So i moved to portugal a few years back, and since then i have been accepted into the Equestrian Team of Coimbra (Portugal's 3rd biggest city). This means me and my team compete either as a team or induvidually at competitions and events to represent our city and region. This is amazing and i am so so greatful that i got accepted because it truly has changed my life horse-wise.

In Portugal, similar to other countries, we have sort of riding text/exam things that we do. Before moving here i had allready done my BHS Exams in the UK, which long story short allready got me a "bronze stirrup" in horse riding over here (you have bronze, silver and gold). This is all fine and dandy and i know my stuff when it comes to breed, colours, tack, hygene, riding, bla bla. But. In my native language. English.

Now don't get me wrong, i speak portugese fairly well. Like i can very confidently say that i am quite good at it. However I never really learnt properly about the more detailed parts of ortugese equestrian vocab. Sure i know the basics, words for tack and grooming items, essentials. But i'm having a super hard time learning words for things like colours.

for example.

For a plain white/gray horse, they will either call it Branco (white) or Russo (which technically translates to the word Russian but like apparently it also means a white or gray horse) and i have NO CLUE which one to put on this up and coming "silver stirrup" exam i have.

It may seem easy, but oh boy.

its not.

its 20 or so pages with questions about everything from specific parts of tack, muscular anatomy, dental structure, hoof parts, ALL breeds, colours, and types of horse, stabling and arenas, movements in the arena, and theory on dressage, showjumping and crosscountry.

Which is all fine apart from the fact that im gonna have to relearn EVERYTHING in Portugese.

In one week. Thats right, i have one week to study it all.

We also have to learn a dressage test and we are doing a showjumping course, both which are being judged. (this isnt so difficult but it adds largely to the stress.)

so you can imagine me freaking out over this and spending every last minute of my time between working, having 4 equines, training and everything, on studying for this stupid test.

might sound like im a terrible rider and horsewoman for not allready knowing this, but imagine you were born, say, russian, then you went to live in mexico then you had to RELEARN EVERYTHING you had ever learned about something in the space of a week.

sorry for the ranty rant, but stress.

Ironclad Roan Estate said:

Do you have a team mate that is also taking the test, who could help you learn the proper vocab?

Mediterranean said:

Ironclad Roan Estate said:

Do you have a team mate that is also taking the test, who could help you learn the proper vocab?

Yeah, I think your best bet is to get someone to help you. Don't try to do this all by yourself

Thistleberry Farm said:

wish me all the luck for tomorrow my dudes >.<

i feel partially prepared but ill probably just wing it and hope for the fucking best