I’ve upset my BF’s Mother

[LiveFastDieOld2]

I?ve been going out with my boyfriend for seven months. But yesterday was the first time I had been invited to travel over the 30 odd miles to their small-holding.
His Mother had suggested that we might go out for a (horse) ride in the afternoon which was fine with me. So at the correct time +/- 5 minutes I drove up and parked in the yard. His Mother came out and the visit went fine for the first 30 seconds, right up to the time when I mentioned that my horsebox, complete with John Boy (my horse), were just a couple of minutes behind me.
It now seems that bringing my own horse was bad but getting somebody else to bring him over for me was ?pretentious? and so doubly bad. Honestly it had never occurred to me that it would be a problem.
Any suggestions as to what I might do to get back into favour?

I've had second thoughts. I reckon that whatever I had done she would have tried to score points. It could have been a moan about what I was wearing or some grumble based around "she's got her own horse but expected to use one of mine"
On balance I'm glad I had my own horse for the ride she chose to take me on!

Main thing is that you didn't intend to offend, so carry on as normal.

Sounds like her 'staff' and 'estate' issues are more important than her grip on reality.

Why do you insist on calling it a smallholding? OK she is pretentious by insisting on "estate" but equally you sound deliberately goading - 900 acres is not a smallholding by any stretch of the imagination, do you have thousands of acres too? Why do you even know or care how many acres are owned or rented? It sounds like you are equally matched tbh.

FFS get a life, new boyfriend, horse, groom whatever. You both sound like precious spoilt bitches!

You are coming across as pretentious yes so not surprised at her reaction, it does sound like you were trying to show off to her as you hadn't explained you were having the horse brought to her place but tbh who cares, it might just be that you two will never get on.

She sounds like a Hyacinth Bouquet and you sound like a younger version.

If she invited you for a horse ride why would you take your own? I wouldn't I'd have thought she would provide one if she invited me and to take my own its like saying " yours aren't good enough for me" and to go to trouble of hiring a driver especially and fafffing about with a horse box . It sounds like your competing with her or she could have taken it that way.

Horse owner here. When invited to ride with friends I tend to assume they are going to provide the horse. I then check because I'm a bit choosy about what I ride.

I took your comments about a smallholding as a joke though, and think people are being a bit unfair laying into you about that one. Maybe they think you are stealth boasting as a rich horse owner, not realising that the majority of horse owners are kept poor by their hobby.

Sounds like two Mrs. Buckets having a daft barney TBH.

Thanks Schoolgovernor. I'm getting attacked from all sides for something I didn't say. I didn't say anything to her even faintly rude or sarcastic. The comment about the smallholding was a joke on this thread.

Having her as a MIL might be a problem but I'm more than a bit keen on her son.

PS I didn't "hire a driver" for the horsebox. She works on the farm and I asked her to drive my horse over as part of her paid work as a groom. That's a bit different.

Hmm... a bit on the fence, as I had my own horse for several years and while I was happy to ride him wherever as I knew what made him tick, to ride an unfamiliar horse on unfamiliar terrain would have scared the shit out of daunted me.

However, I could see that she might have been looking forward to showing off her horses and been a little miffed that you rocked up with yours when she'd planned for otherwise.

I'd have rung first and clarified with her what the deal was re. horses, the nature of the ride, and what she intended to put me on, THEN said would you mind if I brought my own horse over as I'd be more comfortable on him?

The pretentious comment is just nuts. I've never driven a horsebox/towed a box and would have either hacked over there or got someone to drive if I'd been taking my own horse.

If someone invited me on a bike ride, I'd take my own bike (if I had one). If I didn't have one, I'd mention it and ask to borrow one (from them or someone else). Is a horse that different? She invites you for a horse ride, she knows you have a horse, I'd take that as an invite to bring the horse and have a good day-why take a strangers horse out for a ride when you be (presumably?) paying someone to exercise yours at the same time....? (Like I say, not horsey, don't know if that's how it works!).

In fairness, she was probably projecting.

It does seem she was trying to show off and felt put down by you.

Next time you know to ask about details such as who's going to bring/provide what. :)

What is your bf take on it?
That's important if you are to consider life together in the future.

Lusty has a good point......

( and I am a horse person)

Invited for a horse ride by family who keep their own horses and then going to the effort to have someone transport your horse 30 miles down the road for you....... Kind of implies you thought her horses weren't up to your standards or something and I'm not surprised she was a bit put out.

ps. am I the only one who dislikes horse riding? Do the horses really enjoy carrying around snooty fat middle aged women (stereotype) for their jollies.... Shouldn't they be running free in the fields or something?

On a farm almost everything has to earn its keep. Sheep, pigs, machinery, people. Its just the same with horses, people pay to have their horses (just) stabled or pay more for a full service. The money they pay us gets paid out to pay the grooms and other costs. Horses running free in fields with no thought of money doesn't feature much in our business plan!
We have to make a profit to support Dad, younger sister and me (as a minimum).

Maybe next time just make sure you clarify the details. Don't apologise because I just don't think you realised. It sounds like no one would be right for her precious son anyway and what ever you did would be wrong.

Live - I had the MIL from Hell. Now, with hindsight, I shouldn't have even tried to ingratiate myself with her. No one, not even Princess Anne (yes, I am that old!) would have been good enough for her little darling. She constantly tried to make me feel socially inferior - when actually my family were far above hers socially. I should just have laughed at her idiocy. I honestly think she would have respected me more.

Give as good as you get, without being overly rude, is my advice!

but she didnt say anything to you either ...your delightful boyfriend passed on what his lovely mother had said about you

you are both or maybe neither to blame...it doesnt sound like much went on, for any blame to be aportioned; 2 people met and didnt like each other...and?

"Social inferior/superior"?

Good god.

I agree with Mixxy and Jan - this is the MN thread version of Mrs. Bucket x2.

why did you get someone else to drive your horse over?

Boomba - I'm not very confident or experienced with driving the horsebox, especially on roads I don't know well, and as the groom hadn't anything much urgent on I asked her to drive it over for me.

Busybusybust - I think I will take your advice and anyway there isn't any reason why we should meet too often

Seemingly prospective MIL has been telling anybody who will listen how nice I am! Perhaps FIL, who is lovely, has talked her round?

I should get out more. I found this thread entertaining as much for the out-of-my-zone how others live aspect as the acerbic comments of others.

Sounds like things have thawed since you first posted. I think you'll be a match for MIL but BF might want to watch what he relays between the two of you if there's to be a harmonious alliance.

Goodness me... Do you need a hand holding, I mean everyone else's problems must sound so trivial compared to yours!!!!!!!

Does 'Tatler' not have a problem page!!!!!!!