I started horseback riding when I was around 13? and Im 17 now and Im just frustrated seeing where I am vs so many other people my age. Finding a good barn has been hell.
Barn #1: Went for one lesson, I cant remember why I didnt continue to go
Barn #2: The instructor was too harsh and Id want to cry sometimes
Barn: #3 Would cancel lessons and not tell us until we were at the barn and found out that she wasnt there
Barn #4: Didnt advance there whatsoever
Barn #5: Too harsh on showing and would tell me I was too big riding a 16hh 1000 lb thoroughbred (I'm 5'3 and weigh light enough that I have ridden 11.2hh and 13hh ponies JUST fine at other barns) The type of instructors to make kids cry in lessons
Barn #6: Would keep stallions in their stall 24/7 that got cleaned ONCE A WEEK. I liked riding there, but the barn wasnt sanitary
Barn #7: My most recent barn. Didn't advance there either. We would do plain walk, trot, and canter around the ring. I found my new love of welsh ponies there( the 13hh pony I mentioned above). Barn drama happened and the instructor left the barn. Supposedly she stole horses too and talked about people behind their backs
I've been riding for 4 years (with breaks in between) and I can only do walk, trot (sitting and rising), canter, and jump up to 40 cm. I know everyone progresses at their own pace and its okay to, but I want to be successful in the horse world. I feel like I can get there if I find the right barn. I want the life of the people you see on social media winning medals, ribbons, all with this talent. I know its not all glamor and theres a bad side to it, but its got to be better than this. Ive thought about trying other disciplines, but most barns here are hunter jumper. Just want to get this off my chsst