Yay there are riders who ski here!

[Christy]

And what a location for the dressage !!

I'm just kicking myself for not going. I love Paris, I love the Olympics, and if I'd realized that events would be held in historic venues like Versailles (!), Place de la Concorde, etc, PLUS if I knew how amazing the opening ceremony would be...

 

[AJM]

I'm just kicking myself for not going. I love Paris, I love the Olympics, and if I'd realized that events would be held in historic venues like Versailles (!), Place de la Concorde, etc, PLUS if I knew how amazing the opening ceremony would be...

I know its been incredible, how amazing that the dressage was held at Versaille .... I mean that is next level

 

[NYCSkier]

So glad to discover this thread. I have owned and showed horses (adult amateur hunter discipline) for years. The picture is of me on my current horse (German Holsteiner) “Levi” at WEF. I live in NYC and it’s always a challenge deciding between skiing trips with the husband/friends vs horse showing in Florida! I would love to connect with anyone living in the NYC area that both skis and rides!

 

[Christy]

Levi is GORGEOUS.

 

[AJM]

What @Christy said, he is stunning

 

[NYCSkier]

Thank you! And he is such a sweet and tolerant horse who constantly forgives my frequent mistakes made on him as a rider!

 

[jenniferm]

So glad to discover this thread. I have owned and showed horses (adult amateur hunter discipline) for years. The picture is of me on my current horse (German Holsteiner) “Levi” at WEF. I live in NYC and it’s always a challenge deciding between skiing trips with the husband/friends vs horse showing in Florida! I would love to connect with anyone living in the NYC area that both skis and rides!
View attachment 23587

I'm just kicking myself for not going. I love Paris, I love the Olympics, and if I'd realized that events would be held in historic venues like Versailles (!), Place de la Concorde, etc, PLUS if I knew how amazing the opening ceremony would be...

This is such a great idea nyHunter, ladies who do expensive and aggravating sports like skiing and riding have a lot in common!

 

[Christy]

I'm finally riding again--I was a 250 person waiting list at a stable near Seattle (there's hardly any left if you want instruction but don't have your own horse). The last couple times my instructor let me ride her fancy warmblood dressage horse who is 18.1 (!!!) hands tall. I've never in my life ridden a horse that big. Even tacking up requires a level of cooperation on his part as he has to lower his head considerably to be bridled. I'm barely 5'5" so his withers are quite a bit above me. Luckily he's a good boy.

 

[contesstant]

I'm finally riding again--I was a 250 person waiting list at a stable near Seattle (there's hardly any left if you want instruction but don't have your own horse). The last couple times my instructor let me ride her fancy warmblood dressage horse who is 18.1 (!!!) hands tall. I've never in my life ridden a horse that big. Even tacking up requires a level of cooperation on his part as he has to lower his head considerably to be bridled. I'm barely 5'5" so his withers are quite a bit above me. Luckily he's a good boy.

18.1?!! I've seen some 17 handers and been on some 16.2 handers, but 18.1! How do you even saddle it?

Also, not having a horse has added significantly to my seasonal depression and overall lesser mood for the past several years. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[Christy]

18.1?!! I've seen some 17 handers and been on some 16.2 handers, but 18.1! How do you even saddle it?

Also, not having a horse has added significantly to my seasonal depression and overall lesser mood for the past several years. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

I have to lift the saddle kind of high, that's for sure. And when I swing my leg over the saddle to dismount, and slide down, I keep inching down...and down...it takes longer to find the ground.

I hear ya, I really missed horses and I hope I can keep riding here. It's a lot more expensive than it used to be (duh) and I'm pretty sure my little federal contracting business is kaput, so this is a luxury for sure.

 

[contesstant]

I have to lift the saddle kind of high, that's for sure. And when I swing my leg over the saddle to dismount, and slide down, I keep inching down...and down...it takes longer to find the ground.

I hear ya, I really missed horses and I hope I can keep riding here. It's a lot more expensive than it used to be (duh) and I'm pretty sure my little federal contracting business is kaput, so this is a luxury for sure.

LOL yes, that's a long way down!

 

[Skidreamer]

Oh, my lord, Levi is indeed stunning!!! And Christy, 18.1 hands is ginormous! They are often gentle giants though - thankfully.

Well, my 2 horses and daughter's pony are enjoying retirement on the smaller farm my mum bought last year. She went from 120 very remote acres to 16 acres just outside a lovely little rural town, here in Australia. My anglo arab is 24 and my thoroughbred is 19.

Now I have more time and money for... skiing!!! And travel! I tried very hard to get tickets for the Paris Olympics but missed out. But I was there a week or so before the Olympics started, so that was my consolation prize. You can see the Olympic grandstand in the distance...

 

[ski now work later]

I'm finally riding again--I was a 250 person waiting list at a stable near Seattle (there's hardly any left if you want instruction but don't have your own horse). The last couple times my instructor let me ride her fancy warmblood dressage horse who is 18.1 (!!!) hands tall. I've never in my life ridden a horse that big. Even tacking up requires a level of cooperation on his part as he has to lower his head considerably to be bridled. I'm barely 5'5" so his withers are quite a bit above me. Luckily he's a good boy.

250 person wait list? Wow!

 

[Christy]

250 person wait list? Wow!

There's just not many places left around here. They've either been developed into suburban neighborhoods, or they only offer lessons/training if you are a horse owner and are part of their training program. I talked to a couple of places that said they don't have school horses but that they might be able to accommodate me if I committed to lessons twice per week and showing, which I don't want to do. Basically some trainers don't want to waste their time with someone that doesn't want to show.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I don't ride any longer after having to put down two horses in rapid succession (one old age and one injury). At that point I decided to focus on a sport that won't break my heart --- hence, a return to skiing at age 50.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Basically some trainers don't want to waste their time with someone that doesn't want to show.

Very true here in Virginia too. Showing is where/how they make their money.

 

[contesstant]

View attachment 24613View attachment 24613I don't ride any longer after having to put down two horses in rapid succession (one old age and one injury). At that point I decided to focus on a sport that won't break my heart --- hence, a return to skiing at age 50.

I can so relate. Still, nothing replaces the living, breathing goofiness of a horse. I miss mine SO much.

 

[NYCSkier]

I can so relate. Still, nothing replaces the living, breathing goofiness of a horse. I miss mine SO much.

View attachment 24613View attachment 24613I don't ride any longer after having to put down two horses in rapid succession (one old age and one injury). At that point I decided to focus on a sport that won't break my heart --- hence, a return to skiing at age 50.

I am so very sorry to read this. I do feel your pain and loss regarding your horses. And I understand the heartbreak that comes with riding. I too have had to either sell or retire a number of horses, for various reasons. Sale, usually because the horse was wonderful but not the right partner for me. Retirement, usually because of an injury or just because it was time to let the horse just be a horse without any performance demands. Skiing is great - and as someone who is relatively new to skiing, I am finding that there are some benefits from riding that carry over to skiing, especially a sense of balance. However, in skiing, the “equipment” doesn’t have an “opinion”, unlike an equine partner! And I love the partnership with a horse. I hope in time you will find your way back to horses, if and when it should make sense for your to do so.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Luckily @NYCSkier , I have retained my horsey friends, so I can get a "fix" whenever I need one. As I near retirement I probably don't need TWO expensive hobbies, so I'll live vicariously and visit friends' barns to love on their sweet "heeses."

 

[Skidreamer]

I don't ride any longer after having to put down two horses in rapid succession (one old age and one injury). At that point I decided to focus on a sport that won't break my heart --- hence, a return to skiing at age 50.

They do break our hearts, don't they. I hope my guys can enjoy several more years of retirement on the family farm. Here they are keeping mum's lawn down...