Professional or Amateur

What is the difference, can you be both, what thoughts do you have about these titles??

Here is the ruling/description for an Amateur rider:

• – Article 255.1 Amateur Riders
  Must not have competed in an Olympic Games or World Equestrian Games in either
  Jumping or eventing
  In the past 10 years must not have competed in a World Cup for jumping or in a 4* 3 Day
  event.
  Must not have competed in Section 1 and 2 at a Royal Show in Sydney, Brisbane,
  Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth in the past two years
  Amateur riders may not compete in an Amateur class if they compete in any class where
  the first round is higher than 1.20m at that show
  Amateur riders may not compete in an Amateur class on a horse that will compete in any
  class where the first round is higher than 1.20m at that show
  Riders may compete as Amateurs from the beginning of the calendar year in which they
  turn 21 years of age.

So by this definition I am 100% an amateur. I’ve been doing this my whole life, the term ‘amateur’ doesn’t really fit if you associate amateur as being less than professional.

Here’s a couple of views that I have – you can be a professional amateur eg: you fit into the description, but are financial enough to purchase whatever horse at whatever level that suits you, you can quite happily employ a knowledgeable professional to train you and/or your horse that they also spent the time to help you find. You’re an amateur because you choose to be.

The amateur that aims to be a professional. You would love nothing more than to be able to do nothing else but ride and produce show jumping horses, however you spend most of your time working for a wage to keep up the payments necessary for the upkeep of an animal that means so much to you.

Due to having a standard job, you usually have to work around working weekends and therefore can only do the shows that fit with this.

This scenario plays on your mind that you’re not going to get the miles/experience to ever be even with those who do this everyday and every weekend.

I believe it should be the frame of mind and experience that determines whether you’re an amateur or a professional, not your bank balance.