Been a while since I last posted. Just been filling my diary in with all the years upcoming western events. Also adding Boyf's One Day Event dates- he competes at Novice level with his horses.

Felling pretty despondant because every single one of my western shows clashes with an event that he will be riding at (and that I will have to groom at). In addition I now have a WB gelding along with my appies so there is a chance for me to compete at Intro level too, or watch boyf competing him on my behalf.

I'm basically facing up to the fact that if I want to carry on with western (which I love) I have to carry on paying out for my Appies, lorry, equipment, entry fees, diesel- now really expensive as I have to travel from Scotland for each event down south and we only have 2 shows to go to in Scotland this year),stabling costs and my accommodation. This averages out to at least £300 per show.

In contrast I can compete locally in "English" riding on a weekly basis up here for far less money and less hassle.

I'm so torn. I had the most fantastic first season in Western riding, met such friendly people and enjoyed myself immensely- but can I really justify spending hundreds of pounds on only a few competitions each season?

What do you guys reckon? Has anyone else found that rising fuel costs, overnight stabling fees etc caused similar concerns?

Hi, How are you? (Laura with Nico/Exbury Ghost here!) Well my answer may be unfair as obviously I know a little background to your situation. The questions that immediately springs to mind are -

Do you enjoy "english" or eventing?
Would you event your WB yourself?
How competitive would you be? Does that matter to you?

For my money it is quite possible to event at Novice level without a groom, the question is do you think you "should" be there, I don't believe you "need" to be there.

With a seperate lorry, you should follow what YOUR dreams are - you are not reliant on D and I don't think he would expect you to give up what you want in order to groom for him. Put simply would you get more enjoyment out of grooming than you would out of competing?

I groom for Mark at the polo, but equally if I wanted to do something with muley, Mark would have to pay a groom for the day or play alternate chukkas - this wouldn't cause a domestic, the fact is I rarely do it as I enjoy the polo and muley is not that competitive!!!

Hope it all works out.

Hi Laura!

I do enjoy helping D out, especially as I now have Leo to follow too. D will be competing at least three horses this season and its difficult for him to do all the behind the scenes stuff on his own (plus his plaiting up isn't as good as mine)!

I think my big grumble is the cost of diesel etc to get to a limited few western shows each season all the way from Scotland, and the extra costs of running two lorries, horses etc.

Until very recently I never pictured myself eventing (too feardy)! but Leo and I have been really enjoying ourselves lately and it just seems to make sense to stay relatively local to keep costs down and still get lots of competing done.

That said, I will have to get Jazzelle to some shows for the experience. She's coming on in leaps and bounds and should get some trail and novice reining done.

Mind you- if a lot of the ODE's get cancelled again due to the weather then I'm laughing- I then get to use D as MY groom and chauffer!! (At least he doesn't have to plait up)!

Don't you ever feel a bit isolated as a western fan in the Borders? Maybe its just the cold wintery nights that are making me feel a bit grumpy. I keep looking at my new blingy show tops and feeling wistful! Now, BE wouldn't let me wear them in the dressage!

Post edited by: Ichired29, at: 2008/01/27 01:26

Diesel costs are horrific at the moment aren't they? - I know we havn't hunted as much this year because £50 a day on fuel really makes you wonder if its worth it!!

Well presuming D can't be convinced to go western which is the obvious solution I guess you've answered your own question - do a bit of both. ODE are not going to be cancelled this year because it is going to be glorious and dry all summer (starting now please!!)

Personally I'd keep your own wagon whatever you decide. I havn't even thought about going out anywhere this year, we'll do local jumping and I'm hoping muley will play a bit of polo eventually. At the moment we are struggling with the well known "killer ball - run away...." Roll on spring.