was for kiddies only. What about baby horses and out of practice riders?

[Peggy]

Go for it! And don't feel silly.

Star and I did cross-rails at our first show. I hadn't shown o/f in almost 10 years and had been jumping him for maybe six weeks after six years of little jumping on my part. He'd been started over fences about six months previously, jumping about one time a week with the trainer aboard. This whole thing started b/c I wanted to give him something different to do. He was supposed to be a dressage horse:lol:.

Our plan for the show was more ambitious but then my trainer saw the colorful assortment of fences in the ring and kind of went :eek::eek::eek::eek:! I said that I was not proud and would do cross-rails. So we did, along with a rather large assortment of kids and adults. I still have the third-place ribbon we earned that day in eq o/f. For my horse and me it was the right decision that day and we went on to conquer the Green Rider division at the next show a few months later.

[AppendixQHLover]

Go and have fun.

I just started cantering fences recently again after serious scares from old horse. I am doing 18" verticals this weekend and am thrilled. Granted this show has an age group for the adult re-riders over 35. :D

[Giddy-up]

Go. Do it. Have fun. :cool:

And tell your trainer you want your first outing as a re-rider at X's so you aren't nervous & then maybe next time you'll be ready for the bigger stuff.

[WorthTheWait95]

Go have fun!

When I first started showing back when I was 5/6 I clearly remember some adults showing the same class as me and it never crossed my mind to think of it as 'odd' so I really wouldn't worry/feel guilty about it. Do what you're ready for and have a blast!

[hellerkm]

At our local schooling shows, there are some adults in the cross-rails. You can always ride not to be judged. I did see at our last show a very experienced assistant trainer (who shows on the A circuit) take a semi-greenie in the cross-rails. I think if I were a pro I'd certainly go not to be judged. Needless to say, she picked up all the blues. In her defense, she did have the best rounds, including the eq over. So, if you are concerned, go not to be judged. It also takes away some of the pressure....

ok just my humble opinion but this seems wrong to me. I think its fine to school your greenies in the x-rails classes but please if your a semi pro go in un-judged, what do you get out of beating little kids out of ribbons??
going to hide in the corner while everyone flames me! :eek::eek:

[danceronice]

ok just my humble opinion but this seems wrong to me. I think its fine to school your greenies in the x-rails classes but please if your a semi pro go in un-judged, what do you get out of beating little kids out of ribbons??
going to hide in the corner while everyone flames me! :eek::eek:

I won't flame you...while I personally wouldn't go unjudged, I'm an adult rerider who never jumped higher than 2'6", and that was about ten years ago, and that's about the level I should be at. However if I'd kept up, even if I were schooling a greenie I wouldn't go in to be judged. Never mind if I were someone's AT and showing OTHER horses at much higher levels.

Unless the majority of people signed up for the class were other advanced riders schooling green horses. Though the whole concept makes me wonder, no age limits for riders? I guess I can sort of see how if a rider's a teenager versus an adult, for a hunter, where the horse is being judged, it doesn't matter, but no split to keep an eighteen-year-old from riding against an eight-year old? Just in terms of physical mass and coordination for stages of development that seems like pitting a pea shooter against a Howitzer.

[starrysky]

It certainly isn't silly - it sounds like this division is appropriate for you and your horse at this time. Go in, and have fun!

I am leasing a 3 year old haflinger, and we went to our first show in May. We did the walk-trot not to jump division, and he was reserve champion at his first-ever horse show! It was the appropriate division for us. I am not a super-experienced show rider myself, so I didn't have any guilt.

We also have a rider at my barn who is in her 40's, new to riding, and just competed in her first horse show in May - in the Walk Trot Crossrails division. It was the appropriate division for her.

I hope that after a season of walk-trot, next year my horse and I can do the crossrails. I will not feel silly at all! :D

[hellerkm]

I won't flame you...while I personally wouldn't go unjudged, I'm an adult rerider who never jumped higher than 2'6", and that was about ten years ago, and that's about the level I should be at. However if I'd kept up, even if I were schooling a greenie I wouldn't go in to be judged. Never mind if I were someone's AT and showing OTHER horses at much higher levels.

Unless the majority of people signed up for the class were other advanced riders schooling green horses. Though the whole concept makes me wonder, no age limits for riders? I guess I can sort of see how if a rider's a teenager versus an adult, for a hunter, where the horse is being judged, it doesn't matter, but no split to keep an eighteen-year-old from riding against an eight-year old? Just in terms of physical mass and coordination for stages of development that seems like pitting a pea shooter against a Howitzer.
I have NO issue with the OP riding in the classes AT ALL, I just feel that if you need to school your horse in a class with smaller fences and you are a trainer or asst trainer you should have the common courtesy to go in unjudged.
I too think there should be age guidelines for the reasons you mentioned, but there is another school of thought and I TRY very hard to instill this in my girls. It really does not matter who you ride against, riding and showing is between you and your horse/pony, its about doing YOUR best and trying your hardest. If you win great but if you don't and you still did the BEST you can do that it awesome too. So while as a mom it bothers me that my kids are riding against pros or semi pros, as a sportsman I try very hard to remember ( and remind the girls) that the other people in the class have NOTHING to do with them. IN other words I try very hard to hide my SHOW MOM attitude and keep her well out of sight! :winkgrin:

[Donna from IA]

Okay. Over 50 when I returned to showing. Cross rails first - twice around the outside was all I could handle. My trainer puts people together in lessons by ability/level. So, there are days I'm in with 10-12 year olds on ponies. It's a blast. Kids keep you young and its an excuse to let the kid out yourself. Everyone's really supportive at home and away. Definitely do the cross rails and if they don't separate by age, go in with the kids. As a previous poster said, it's about you and your horse - NOT about the ribbons. Neither you alone nor your horse alone can guarantee a ribbon - it's a team sport. And as much as I like a blue, what I really enjoy is watching the videos to see how we've improved and what we need to work on next. You pay an entry fee, you should get judged. Have fun!

[smm20]

I've shown in cross-rails because I am a wuss, especially at shows and I'm in my late 20's. Don't worry about taking ribbons away from kids - sometimes they beat you! I've found that at the larger schooling shows where there are x-rails eq and x-rails hunter classes, the kids on ponies always win the hunter classes because their ponies just jump nicer over the smaller stuff.

[AliCat]

I'm 27, and just getting back into the show world. I have shown twice now in "opportunity" beginner hunter (which is 2'). I have had lots of fun, and have competed against riders of all ages. If I am paying entry and coaching fees, I want to be judged.

[cnvh]

Go forth and have fun!

I'm 34 and have been riding since I was 5, steady lessons until age 15, then on-again-off-again on my own since then, never with more than a year or two break in between. I'd say I'm a pretty good rider, but I'm not nearly as brave as I was when I was 15... and I JUST entered my very first schooling show this past January, after 29 years of riding. :D We did the crossrails and 18" classes for the first few shows, and for this series we're doing the Open Eq division at 2' and 2'3". We MIGHT do 2'6" by the end of the series, we might not. :)

Luckily my barn breaks the beginner eq divisions out to under-17 and 18+, but they didn't for the last series. It did feel a little weird competing against the kiddos-- it's a no-win, like someone else said; you beat them and you're a heel, you're beaten by them and you feel like an imbecile, haha... but luckily there were other adults in the classes then too, so it wasn't just me and a bunch of 10-year olds.

Are there other adult re-riders you can goad into entering the crossrails class(es) with you? I find that a little bribery and a lot of whining go a long way. :winkgrin:

[Whisper]

Sometimes they don't have enough people to justify the age split, or they need to split for too many people, but 80% of them are under 12 or so. Don't worry too much about it.

[City Ponies]

Hey I'm 25 and was showing in the walk/trot class!! It was the Green Horse and/or Rider class and my guy had only been undersaddle for about 3 weeks. He handled like a champ, unfortunately he was the only truly green horse in the ring. So it was basically us and 8 or 9 made ponies with little kids using the class as a warm up to Short Stirrup. We didn't place but it was his first show, and he was flawless (to me :winkgrin:), and had it really been just a green horse class we would've done quite well.

But I have no shame showing my greenie in classes he's capable of. In Nov 08' I was doing the 2' Schooling hunters with a green sale pony and just 3 years ago I was doing level 4 jumpers. I never really got out of the show mentality and I still am proud to do a W/T class with my horse because it's our combined efforts as a TEAM, not what you or what your horse has done. New team, new goals!! Our goal for our next show in crossrails at the end of August!! :D

[paw]

Go for it! And recruit some older friends to enter the class, too!

[copper1]

Cross rails is for starters, old and young. Wouldn't worry too much about the kids since they are more than likely going to beat the old folks!

[equest]

Go for it! There is a lot of benefit to simply having the show experience and conquering the butterflies, regardless of what height you jump. Everyone has to start somewhere. I am 33 and have only been riding regularly and somewhat consistently for about 5 years. I've done some crossrails classes and some 18" classes against the kiddies, you just swallow your pride and enjoy the ride :) Now I am up to 2'6 at the schooling shows, still mostly competing against kids with a few adult riders as well.

It helps if you have some fellow adult re riders competing with you (not all 12 year old kids). :) Maybe not at this show, but at other shows, there will be a long stirrup or rusty stirrup division with more adults riding.

[LSM1212]

Here are pics as proof. Look at me and my big beast next to all the "little ones". :D I felt so tall....

http://kentuckyrider.com/Gallery/06-07-08-Boshart-Show

[AppendixQHLover]

Oh and BTW...when i go against the kids they usually beat me. The cutness factor for the kids is WAY higher than a chicken adult re-rider. :D

[findeight]

As an adult, I would probably go in unjudged. Ribbons don't mean much to me, whereas, they do to the little kids. I'd hate to go in and take a ribbon away from a little kid. I'd still know how I did after the class, without the ribbon, and would get the experience.

Oh, for heavens sake...why do some assume an older adult who has not ridden competitively in years and years is going to beat an adorable tyke who rides around giggling and thinks falling off is fun? Or a tall, skinny teen new to riding but very active in competitive sports at school-one with exceptional balance and body control?

Much to the contrary, the little ones are so much more confident they ride better and usually wax the rears of any adults who venture in that ring.

There is no need to go unjudged unless there are rider restrictions on that class-like "must never have shown at a canter or must never have jumped over 2'" There usually are no such things, it's just for those not ready to jump a course yet. For whatever reason.

One thing that is unique about showing-all ages ride and compete together based on level, not age or gender. You have every right to be in that class so go in there without worrying anybody will think you are "too good to be in there". Trust me...you are not too good for any level that is appropriate and will not automatically win or have any advantage as an adult.

Now, if you do well and win, you DO need to get out of there and not stay to gather points, move up as soon as you can.

[LSM1212]

Oh, for heavens sake...why do some assume an older adult who has not ridden competitively in years and years is going to beat an adorable tyke who rides around giggling and thinks falling off is fun? Or a tall, skinny teen new to riding but very active in competitive sports at school-one with exceptional balance and body control?

Much to the contrary, the little ones are so much more confident they ride better and usually wax the rears of any adults who venture in that ring.

There is no need to go unjudged unless there are rider restrictions on that class-like "must never have shown at a canter or must never have jumped over 2'" There usually are no such things, it's just for those not ready to jump a course yet. For whatever reason.

One thing that is unique about showing-all ages ride and compete together based on level, not age or gender. You have every right to be in that class so go in there without worrying anybody will think you are "too good to be in there". Trust me...you are not too good for any level that is appropriate and will not automatically win or have any advantage as an adult.

Now, if you do well and win, you DO need to get out of there and not stay to gather points, move up as soon as you can.

Yep... trust me. I've been beat badly by those cute kidlets in pigtails and ribbons. :)

I was watching Rolex last night (2009 edition) and part of the commentary was interesting. The huge age difference even at the highest of levels. Low 20's up to 50's/60's. So if they have that much of an age swing, why can't the lower levels? :D

[chawley]

Go for it! We've had several adults showing in the cross rail division the past couple years (re-riders or people just starting out). I think it's great.

I myself have shown tons of greenies and various beginner classes (unjudged) over the years if a show didn't offer something for a super green horse.

Go out and have fun. Before you know it, you'll be graduating to the next level.

[smay]

If you are worried about competing against all kids and would be embarrassed to take a ribbon away from them, just ask to compete unjudged, or not for a ribbon. You can then ask the judge "how you did" later since it's a schooling-type show.

[Mimi La Rue]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! I think I'm going to do it! I get nervous though just thinking about it... well just showing in general in a flat or jumping class. The last time I jumped at a show was probably in 1996 and the last time I showed (which was just flat classes) was in 2000. It's been awhile. I also plan to go in judged too and expect to get my butt kicked by all the kiddies. My horse is pretty well schooled but since jumping is new to me, my eye isn't the greatest at getting the right distances and I hold my horse back a lot because I think he gets too fast to the jumps when really he is going at the right pace so we put in too many strides. I am sure with all the nerves of just showing my rounds won't be too great. Even if we don't win a single ribbon, I will be happy that I was brave enough to show. This weekend I plan to get my show clothes. :winkgrin:

[findeight]

YIPPEEEE..a fashion thread;)...what colors are you looking at?

[Mimi La Rue]

I have no idea actually. I have a bay horse. What colors look best with bays?

I don't really like green or navy. I am thinking more towards a dark grey or brown.

I like this look right here. http://www.doversaddlery.com/r%2Ej%2E-classics-diamond-show-coat/p/X1-40189/cn/34/

[Fun Size]

I LOVE this thread!!

I've only been riding at a "real" barn for just over a year, and they just started me jumping properly this spring, so when I go to a show in November it is cross rails for me!!

Glad to know I'm not the only adult doing it :D

[LSM1212]

Now that this thread has been "revived"...

How'd it go, Mimi La Rue???

[PolarPony]

I think there is definitely a lot of riders who come back after a break and need to get more confidence. I know I haven't ridden for over two years and I know for a fact that I won't be showing more than cross rails for awhile :D

[Mimi La Rue]

Now that this thread has been "revived"...

How'd it go, Mimi La Rue???

I ended up not showing. :( It was like 100* that day. My husband ended up getting laid off the week of the show. Also my in-laws ended up coming in town that weekend to visit and that would be way too much of a crowd watching me. I would have been soooo nervous. lol. I guess I wussed out. It was really hot that day though and it made more sense not to show and save the money to buy a couple bales of hay instead for my horse due to the whole money situation.

Next show is in September and I totally plan to do it then. Husband got a new job too last week.

[Fun Size]

Better to skip it and not be miserable!! We had a show like that a few weeks back, one of the Gold Coast shows in Burbank and it was at least 100!! And I haven't been showing because I got laid off in January (yep, attorney and still can't find a job!!) so I have no budget for it, but I've saved up and I am going to do one in November.

Let us know how yours goes!!

Cross Rails here we come....:D

And....gasp! I will be doing cross rails at an A show. It is a mile from my house and they do a "B" ring over in the corner and let us go between pony rounds so they don't have to move the jumps too much. Most CA shows have Cross Rail, Green Rider (2'), and the short/long/rusty stirrup classes at 2'3". So I'll be doing those for awhile and I'm really excited!!