What makes you competitive in showing Horses?

I'm driven to prove that I can do it. I love horses more than anything and have spent my entire life around them, but I come from a less than wealthy family and have been a working student for a long time to afford my lessons. Finally, two years ago, I raised enough money to buy a horse, but he's not the kind of fancy horse that competes in the classes I do - he's a Quarter Horse that I bought very green, had only ever been ridden Western. I trained him to jump, and now we compete in Level 3 jumpers after only two years. I'm competitive because I want to prove that money isn't everything - I'm not galloping a $100,000 imported Warmblood around these courses, I'm galloping my $1,500 handtrained QH around, and I can do just as well as anyone else on those fancy horses - actually, the last show I did I was Champion :)

SO thats me.

The desire to improve as a rider, and since my horse is green, to become a better team with him. I'm also pretty competitive, so it sure does feel great to win a large or difficult course. What calms me down? I suppose my dad. He's always at my shows to support me. My horse too. Whenever I have a bad day, being with him makes me feel better. I suppose its just like any other sport. Your team is there for you.

i am super competitive, it can be kind of bad. one of my 'friends' was showing against me in a class, and it was really full. i was on the rail, and she cut me off while we were cantering! she has a paint mare, and i have a quarter gelding, and she pinched his nose between the rail and her mares butt! i yelled at her in the class, but it was windy so the judge didn't hear :)

its bad, but in my head, i judge everyone at the show, even if they aren't in my class, and i size them up in my head. to calm me down... i listen to music, i work with my horse, and make him perfect, that is really the best way to keep me from freaking out.

i was at a show this year, and i usually don't sleep to well the night before, so i was already stressed. but i couldn't find my hoof black! i was looking every where, and my dad had left to go get his papers, and my mom was in the bathroom/signing me up, so i was on my own. i actually almost started crying i was so stressed.

but yeah, im crazy :) but i love showing, and everything that goes with it!!

my sister, dad, trainer, and mom are always there for me. Im very competitive also. I go to a huge AQHA show about every other weekend and stay for a week or so at each show. In a week im goin to the Youth Worlds for AQHA and staying for a week. my sis qualified in 5 classes and i qualified in just 1-WP :D

The love of horses and being around them made me start riding, and when I got better I started jumping, and I liked it, and kept getting better, then I would start going on competition, it makes you proud when you won something.

Hope I helped...

First the love for the horses, then the drive to do great! The feeling of you did it! As for me, because I trained my horse. We did it as a partnership!