Although I’d like to spend some time riding indoors this winter, I do remember the challenges. Unless you ride at “off” times, riding in your barn’s indoor is a bit like navigating Route 128 at rush hour. Busy and slow.
What’s worse? The dressage queen who is sure she has the right of way? Or the beginner who simply can’t steer, or who isn’t old enough to drive, so doesn’t have the “left to left” sensibility drilled into them.
So, I’m just hoping for one of my own :).
I’d rather navigate around beginners than the people who are sure they have the right of way!
I’ve seen a few collisions and many near misses . . . I didn’t mention the riders jumping fences, but that also can add another dimension of challenge. Nothing like someone yelling “Oxer” and then trying to figure out if you are in the way.
I love the christmas message…..!! The folks at my current barn are, for the most part, all well mannered and courteous. we all try to get along and share. A covered arena in a Pacific Northwest winter is priceless and openings are rare: you’re lucky to find an opening. Most of us are mature enough…and courteous enough..to understand what a blessing it is. But we have had a few people who refused to 1. share 2. pick up her horse’s manure 3. was unwilling to admit that her horse had ‘issues’ (like the mare who attacked any other mare who dared enter the arena!!!) While our barnlord can be a PITA at times, it IS her facility and she runs a tight ship. She has a waiting list for stalls. All it takes is two or three infractions for those women who are divas, selfish jerks, or unwilling to play together nicely to be ‘allowed to leave’.