I ride every day.
In the cold.
In the rain.
In the heat.
In the dark.
Even when I worked 10 hour days 42 days in a row, I got up in the morning and rode before work.
Here’s hoping I NEVER have to work like that again!
It’s always been a bit of a badge of honor for me. Oh you want to ride? But you didn’t ride because it was raining?
So …………..you want to ride, but only in nice weather? That means you don’t really want to ride.
Me? Oh yeah, I rode in the rain. Yep.
OK, I’m a total snob about the fact that I want to ride and I actually do it.
But yesterday something happened.
I was having a jump lesson, and I screwed up. Imagine that……….Hello…….Bad Eventer here!
And I got a bit of a talking to.
Of course, I’m thinking, “but I’m BAD at this sport. Haven’t you read my blog?”
And the comment was, “Actually, you’re quite good…….. but you lack discipline.”
WHAAAAAAT??!!
Of course the fact that anyone who has jumped around a few 4 stars said I was “good” has never ever happened in my entire riding education. Of course I’m not sure I believe it………
But then he said, “Yes, you’re funny. But being Bad Eventer becomes an excuse………….”
Oh Wow.
I’ve never questioned my dedication. I’m proud of it.
It never occurred to me that I could be dedicated but not disciplined and that could be holding me back.
Now, let’s back up a few decades years. In college I wanted to go to the Rolex. I had Olympic dreams and I took my riding so seriously that I would literally spend the entire night before the show vomiting.
And no – alchohol was not involved.
And no – alchohol was not involved.
I believed my life depended on winning, and I ruined the entire competing experience by taking it FAR TOO SERIOUSLY.
Part of why I began Tales from a Bad Eventer was to TAKE MYSELF LESS SERIOUSLY.
Yeah, I suck at this. And that’s ok.
Yeah, I have big dreams (Rolex) but it’ll never happen, and that’s ok.
Yeah, I fell off at the event AGAIN, and that’s ok.
I managed to find joy in competitions. I entertained……thanks to my embarrassments, I took the pressure off, started having fun, and stopped puking in the start box.
Those are all good things.
But maybe…..somehow along the way, I started accepting my “bad riding” instead of fixing it.
I have to find that happy in between where I’m not throwing up, but I’m not accepting mediocrity.
All the pieces of the puzzle………..
My new goal: No excuses……. while still having fun……………
and slowly but surely becoming
and slowly but surely becoming
Bad Ass Eventer!
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Due to overwhelming requests, 85 “Bad Ass Eventer” products have been added to the shop!
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I love this! Bad eventer to badass eventer. Please don't lose your sense of humor in the transition, because I think it is fantastic.
Heck YEAH! Own it, sister!
Love this!
Haha! I love this! Go get em! We will see you at Rolex someday!
Love it! You've gotta make some new t-shirts though.
By Request! 85 BadAss Eventer products have been added to the shop. http://www.cafepress.com/badeventer
Yay!!!!!
This is great! I love your blog and have been reading it for a little while now. It takes a ton of discipline to ride in less-than-ideal conditions, but good luck all the same in your transition to badass eventer!
Love this
Love this! So true, and really you are already badass, so here's to being 'even more bad ass eventer!'
yessss!!! ugh i'm pretty much the worst at discipline unless there's someone there literally walking me through every step. it's a very fixable problem tho!
I was hoping you would come to this conclusion eventually. We are what we call ourselves. To be a good eventer…believe you are a good eventer!
Anyone who has jumped around a 1* is not a bad eventer although you will always be Bad Eventer!
There is nothing wrong with riding only in good weather. For someone like me who keeps my horses at home and doesn't compete I ride to have fun, not to reach any goal or be ready for a show. Why would I ride in the freezing cold rain and be miserable then? Just different priorities for different people. It doesn't mean we are any less dedicated or want to ride any less. We just have different goals. I show my dedication in being out there rain or shine to care for my horses since I don't board. Not arguing, just voicing a different opinion/perspective. With your dedication I have no doubt you can become bad ass eventer!! Keep up the great work!