I was asked why I would choose eventing and the question stuck in my head long enough to percolate into a post. I understood where she was coming from: I have limited resources mostly in time and trainer access so why decide to pick up a sport that typically requires two or three different trainers, tack sets and a whole lot of time. Its a good question especially in light of the fact that I made the change from endurance: a sport known for its lack of trainers, minimal gear and a learn as you go attitude.
Endurance wore thin on me. I had reached my goals with Gem and the people I met at ride camp were pretty darn awful. Perhaps it was just my neck of the woods and the people I ran across as there are plenty of bloggers who do endurance and speak highly of all their interactions with others, but in my region they sorta, kinda really suck. At my last ride, I watched people move other’s corrals when they went out on trail to give themselves more room, my own stuff was picked up and thrown across the road in the crew area when a lady wanted to make room for 5 horses and my stuff (which had been there for 24 hours prior to her showing up) was deemed in the way (this nearly resulted in a fist fight and they returned my stuff back to its original setting as I watched with flames shooting out of my eyes), I had a friend’s brand new heart rate monitor grow legs and never be seen again, and I won’t even get into the debacle of the lady who decided to squeeze her rig into a half spot beside me and then declare that she did not like my tent and I should move it. Guess how well that went over. I will say that once out on trail, things always improved and I found nothing but the nicest people for the most part.
By the time I finished that ride, I was done dealing with petty, high school cliques and drama. I had a brief love affair with Ride and Tie as those people are the best group of people on the planet, but talk about time commitment to get both the horse in endurance shape and myself in ultra running shape. And you need a partner. Once Wyatt is old enough to safely stay in camp while Dusty and I are out on trail, we will be returning to this sport that I love so so so much.
So I found myself at a cross roads. The lure of endurance was gone. Wyatt was old enough that he cared when I was gone for 8 hours on a conditioning ride and I found that the challenge, with Gem anyway, was taken out of the equation making those long hours alone on the trail not so compelling any more. I needed a change of pace that would fit into my life better.
Arena riding was the solution especially once the horses would be moving home. While I could no longer justify to myself or Wyatt the need to be gone on a weekend day for 5-8 hours riding, I could justify a quick spin on the horse in my own back yard. But what to do while in the arena? Toodling isn’t my style. I’m not an adrenaline junkie, but I do need something to focus on or I lose interest. Western was out of the question solely because it doesn’t interest me. Looking at the english disciplines I had dressage, jumping and eventing came to mind. It happened that during this transition period I was boarding at a private farm with an eventer. She gave me a few early lessons on Gem and I really liked the idea of mixing things up: doing dressage one ride, stadium another, and throwing in some cross country schooling here and there as well. The trail always will be my home and what I love best about it is that it is always changing. Sure you are still going down a trail, but the scenery changes, the topography changes and the terrain dictates a lot of the challenge. With eventing, it seemed as though I could capture that sense of wonder and change while still being in my own back yard.
And so I began my journey down the path of figuring out eventing. The more I got into it, the more I liked it. Sure, my current goal is to survive an amoeba level event and I highly doubt I will ever go beyond BN, if I even get brave enough to get that far, but thats something I absolutely adore about eventing and something that is lacking in endurance these days. There is no, or at least not in my area, looking down on someone or saying “you are only doing sticks on the ground that isn’t real eventing” as I hear so very very frequently in endurance when people say “that is only a 25 mile ride that isn’t real endurance” Next time I see or hear someone say that I will punch them in the throat. There is room in eventing for everyone it seems. Starting with me being happy to get through a w/t test and over 18″ sticks at basically a walk all the way up to those competing internationally at the highest levels. Perhaps in other parts of the country this isn’t the case as I am sure in other parts of the country endurance is one big happy family, but around here it is eventing heaven. Between Tryon and Aiken as well as local events, there is a show nearly every weekend all year round. The season never ends, though there is a shortage of events in the heat of summer.
I chose eventing not to become popular, hit the upper echelon, or smoke it around a prelim level course. I chose it based out of access, atmosphere, and curiosity and I plan to stick with it at my own wimpy adult ammy level. Who knows? Maybe H’Appy will give me wings and I’ll find myself moving beyond my current dreams and goals or I’ll be that 65 year old woman forever at starter. It really seems to me that nobody cares and everyone will cheer regardless. I agree that eventing can require 6 days a week to train, three different trainers and tack sets, and a lot of money to hit up all those recognized events. But eventing can also look a lot like an adult ammy squeezing in a ride as the sun goes down behind her barn, working sporadically with a trainer, and walking over 18″ fences on her way to becoming the amoeba champion of the southeast.
The Roaming Rider 
And eventers welcome you with open arms!! You don’t have to jump massive to be an eventer, just a passionate horse lover who cares about their horse 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is the feeling I get from this crowd and I love it. Of course, there will always be bad apples, but overall it has been a very welcoming and forgiving group of horse nuts.
LikeLike
Eventing is the best! And at the lower levels, can be totally manageable. If you’re going starter, you may NOT want a horse that’s 6 rides a week fit, lol.
I’m lucky to have an Eventing trainer who is a DQ, so only need one trainer, and again, even if I didn’t have Sarah, I’d probably just find a good trainer who can help with low level dressage basics and some jumping. It’s definitely possible!
LikeLike
Perhaps not! Fat horses can;t misbehave as much LOL! At the level I am at all I nee dis basic instructions, reminders of my position and a whole lot of remedial homework.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m in the same boat!! Lol
LikeLike
That is what drew me to eventing as well! No matter where you are, they’re always cheering, always wanting everyone to do well and have good, healthy, friendly competition. I’ll be very excited once I can fully immerse myself into eventing!
LikeLike
Yup! Such a supportive group and I think it’s because of how much work it is to do this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right, eventing can be whatever you want to make it, at whatever level that may look like for you. And everyone is a valid participant, no matter the level! It’s a tough sport, but we’re all in it together.
LikeLike
I really like how many different levels there are and how welcoming people in for you to just get out and do it
LikeLike
I like that there are lower levels of eventing, and in theory, you work on each area and build each into the other. XC makes me feel nervous just thinking about it, but on a good horse im sure its amazing.
Out here I found most endurance people pretty welcoming, but maybe I just missed the drama as K was 18 when I competed, or because I had some pretty well known locals in my group I was shielded. H/J has been a hard adjustment with all the “look pretty” rules as I can barely follow those un my day to day life lol. I do luke all the long stirrup type classes for us chickens except I see a lot of much more experienced riders using those classes to warm up then going to the bigger stuff which I find really unfair.
LikeLike
Hunters scares me a bit with all the rules and keeping up with the jones attitude. It would take a lot to get me into it although the actual courses and pace would suit me well
LikeLike
Yes, I like the calmer pace on course and that the jumps are in easier to remember lines was what drew me in. Otherwise I like the bright and pretty Jumper jumps.
LikeLike
This is such a great mindset and exactly how I look at eventing as well. Ameoba champions of the world unite haha!! 😉
LikeLike
Yes! Amoeba level for the win 🙂
LikeLike
ya know. sometimes it’s really hard to say WHY. why do we do this? why horses? why riding? why jumping?? all i really know is…. that it’s what i want to do haha. tho with that said, i like your reasoning above a lot, and it all makes a lot of sense! looking forward to following along with your and H’Appy’s journey in this crazy sport!
LikeLike
It’s a pretty cool feeling to be at the start of it all and looking down a path that takes a life time to learn. So many ways to grow and so many things to do along the way
LikeLike
A great thing about eventing is that it is so hard to do well in three phases on one day that ribbons can become unimportant. Set your own goals to measure your success and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing in your division. Then find peeps to cheer you on!
LikeLike
Yeah I’m not a satin person and have thrown all my ribbons away over time. The shows for me are more about testing all those skills out and enjoying new venues to ride at.
LikeLike
Great post. I am also so very happy to see Waggy doing well! I was wondering how she was doing.
LikeLike
Getting better. The foot is still facing the wrong direction most of the time but each month brings progress so we remain hopeful
LikeLike
I evented as a teenager and I loved it!! Now I am too old and with two hips replaced eventing is not sensible for me. So …not why eventing for you but why not?
LikeLike
Exactly! Why not give it a go?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just wanted to chime in and say that things in the endurance world are definitely “different” in the SE region. It’s pretty appalling. The people who moved your stuff keep popping up in my life, and all I have to say is that you’re not the only one who thinks poorly of them and their lack of manners…
LikeLike
It was pretty shocking how terrible the people behaved. If I went with friends and formed a bubble it was ok because I was shielded from most of it. But I went alone a lot and ugh. Never again.
LikeLike
I think eventing across the board is a great community. Here too, everyone is friendly and supportive. I have met some really lovely people eventing. Other sports not so much, and it makes me sad. And you’re right, it doesn’t matter what level you do, it’s still eventing!
LikeLike
It is such a hard sport that there seems little time to be petty with others.
LikeLike
I love eventing and agree there’s no shortage of room for everyone with all sorts of goals. Plus, most everyone is so damn nice and encouraging. You definitely *don’t* need multiple trainers, though- I thought you did, and had a separate dressage trainer, but once I decided to stick with Trainer B, everything across the board (including dressage) improved immensely. I also only have one set of tack for all 3 phases (because I just can’t bring myself to saddle shop), and it’s been fine.
The great thing about your/our area is there are plenty of unrecognized HTs that cost way less than USEA events. More money = more horse trial entries!
I can’t wait for your first event with H!
LikeLike
I’m hoping our eventual debut is fun. That’s all I really want. Super excited to start with this trainer. She has a foundation in dressage but also does eventing.
LikeLike
There are assholes and amazing people in every disciplines (and sometimes nice people turn to assholes, and assholes turn into decent people.) And ‘Keeping up with the Jonses’ happens in all disciplines as well – I’ve known a lot of ultra consumerist eventers as much as any H/J rider!
I’m really sorry that you dealt with such awful endurance people in your area but I’m glad you found a discipline that suits your desires and that you’ll find fulfillment!
LikeLike
For now it seems to suit. My ultimate goal is to get back to R&T once the kiddo is more self sufficient
LikeLike