Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I have wanted to "get serious" about endurance for the last eight years... 
but life got in the way. Last year I thought I had the horse and the 
opportunity to make my official debut - so to speak - in endurance, but my 
horse had other ideas. In the meantime, I've had *lots* of time to ask 
questions, read, research, and observe.

First and most important lesson I've learned: Every Rider Must Define 
Success For Themselves. For some success is completion, for others it's a 
best condition, for others it's a first, for others it's simply a good time 
or any combination of the above. If you cannot "succeed" based on your 
situation and limitations of time or money or whatever, maybe your 
definition of success must be adjusted to fit your current circumstances. 
You can always adapt your definition as things change.

That said, if your idea of success is to finish in the top ten and be 
competitive, then in my very humble and inexperienced opinion, the people 
who finish consistently in the top ten don't necessarily have the most time 
and money to spend on the sport - though perhaps a few do - but they are the 
ones *willing to sacrifice the most* in order to "succeed" in the sport. If 
you want to compete at the FEI level, GO FOR IT. But realize that you MUST 
sacrifice other things to do so.

How do I fit my horses in with my time constraints and on a limited budget? 
Easy - I make them a priority. My children (luckily!) love horses and I can 
include them with my horse activities. My house is a mess - but my saddle 
and saddle pads are in my family room so I can clean them while the kids do 
their homework. My bridle and breastcollar hang from the coat hooks in the 
hall so I can grab them and go. Many meals are from the crock pot or a box 
because I just can't stand wasting an hour in the kitchen to make supper. We 
cut corners in our household budget anywhere we can - that way we can spend 
more on the horses. I wake up early and stay up late to fit in as much as 
possible in a day that's always too short. If I wanted to be a serious 
competitor, I could rush out and spend a fortune on a "ready made" horse, 
spend all my time training, and go for it - but I'm not willing to make the 
necessary sacrifices for that particular definition of success.

Someday - hopefully this year - I'll cross the line on a horse I gentled, 
trained, and conditioned myself and my family will be there to cheer. I'll 
feel like a winner - even if I'm the last one in.

Good luck with your goals,
Jen Adam

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