Positive people

[yanny]

Hey Dalesfans. I haven't posted on here for awhile, just because I've been busy, but I have been keeping an eye on the updates!
today I've had a good insight into how positive people and attitudes can help life so much.
Me and my family haven't had the easiest of years in 2015 (not gonna go into any details but this has definitely been one of the worst years of my life)  and my two gorgeous geldings have been the rays of sunshine for me who have made my life worth living this year. 
People on here may or may not know that my main occupation is to do with music. I am in a band and today I played a gig in my band in a local pub.  I usually sing but due to a XC accident i broke my orbital bone on Thursday, and I'm not allowed to sing, and have a terrible black/swollen eye!  A kind lady greeted me after our band's set, she asked what had happened (she had met me at my first dressage test In March this year and remembered me and my boyfriend). After telling her the story, she simply replied "you've had a great time then! And you love your pony! That's all that matters!"
for a change, (the usual replies I get are; horses are a waste of money, too dangerous, don't try XC it's stupid, etc etc) I felt inspired, I felt I should keep trying and that finally someone realised I was riding for the right reason; for FUN! 
Sadly, not many people seem to ride for fun anymore, especially where I live. Some people have said to me, don't bother competing if you won't win because it's too much trouble if you don't win so not worth it,
0r don't do dressage on my horse because he's an arab and you shouldn't do DR on an Arab (bear In mind this was a prelim, local Unaffiliated DR event with many a first time rider and horse combo, inc.
many cobs, TB's and native ponies...of which NONE Were "meant" to do DR on, as far as I know only warmbloods were meant to do DR on?!)
sorry for the rant but confidence has been knocked lately, as I fell from Cuba doing an XC lesson and had these nasty people commenting about us doing dressage... I hope that everyone being dalesfans can sympathise (I know Cal has done Dressage in the past, again, not a DR bred pony by any means!!!)
btw me and the Cube did come in 3rd place!!!

[valerie n scout]

Oh that does sound like a rough time you've been having but I think as long as you are enjoying what your doing then blow the rest..oh in a band wow, must tell Richy he's learning guitar he'll be green with envy x

[colmworthdales]

What a tough time you have been having Yanny. Keep strong and go with your gut feelings and I can guaratnee you will have more enjoyment and a longer commitment from your own animals than your so-called 'friends' with their smart outfits and expensive horses.

Impressed you are in a band - hope you can be back singing soon and your face soon goes back to normal. I take it there will not be any of those 'selfies' posted on here then for a few days.

Keep on with the dressage - it is so good for you and the ponies and with a bit of encouragement from us Dalesfans and many other real friends, sure you will be out competing again soon. Try a different venue away from the warmblood types. Will you be at the Midland Show (as I think you are from that area, but I may be wrong).

[nedales]

Oh Yanny----orbital fracture-- that IS a massive black eye and sure to get a lot of responses. My son had one from being hit with a baseball and a friend recently had one from being hit in the eye by a hoof aiming at a horsefly. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch.
It is so hard equating what makes it worth it to take part in what can be hazardous sport. My sense of it has always been, as long as you are having fun and you take sensible safety precautions, go for it.

My pony and I did a 3 phase today where we definitely felt we were odd pony out as everyone else was tall and leggy, while we were, ummm... hairy.
At dressage warm-up one of those in the 99.9% was cantering near me and my boy when her horse spooked a little bit. Of course mine being a Dales, he was unimpressed so we were able to stick by her while the other fancy types scattered, shaking their own riders with leaps and bucks. She came unstuck but insisted on hanging on to the reins, which left her lying on the ground being dragged by her horse who started kicking-hard. I had to yell at her to let go the reins as she was surely about to be kicked in the head--or the orbital socket--and thankfully she did let go, my Lad (who loves cattle penning) caught her horse, and she remounted. I asked her if she was okay and she said yes, got her dressage face on and trotted into the arena. Color me mightily impressed. Saw her later after cross country, when she thanked me for speaking up earlier and I asked how she was feeling. "I feel well enough to ride, know I likely shouldn't be but overall what a marvelous day I've had!" was her answer. She said she was headed home soon, would have a hot bath, a warm drink and possibly take a couple of days 'off'. " Falling off happens--but it happens to warmblood riders as well.

I think if we listened to the well meaning, we'd likely stay huddled in bed. I guess I'd say to those who think we should knit instead, "No worries, we're fine, we're having fun--you remember --fun?" Hope your band gigs can wait for you to jiggle that eye--and take the time it needs to heal. And well done on the third!

[harveydales]

Oh yanny , sorry to hear what a time you've been going through. I do hope you're not in too much pain. Sounds awful. As far as I'm concerned, enjoying your ponies is the important thing, not competition results. I'm as happy coming bottom in a class so long as harvey has enjoyed it too. I think many seriously competitive types are missing out on a lot. Just enjoy whatever you are doing with your ponies. ☺

Sent from my Nexus 10 using proboards

[dalesnfellfan]

I quite agree, for me it's all about having fun and enjoying our ponies, what's the point of competing or even riding if you don't enjoy it, it's not about the winning and so what if you haven't got the 'right' horse for dressage, or any other discipline as long as you both enjoy it.

I hope you're feeling better soon, sounds painful, keep your chin up and carry on doing what you enjoy. I had an awful year last year but I'm enjoying life and my riding again this year, hopefully it will be the same for you.