Any other Equestrians Here?

[LivetoRide]

I started cycling in '09 to compliment the horseback riding I do, due to them using some of the same muscles, and in short, cycling has evolved into another one of my passions. Unfortunately, they are both very much money and time sucking!

So, any other equestrians here? What type of riding do you do? Do you own a horse?

I myself mainly do dressage but have dabbled in jumpers and eventing as well. I'm the proud owner an OTTB gelding who's in the past year and a half had some on-going lameness problems (kind of like what I'm going through with my knee and cycling ). My horse's chronic lameness problems really sparked my interest in possibly going the animal science / pre-vet route in college in the next couple of years so we shall see. Oh, and I'm a bit of a COTH fanatic.

[LivetoRide]

Hi! Yeah, I'm glad I found cycling too! How did you get started in cycling and riding horses?

When I do/did jump, I too would always keep the jumps low; the highest single fence I've done is only 3'3" and I don't really care to ever repeat it!

I quite enjoy dressage myself; Most are surprised that just occasionally cross training with dressage will really help improve ones' jumping through working on responsiveness, and the rider's seat and feel but it really does help. And although I've never tried saddle seat, I don't think it'd be my cup of tea either!

I really thought there would be more riders on here since riding and cycling to compliment each other but I guess not!

[tulip]

I used to ride. I started when I was 6 years old and was a typical horse-crazy little girl. I took lessons for years and showed hunter-jumper on other people's horses. I begged for a horse, of course, and I finally got one when I was 14 years old. While I enjoyed it immensely, it was a ton of work even though I was able to keep him at home (lived in the country). By the time I was 15, I took my first bike tour through France and my interests were shifting to bikes. I sold the horse when I went to college, and then got into bike racing.

That was all eons ago, but I have been riding bikes ever since. I haven't been on a horse in decades.

[kermit]

Another former horse chick here, was heavily into the hunter/jumper scene. I got my first horse after college, a 3 year old off the track, 17 hands and a big baby. After scores of serious injuries I discovered that bikes are a lot cheaper. I do miss it and still visit circuit, don't miss the expense though. I remember when I was riding all the time having to get shots in my lower back for my broken back (horse related) I actually bent the doctors needle. Nothing else is like riding a horse, biking is close.

[LivetoRide]

Tulip- Horses certainly keep you busy, that's for sure! I'm fortunate enough to live in a small college town surrounded by farms so I'm able to affordably board my horse about fifteen minutes from home by car (or a 10 mile bike ride)-- but even then my horse still will keep me very busy!

Kermit- Ouch! Hope your back healed up well and that you no longer have any trouble with it (back problems are awful). Fortunately, I've yet to take a spill and get any serious injuries (worst was probably smashing my elbow into a jump rail).

[ehirsch83]

Me
Up until recently it was my profession... I just turned down an assistant trainer job with one of the top jumper barns because it meant I would have to give up my bike.

I took another job back in the aviation field and am desperately missing the horses. My hours aren't allowing me to get out and ride the horses at all right now I own part of a green medium pony that I need to be working to sell...
I either need to make more money so I can have a horse(but I hold my pro status so I can't just go show as an ammy) or I need to get back into it as a profession... But I wish I could find something where I could take 1-2 weekends a month off to go race my bike... that is what i'm searching for, oh if i ever find it life will be great!

[LivetoRide]

Ehirsch83- I know how you feel; there's just not enough time for everything! And it's possible to get your ammy status back for when you find time again for horses/showing. I don't know much about it other than reading about it on COTH (Chronicle of the Horse forum) but you can always call/email USEF for more info on the subject. I [I]think[I] it takes about a year of participating in no pro activities to get it back, so if you want it back, it is possible. And surely there's a job somewhere out there that would give you some time to race...I hope you find it!