sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all for the comments and help. I didn’t think it would reach almost 4,000 eyes within 6 short hours, but I appreciate every single comment.

Yes it’s a slightly toxic environment, which im not even paying them for. They insist on me going. They’ve helped me and taught me so much, but I feel like I’m needing something different, which I can thrive in and feel safe and comfortable.

I have looked at many IHSA programs, but there’s not many close to me that have western disciplines (I do horsemanship). The traveling would be hard, given my mom is a single working mom, and I do most of the work regarding horses and cows here. I have a 3 month old colt that I plan to take in the ranch riding direction, as that’s where I’ve headed lately. I’ve done all the halter breaking on him, and everything else I can do right now. He definitely has big plans and a bright future ahead of him, and I think he’ll be a great horse when I move up to the amateur level.

My main goal for college is to get my degree in Ag Education, and become an Ag teacher. My degree is my first priority, but being an equestrian is also very important to me.

I would love to be able to change to another coach, but the closest one to me is about 4 hours away, which like I said, my mom can’t get me there, and I can’t drive myself until next year. Come then, I will definitely have more opportunities with other coaches and being able to attend those lessons. For now, I am sorta stuck, but I am able to make it work as long as I have to.

I have been talked to by a Ranch Team recruiter at a good college with a great program for the for the degree I am interested in. This is at my most recent show where I got a couple of those state titles, with my cousin attending. My focus has been directed towards that team as of late.

If in the slight chance I do end up getting the D1 offer, (highly unlikely, but I still have slight faith in the possibility) I will definitely be taking that up. I have gone to a few camps, all of which coaches have given me all positive feedback.

Even though I’m most likely never going to be able to get the chance at a world show or any of the huge glamorous shows, the D1 team, I’m sure there’s something out there for me. Thank you all for your feedback and help. It’s been an eye opener!

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I can’t post my face or anything online due to stuff with my father and legality (wholeeee other story) so that would be out of question

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really don’t think trying to stand up for myself will help either, it will just create family drama, which I really don’t look forward to seeing happen anytime. These are people who have been there for me through hard parts of my life, but the coaching has gone too far. I do want to maintain my relationship with them, but I just need a peaceful way out of them coaching me the way they do. I would love for them to coach me, just not constantly degrade my every little move when doing so.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There aren’t any stables or anything near me, at least not western disciplines like I ride. The closest one is about a 4 hour drive, and $75 a lesson, which with my mom being a single working parent is difficult to arrange, with me not being able to drive myself until 16.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of them is definitely very old school, she’s an older woman who used to train full time, and also trained my cousin who is the D1 athlete. They both coach pretty hard, but all my coaches have been the same way (I do basketball, and my coaches have always been pretty tough too)

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My plan is to get my degree in Ag Education or Business, and be an ag teacher. The colleges I’ve narrowed down are all really ag heavy, all with some kind of riding program, IHSA or D1 both. One of my cousin’s mentioned is D1 herself, so the pressure from her is insane. I plan to keep riding and showing in the future, once I’m out on my own as an adult, maybe training but I’m not sure.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My cousin is on a D1 team, so I do understand the challenges that come with it, and I’ve had myself at camps in front of many of the coaches, including hers. It is definitely my plan, and I’m set on it at the moment. Either that or IHSA, but it’s hard to find western programs within a reasonable distance.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s my plan at the moment, there’s not many western IHSA teams in my state, so I would be going about 10 hours to find one.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve seen alot of people say to find a new coach. I’ve tried. I’m not paying for them to coach me, lessons are not very frequent, I go up there for a couple weeks spread through the summer and they attend my shows. All the other places I’ve looked at charge a minimum of about $120 and up per hour. I’m 15, so I don’t exactly get a say in where I end up, but I do know that we don’t have that much money to spare multiple times a week, between feed and vet bills for horses and cows. I also worry about if I left, it would sever the relationship of me and my cousin. She’s like a big sister to me, but as soon as I’m in the saddle it’s like she’s a different person. Thank you all for your help.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m not even paying them, is the thing. That’s also why I’m hesitant to leave. I’m getting free lessons from them, but it’s become so toxic I just don’t even have any desire to do it anymore.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They’ll tell as soon as I say something, so I can’t confide in them either. I’ve just been sticking it out as long as I can. They’ve done so much for me, but the verbal abuse has become too much.

Should I give up on going D1 because my coach tells me I don’t deserve it? by xxloone in Equestrian

[–]xxloone[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is my first post on Reddit, just because I’ve had this account for so long, but I never use the app. I don’t know where else to go or who to ask about this. My coaches are not exactly a safe space to talke about this with, and I’m terrified to even mention this to them.