Age when allowed to compete BE?

[Diane_Pepper]

I was told by someone yesterday that the rule has changed RE 12yr olds being able to compete on a horse - apparently they can now compete without being approved?
Maybe I should read my rulebook about that lol, but I was just wondering what people thought about the age in which people/children are allowed to compete (sorry if there has been a post about this before)
My mum thinks that 12 is a bit young, as some 12yr olds may not be totally aware of the dangers, particularly regarding the XC - even if it is an intro course..
I'm not sure about this, but I remember being pretty annoyed that I had to wait until I was 16 to compete in 2005 when the year after they lowered the age!

So anyway, just wondering what you thought?

 

[welshpony]

I thought 12 year olds had to ride a pony? That you had to be 14 to ride a horse?

 

[Diane_Pepper]

From the new rule book [ QUOTE ]

pg 5
i. Under 14 - Rider
Is one who:
a. will attain the age of 12 in the calendar year in question and remains so until the end of the calendar year of his 13th birthday;
b. may ride ponies or horses in Intro & Pre Novice classes if qualified;
c. if he wishes to be considered for selection in the Pony Team, he must register with the Chairman of Selectors of the Pony Team*.

[/ QUOTE ]
I couldn't find the asterisk - must be going blind

I'm probably reading the wrong bit now!

 

[hotellie]

you CAN now compete on a horse when 12...i am not in favour at all!

 

[welshpony]

When did that change?

 

[hotellie]

changed for 2008

 

[eventergirl87]

that seems rather young imo! spec regarding XC as you said

 

[siennamum]

I think INtro & affiliated courses are vastly more straighforward and well built/run thanj the average PC course, and often quite a bit smaller. I shall be delighted when Will is able to do Intros instead of risking life & limb round courses like Chavenage!!!
Only issue for me woudl be the distances & speeds involved.

Many children I know at 12 & 13 are moving onto horses through neccessity. Will will move onto a horse before the end of the year, he'll be too big for a pony - he's 12......

 

[Sunny_Star]

I agree that Pony Club eventing doesnt compare to BE

I have done two events at "novice" pony club level, in the first the showjumping and xc was 3ft-3ft3, and in the second competition the sj and xc was 2ft6- 2ft9.
Also PC are so fussy with their rules!

But 12 does seem really young, I guess it depends on the experience that the person has had and when they started riding

 

[Diane_Pepper]

yeah, I suppose it does depend on their experience, but I know that I wouldn't have ben confident enough or have enough memory capacity to remember the dressage!
bu then again I barely do now

 

[measles]

I've no opinion on the topic but I love your horse, Diane_Pepper!

 

[Diane_Pepper]

Thanks measles!