[netg]

I know multiple people who complain loudly about not being able to make it up the levels who won't commit to a single horse and regular lessons and hard work (even when completely financially able).

It made me look at myself to see what my limits in how much I'll do are.

For me, I won't do horses for a living as long as healthcare is so hard to get. I have asthma, and there are times I simply am not physically capable of being out and around the horses. I also knew long ago that my mom had no retirement to speak of and I would be supporting her. I won't be in a situation where I can't take care of her and let her fend for herself in exchange for horse success.

And I simply don't *want* to be a working student. I will admit I simply don't want to work that hard and never had. That's physically demanding, and asthma or not it's more exhausting than I want!

I would be willing to live in a clean studio apartment with no tv and eat inexpensive foods with little money for other entertainment and little social life to improve with horses. Because of my job, that's not necessary, but that's not something which would limit me. I'm willing to severely limit any time spent going out to eat and around friends to ride more. I expect at some point my work will become part time and I'll have three horses I ride daily in addition to taking care of my mom as her health declines. I take as many lessons as possible (typically 2/week) with my regular trainer, plus two monthly clinic rides fall-spring with a biomechanics instructor and quarterly clinics with someone else.

But still, that's not how Olympians are made, and I'm ok with that. I can see and admit the limit to my hunger to succeed in horses, and hats off to those who work harder!

So where's your limit? Are you a 3 visit a week casual rider at a full care facility? Full training and you ride every once in a while, letting your trainer get the horse ready and safe for you? Or do you throw your all into being the best you can possibly be?

[quietann]

I'm dedicated, but not *that* much. I board at a full care barn, ride 4-5 days per week, and my trainer rides my horse once per week. I take one lesson with her and one lesson with our jumpers trainer each week. Horse generally goes no more than two days without being ridden by somebody... and because we're not ever headed to the ULs, I am not super-fussy about who rides her. I ride for enjoyment, and find I get very unhappy if I get too focused on perfection. I'm trying to have this be about the journey, not some end goal.

I think some of "making it up the levels" means you have to be willing to sell on the horses that don't work out, and I am not willing to do that. I would like to visit First Level with her, someday. She might be capable of Second or even Third, but I'm not pushing for that.

Even when I was younger, I wouldn't have been a working student. Just not my thing.

I will admit I am not making huge financial sacrifices to ride, thanks to who I married, but I do have to work (have been ~30 hours per week for years) to pay for the horse expenses, my personal expenses, and get our health insurance... I won't go without, as I have a number of chronic health issues that could get very bad very quickly if I couldn't get really excellent medical care.

This year I had a rather ambitious show schedule planned, because we haven't been able to show since 2009... but have backed off as I've realized how expensive it would be, especially given that we're "not quite ready for prime time" even at Training Level. I also have developed very bad show nerves, so it's not super enjoyable anyway.

I am giving up... a lot of time with friends, a few hobbies that have fallen by the wayside as the horse takes up time and money, perhaps some flexibility WRT my career (I could earn much more as a FT worker in private industry, not to mention have more opportunities for promotion.)

This works for me, but in my perfect world I'd have the time and money to ride other horses.

[Petstorejunkie]

I calculated my home budget with the money left over AFTER calculating the horse budget. That about sums it up.

[suzier444]

I won't do anything that would jeopardize my job and ability to earn my income. My job is somewhat volatile and can be intense, with minimal separation between home life and work life. I've had dreams of giving the working-student thing a go and trying to make horses my job, but I know that I just don't have the talent. In my heart, I know that wouldn't lead to better things for me horse-wise, long term. Ergo if I want horses in my life at *all,* I have to be able to afford them, so my job has to take priority sometimes

I struggle to get myself to work out regularly enough and should lose weight. My dedication falters there, sometimes -- I kind of go in spurts. I'm doing better lately, but it's a little pathetic that I'll give up a social life, cable, nice clothes, the boyfriend who didn't like me riding, etc., yet cannot seem to give up the macaroni and cheese.

Other than that, there's nothing else. I don't have anything else, and if I did, I'd give it up.

[meupatdoes]

I'm doing better lately, but it's a little pathetic that I'll give up a social life, cable, nice clothes, the boyfriend who didn't like me riding, etc., yet cannot seem to give up the macaroni and cheese.

Dude, giving up mac and cheese is a tall order.

My "limits" are getting lower and lower.
The ridiculous economy is beneficial in that it makes the alternatives much less lucrative and much less secure. If I am just going to be a poor lawyer with no job security anyway, why the eff not go be a working student?

Also, I am starting to really realize that I only have one short lifetime and I will never learn close to what I want to learn about riding in it if I don't quit waffling about with one foot in each pool.

[Bluey]

No question for me, being pushed by parents and society to be a student, get a degree and enter the educated workforce raise a family with my BF to eventually be DH and be that kind of productive member of society.

Well, as soon as I was out from the direct thumb of those that must be obeyed, I jumped ship, got a working student spot on a top stable and the rest is history.

So, much else people want of life I didn't get, but I didn't want it as much as working with horses gave me pleasure, all of it, eager beaver, working every waking minute and when given time off, begging for more horses to ride.

That kind of intense focus is what it takes to work with horses and do well coming from the bottom.

Worked for me, can't complain, would not have wanted to change anything at all.

I have seen many start in life doing whatever, not just with horses and quit, for a myriad of reasons and no reason, many more than I have seen be happy with what they do, so I know I am just one of the lucky ones, would not recommend others try to go against the flow, it doesn't always work and the world is different today than it was half a century ago.

[NOMIOMI1]

I have a career, a one year old, and a husband... LOL

We can only do what we can do without it shortchanging other areas of our life or ourselves. Some people are okay with that, and I know for about ten years I was and my marriage was pushed to the limit many times in terms of me just being the "missing" spouse.

Lots of times I was working 7-4pm then riding 4pm-10pm and then full weekends besides an hour for church was riding/showing/training/working for the trainer and my job.

I would not have stopped this if it hadn't been for me moving to another state (army) and then getting pregnant.

Now I do about 3 days a week and (finally) 1 day a week with a trainer and we are moving along JUST as quickly.

The reason?

I spend MORE time focused when I am there, and I spend my efforts ONLY on my own horse. Used to my own projects got put on the backburner... Now I have not time for other horses so I try to stick with JUST my own and her workouts.

My limits now are very tiny... But I am okay with that

[belgianWBLuver]

I "gave at the office" with the working student thing in my twenties over in Europe. I was everything from a lower than sea level slave to treated like a "princess" depending on the barn, the professional and of course the country.

Now I’m “retired” from that life but still serious about my riding and my young horse. I board at a low key, inexpensive facility. Have a wonderful trainer, get 2 lessons/week and he gets 2 pro rides/week. The rest is filled with ground work days for respect reinforcement, days off or “hack” days. I work 4 days /week and have a sewing/repair business at home. I go to the barn every day to do the evening stall scoop, give greenie a shower or a groom and check on his wellbeing. We have the very best in a farrier, vet and quality of hay/feed.

I save for clinics and schooling shows but really research before committing ourselves to any old show judge or clinician. There’s a lot of “junk” that comes through our neighborhood. That is also where my european experience has benefitted me well in choosing wisely.

I live very frugally as well, no cable TV, no smartphone, no expensive anything, no eating out. Pretty much everything goes to the equine, my health insurance and rent. But that is my choice and I’m happy with it.

Now realistically, will I make it to 4th level? Maybe. I think financially I can do it. But not beyond that. It takes a village to go beyond that level and I just don’t see us going there. However good scores from respectable judges at levels1-4 will suffice for us.
I certainly hope those scores are in our future. I really love being hands on and doing most of the journey myself…

[pryme_thyme]

I am a 4-day-a-weeker.
I ride for 45 mins to an hour. Constant work, with a few 2-3 minute breaks.
Sometimes less time if my mare 'gets' exactly what I am asking.

I find that to be plenty enough, I think of horses 75% of the time but I do enough life's other blessings.

My mare is young but I expect her to get to local A's but unfortunetly my budget just doesn't have room to take out a mortgage for my horse to show. I am ok with that

[Wayside]

One of the biggest limiting factors for me is that I've always been more dedicated to the horses I own than I am to moving up the levels.

Yes, there are family/financial/heath/time concerns as well, but even if I had loads of time, energy, and money, I'd still keep riding my little $500 mare

[Tasker]

No real limit beyond physical wear and tear and the financial how-to-support-my-dressage-habbit at the level I want to be competing. A part of me would like to cut the riding list down from 16 to 8 but that has more to do with hot weather right around the corner than anything else. It makes for a long day with chores, farrier, vet, miscellaneous stuff piled in there as well but that's the way it is.

I grew up in the business of breeding, raising and training FEI horses here at home and will (hopefully) do so for many years to come. CDI's were 'normal' for us and having good success in the big ring is something that I'd like to get back to in the near future. I used to joke about being a 'recovering Young Rider' but as that is all well behind me, it's time to move on, move back up the levels and enjoy life!

As for financial stuff - I don't have fancy 'real' clothes. The dry cleaners is for my show coat only and that's if there were kisses that won't come off with a good stiff brush or damp sponge. My barn stuff is usually an Ebay or sale/discount item, not full price. I usually cringe about the grocery bill and don't bat an eye at paying for a farm's worth of vaccines/wormers/vet/farrier bills. My saddle is my real extravagance and is well used at this point, so I consider it to be worth every penny. I should go get my hair cut but am dreading spending the $20...

There is a lot of sacrifice but am happiest cantering down the centerline on a beastie that I've known since birth. Having done the same thing with their sire/dam/grandparents/greatgrands/etc. makes it that much better! They are like family at this point and that makes the training process even more interesting. I was joking with my mother (who's my trainer and who's bred all of them) the other day that it was a blast to get on one of my old FEI horses after not having worked together for several months - like having a great chess match! We know each one of them - their likes, dislikes, the way they like to be asked to do things...all the little details that go into making them a cooperative partner from the ground and undersaddle. It's like having a conversation with a group of good friends - you really understand one another without having to go through any real drama to get to a comfort level.

There is probably an easier way to go about things but I love what I do each and every day on each and every horse. There are plenty of times when it can be extremely frustrating, or painful, and/or stressful but I have no regrets honestly. It's a wonderful life to work hard for what I want out of life. The other day I was riding Oz and the breeze switched and was coming out of the forest near the outdoor - smelled of roses and honeysuckle. Total bliss to be on my favorite horse and enjoying the moment. It's things like that make me think how impossible it would be to live any other way.

[Gloria]

I love my desk job too much, both for the money and environment and the job itself, to give it up for horses. lol. I love riding horses; I hate barn chore; so, no working student or any of those sort for me.

I prefer to learn how to train horses, instead of riding a trained one, so, I don't put my horse under full time training; I spent that money on clinics instead. That also means I don't expect to progress as fast as some do and the pool of clinicians are narrower, since I need someone who can teach rider to teach the horse. That also means I want someone who is tough and critical of us - I don't have time to waste in the clinics; I don't want the baby sitting type clinicians.

After struggling for more than two solid years, finally things start to fall into place and we had a very successful show season in training level last year. We have moved onto 1st level this year; so far the show season has been satisfying. At this point, all the second level movements are solidly in place, except that I need to get much more control over his hind ends for us to be solid in second level balance - he needs to be straighter and sit more. The goal for this year is to show first and second levels successfully by the end of this season. Long term goal? My pony is PSG material so that is the goal I have with him. No idea how long it will take us...

Dinners and movies and most social events are really boring for me - they are obligations not leisure in my book - so I don't feel sacrifice in that area.

[mvp]

My "limits" are getting lower and lower.
The ridiculous economy is beneficial in that it makes the alternatives much less lucrative and much less secure. If I am just going to be a poor lawyer with no job security anyway, why the eff not go be a working student?

Also, I am starting to really realize that I only have one short lifetime and I will never learn close to what I want to learn about riding in it if I don't quit waffling about with one foot in each pool.

Me too. I have a pretty degree (no more of these!) and a pretty job-- on paper. But I'm tired of being poor and lacking job security.

I have made my life narrow and flexible. I *can* give things and money up in order to pursue the right riding opportunity.

What I do bring from my "get a great education and a great white collar job" upbringing is the desire and determination to be good at whatever I try to do. It may be a very few things, but I don't want to dink around. Ever.

IMO, hanging out with people who come from that lotsaschoolhardgoodjob life trajectory can be a problem. They don't know what else to tell you and cannot *believe* it doesn't work. Also, I don't think they developed an outside interest (save marriage and kids) that's as strong as mine in horses. They can't advise me because, quite frankly, their own life experience doesn't qualify them to do that. They suggest I should miss what I'd like to do because they don't know what it's like to miss that.

I wish I had known just who I was listening to a long time ago. I'll make up for lost time now, I guess.

[CHT]

As a kid I sacrificed a lot to be able to ride, and worked very long hours until my early 20s. I taught, was a WS, cleaned stalls, groomed, trailered....

I do not regret the work/effort, but I do regret who I did it for. I wish I had worked for someone more ethical, and I wish I had had access to quality dressage riders/instructions as I had a very negative view of what dressage was...yet I loved flat work and likely would have loved "real" dressage. (I rode with/worked for a h/j barn)

After a stint doing "real" jobs, we built our existing property. I worked hard and discovered dressage. But I kept shuffling my own horses/riding on the back burner and instead worked on teaching and training thinking there would be time to work on myself. Sacrifice now for a later I thought would come.

Then I was bucked off a large draft cross. And then kicked in the head.

So now I have sacrificed the ability to fully feel/use my legs and hands. And the drugs make me tired. The concussions make it hard to focus. So I have trouble riding more than 8 rides a week, which isn't enough to get where I want to go with my two mares, but working on it. Still do some training rides, but no full time training.

The hard part of sacrifice comes when you are a couple; is it isn't just me that has to sacrifice vaccations, spending money and so on. ANd hard for DH to sacrifice for the horses when he thinks about the cost of my injuries.

So I guess the limit to my dedication now is:
1) My relationship with DH
2) My health. The two horses that wrecked me should not have been in my barn in the first place. Why on earth did I think it was my job to "save" them or their owners?

[RLastInstallment]

I wish I would be more dedicated than I am. I have post-concussion syndrome (yep, real diagnosable disorder) and it really affects my day-to-day life. I'm a full-time student (junior year, yay!), and my dedication in school is even worse than my dedication as a rider. I've got a "working student" position at a local barn (I use quotation marks because it's kind of a gray area), and I enjoy my job - it and the horses really help keep me active and sharp, and this is something I would like to do for the rest of my life.

I've got four horses; three of them are retired and enjoy leeching the checks from my wallet. My TB has had a home with me for over a year and only has ~40 rides on him (but we also had a pretty lengthy setback). In addition to the horses I ride at work, I also take my boy for the weekly lesson, and we go once a month to a dressage instructor who focuses on biomechanics which my horse and I both love

I used to ride with a local in-her-own-mind BNT who was just ugly and mean to her riders (calling us idiots, commenting on how we and the parents spend money, and even went so far as to criticize my house). So, this is another place where my dedication wanes quite a bit: Mean and nasty instructors. I put up with her emotional and verbal abuse for three years before I quit. Now I ride with a woman who is critical without being ugly about it. She's not nearly as educated as my previous instructor, but she is kind to my horse and I appreciate that most of all.

The only thing limiting my dedication, really and truly, is me.

I try so very hard to dedicate myself to the sport. I feel like I owe it to my parents and my instructor, as well as my horses. I want to, but I can't always find the will to.

[Carol Ames]

When I was younger and healthier, there was no limit tfor me; I wanted to be around horses 24/ 7; at least and had been that way, I'm told,

since meeting my first horse "up close and personal" in San Andreas, CA, Where, my great grandmother walked with me up the street to where horses were grazing and we fed them handfuls of cereal; fast forward 25 years, several degrees, diplomas and jobs later, and I was on my first "horse job" room and board pay, but, no benefits; I lived on a working horse farm and loved it; but, my habits were being watched ; already, the people I worked with were complaining "we can't get her out of the barn at night! that was true

[Carol Ames]

R lst instruction,

I have such respect for you coming back to "serious riding" after the TBI; why don't you make a list of what you would like to do if, you were totally healthy again; I did not realize until many years post concussion; 7 years pre stroke, the most often reported condition post concussion is fatigue. overwhelming; I was relieved to learn that; and hope you may be, too.

[RLastInstallment]

R lst instruction,

I have such respect for you coming back to "serious riding" after the TBI; why don't you make a list of what you would like to do if, you were totally healthy again; I did not realize until many years post concussion; 7 years pre stroke, the most often reported condition post concussion is fatigue. overwhelming; I was relieved to learn that; and hope you may be, too.

My goodness, you made me tear up

Even though it's someone I've never met, probably hundreds of miles away, having someone tell me they "get it" is so relieving.

Making a list is a great idea Getting into grad school would top that list, I think.

[GraceLikeRain]

Right now the limit to my dedication is keeping my horse sound, physically comfortable, and in peak health. At the moment that is taking every last penny I earn from odd jobs while I finish school.

After I finish grad school, get a decent job, and marry the ever wonderful BF, I will (hopefully) be able to dedicate a lot more.

I don't have aspirations to show but my ultimate goal is to be able to successfully bring up at least one horse (and hopefully several) through schooling GP with the help of a phenomenal trainer. I have decided not to have children to give me more financial stability and freedom. I am prepared to one day purchase an old schoolmaster for a hefty price tag with the knowledge that I might not get many years of riding out of him. I am willing to move anywhere in the country to find the right trainer.

I am not willing to sacrifice my relationship with my family or partner so I guess that is the limit of my dedication. I will do everything possible to become the best rider that I can as long as I can do so with the emotional support and blessings of the people who matter most to me.

[mbm]

sacrifice?

everything i do is for my horses or to learn to train better. period.

i am self employed, i am flexible, i dont have an SO or kids etc. every penny of my disposable income goes to riding.

the only thing i can see that i would like more of is to be able to take more lessons and ride more horses now that my one is off for a year.

i guess i am lucky.