The beast at Stoneleigh Burnham
A couple weeks ago I called Microsoft Office and set up an account on my computer. I was having some trouble figuring out the logistics of my new email account so I called up customer service. Naturally I was transferred to someone whose primary language most certainly wasn’t English, but he helped me out just the same. I bet a lot of people have run into this very situation where you call up a company, or a company contacts you and the person on the other end is sitting somewhere in Delhi.
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people screaming at customer service. Don’t call me ever again…or, what do you mean my order hasn’t shipped yet? What I’m getting at is a lot of people can be disrespectful at times. It’s so easy to blame the poor middle man who acts as a liaison to whatever company they are representing. Furthermore, and maybe even more interesting is the type of person, or personality that can handle complete strangers yelling at them, even tormenting them on the other end. Different personality types are suited for various outlets in life.
I can’t help but think about the forty some odd competitors in the Advanced division at Millbrook this weekend. I chose this event because it’s relatively speaking in my neck of the woods and I had several friends competing there this weekend. It would have been interesting to quickly meet the forty plus competitors and ask them in five words or less to describe their personalities. How many of them would say they’re daredevils? How many would say they’re aggressive? How many would say they’re shy, or sweet or very kind?
Let’s be honest, it takes a certain personality type to be able to do the upper levels in this sport. I have no idea what it’s like to do the upper levels, but I have friends who compete above Prelim and I know the type of people they are. Arguably, it must take a certain level of “gutsiness” to basically put yourself into a seemingly dangerous and extremely risky position. A lot of riders can be seriously injured. Countless horses have been severely injured and of course there have been deaths, and yet they all keep going back for more!
I actually think that eventing lures in a certain type of person in general. The personality types may be all over the board when comparing beginner novice riders through advanced riders, but basically this sport draws in a certain type of person. Who is this person? Do you have to be an A through G type of personality if you have any hopes of competing (where A-G, even though completely fabricated represent the toughest of personalities)? Do you have to be overly angry, aggressive, and almost scary in order to go clean xc? Can really nice and sweet personalities make it to the top? I have no agenda here, nor am I asking any rhetorical questions. I really would love to know what types of personalities can make it to the top, and do you have to be a certain type to succeed?
Daryl Kinney and Union Station attacking their first intermediate together-GMHA 2012
This whole xc mentality concept has been in the front of my thoughts all summer. I am basically a non-confrontational person but I think I have an edge, otherwise I would be sitting by a fireplace knitting. If I had to describe my personality in five words or less I would say the following: adventurous, awkward, sarcastic, semi-daring, and competitive. Is this a recipe for upper levels in eventing? I have no clue. I have noticed that because the types of horses I am sitting on currently I need to step out of my normal self and reach way down and grab my alter ego in order to go clean xc. I need to almost become exasperated before leaving the start box. Even though being super aggressive and proactive isn’t second nature for me, I am more than pumped to explore this new side. I love competing and love all this life style has to offer, and if it means that I need to go to darker places before going xc, so be it!
Obviously the horses cannot be forgotten here. Eventing would be nothing if it weren’t for these amazing creatures we ask to do crazy things. I think a lot of this personality type discussion has to be taken with a grain of salt. I’m not saying you have to be a total maniac to be able to compete and to be able to go clean on xc. I also don’t think that really shy, nervous, or petrified personalities are best suited for this sport. I think eventing require a certain amount of GRRRRRRRRRRR, for a lack of a better expression. This sport also requires a tough skin, a daring personality and someone who is a thrill seeker. I don’t think it’s all or nothing when it boils down to your personality type, but I do think it starts with a certain amount of edge.
