| Over the years I have noticed a situation that | | | | showing without some real measured level of |
| develops much to often. That is the problem of | | | | success. These are simply the cold hard |
| burn out on the part of the rider. How often have | | | | facts.What I am advocating is a return to those |
| we known someone who started riding, and at | | | | things that first held our interest. I do not feel it is |
| some point decided to pursue a particular discipline | | | | necessary to abandon the interest in a particular |
| to the exclusion of any other activity involving | | | | discipline. Instead, think of it as adding to, |
| horses. I am sure you have encountered this just | | | | expanding, or enhancing your fundamental interest |
| as I have.The sad part is that it doesn't need to | | | | in horses and riding. Don't allow yourself to |
| happen. Think back to when you first began to | | | | become so absorbed by something to the |
| ride. You, just like I, enjoyed doing almost | | | | exclusion of everything else. We must protect |
| anything you could imagine on horseback. | | | | ourselves from becoming burned out by |
| Remember the trail rides, those days at the barn | | | | overkill.Enjoy to the fullest those aspects of riding |
| that never seem to have enough hours in them, | | | | that really hold your interest, but maintain a |
| all the new friends, and what about the different | | | | balance. That balance is the key. Remember, the |
| shows you were so excited to attend. It didn't | | | | more you limit yourself, the sooner the decline will |
| matter what kind of show it was. It had horses | | | | begin. I don't mean to suggest that we are all |
| and that was all that mattered.Somehow a lot of | | | | domed, I am merely trying to bring your attention |
| riders got side tracked. By that I mean they | | | | to a possibility which could arise for some, if we |
| reached a point where they became enthralled | | | | as a group do not address it.I would suggest that |
| with a particular discipline. Now I m not saying that | | | | we look for opportunities to expand our activities |
| there is anything wrong with having a real desire | | | | rather than limit them. Suggest that trail ride, get |
| to excel in any of these specialties. What I am | | | | a group together and go watch a show in a |
| trying to highlight is the total exclusion of the vary | | | | completely different discipline, not to criticize but |
| things that attracted us all to riding in the first | | | | to learn, find one of those stable tours. I think |
| place. Now I know there are those who really | | | | you get the idea. Start expanding your exposure |
| enjoy being completely immersed in one aspect | | | | and take along some friends and most of all relax, |
| of riding. However, I do believe they are not the | | | | learn, and enjoy.You have permission to copy and |
| majority of those owning and riding horses. Far to | | | | reuse this article provided there are no changes |
| many times I have heard someone say, " I'm | | | | made to the article and credit is given to the |
| bored with horses, and selling out and taking up | | | | author and the link to his website remains in place. |
| golf". Others are going skiing or traveling or a | | | | Please notify him by email if you are going to use |
| myriad of other activities. Why is it that these | | | | this article. You may contact Bill Dunigan through |
| individuals are losing interest in riding while others | | | | his website: Dunigan has been teaching and |
| are almost fanatical about it?I have been riding, | | | | competing in excess of 40 years, to include many |
| competing and teaching for over forty years. | | | | riding disciplines. Over the years he has taught and |
| During that time I have had the opportunity to | | | | competed in Barrel Racing, Hunter/Jumper, |
| observe and listen to many comments from a | | | | Eventing and Dressage and served as President |
| wide variety of horse enthusiast. That's why I am | | | | of a local Dressage Association. Additionally, during |
| so concerned about what I am seeing. At a time | | | | this time, he Fox Hunted four days a week with |
| when Expos are packing in the spectators by the | | | | two different Hunt clubs, one of which he served |
| thousands, how can any of this be true.As I see | | | | as Joint Master. Bill qualified six years in a row for |
| it, the real problem is in the limitation of our | | | | the World Championships with the National Barrel |
| activities involving horses. Once we embark on a | | | | Horse Association. |
| path to focus on one discipline, unless we garner | | | | Most of his time is now spent teaching others to |
| an enormous amount of success, it's only a | | | | enjoy what they are doing with their horses, by |
| question of time before the discouragement sets | | | | understanding how and why the riding methods |
| in. While I do firmly believe that people are the | | | | and skills they use work the way that they do, |
| happiest when they are learning and progressing in | | | | and specifically why their horses act and/or react |
| some endeavor, few can sustain interest | | | | the way they do.When you have finished one of |
| indefinitely without some obvious success.Once an | | | | his clinics, you will have learned much more than |
| individual starts competing, things change. At that | | | | you thought possible in just two days. You will |
| moment you are thrust into a world of | | | | also realize how important it is to keep your |
| professionalism. It's tough out there. Then the real | | | | horse relaxed, along with the undeniable value of |
| costs kick in. It's very difficult for someone to | | | | slow work.You may contact him through his web |
| justify the enormous expenses incurred by | | | | site at: BarrelRacingClinic. |