3yo competing

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MagicMelon

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What are your thoughts on competing a 3yo? He's not 4 until end of April. Im planning to back him (he's just a little Section B) over the next month and then get him out ASAP to the odd local very small stuff, such as walk & trot dressage for example. So nothing very exciting. I know they're meant to be 4 to compete but for unaffiliated, they never seem to care.
 
Richard did 3DE's which 21Km marathon as a 3Yo!! He is very immature now at 6, but I can't imagine that made a difference. I would say it would be fine, just for small stuff, give the pony a head start so to speak! I used to do local shows with 3YO shetties too.
 
They have to be in their 4th year, whether aff or unaff so he is technically fine to compete.
Provided just a low key outing then I have no problem with them going out at that age
 
Tommy will be 4 at the start of march and he has done quite a few local shows with my 7 year old son , Dont see a problem with it .
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Don't see a problem with it?

My two were out competing tiny tiny jumps when they were coming up for 4yo, doesn't seem to have done them any harm!
 
My chap was out doing unaff SJ (not with me) when he was rising 4 - doesn't seem to have done him any (short-term) harm. Can't imagine it's done his legs any good though (but the racing won't have helped much either
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I agree that it shouldn't make a difference - say the horse was born on April 10th, what does it matter if you take him out on the 9th as a 3yo or on the 11th as a 4yo? If the horse is ready and "technically" ok (in his fourth year) then I don't see an issue. There will always be people who notice your horse is very young and make a comment, but just ignore them
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Chancer was sat on at two and has been brought on very slowly, basically I have done in 18 months what a lot of people do in 4 weeks which has worked very well for him. He is now 3 1/2 and will be 4 end of June.

I plan to take him to a local venue I can hack to in 15 mins and do the walk and trot dressage text in mid March - I don't care what he does, it is pure experience.

He is very experienced at in hand showing but has never been out under the saddle yet so this will be a big step for him.

I intend to keep in hand for affiliated shows but by July hope to do a couple of show classes at local shows - first one I will not canter unless he is very relaxed.

We have only just started a few strides of canter, but his walk and trot are coming along and I am in no hurry.

Next year I hope to start affiilated shows under saddle and spring 2009 may try a small SJ class locally depending on how he is going. As said, we do everything very slowly giving him plenty of time to think and grow mentally and physically. That said, I have the luxury of being able to do this as he is planned to be with me until the end of his days.
 
Its a lil harsh what some poeple say as look at the racing industry! Most top horses by the time they are four are retireed to stud! As long as people take a sensible view and dnt hurt the horse where's the harm?
 
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