Anyone here have young children out competing?????

S

showpony

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 July 2012
Messages
2,953
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Visit site
Just Musing - my 6 ( will be 7 in 2 mths ) is just doing fantastic with her pony - they put most adults to shame lol... they are a gutsy combination & Pony is as safe as houses - zippy but with brakes!! Mini me just loves to jump as does ponio and its when they are in their element...

They will be having a private jumping lesson once a week with my instructor from next week as well as their usual group lesson...

SO am thinking about registering them and letting them compete at mini level SJ Under 8's - starts at approx 50cms & goes up to 60/70cms Max ( optimum time jump off - no speed rounds though they would most certainly excel in speed rounds lol ) for their first season or two..

Does anyone here have any children at a similar age doing the same??

Link here to them doing their first every round at a local venue..

Am I mad??? LOL or is it time to loosen the reins on them both...

http://s215.photobucket.com/user/coolwater_06/media/IMG_0137-1_zps8cd6d246.mp4.html
 
Last edited:
I would do it! I competed when I was that age and loved it! I wouldn't care what people say if you think they are ready then there is no reason as to why not! :)
 
Thank you - think I will just bite the bullet & let them Kick on lol..... I was only learning to do rising trot at her age lol..

Hungey said:
I would do it! I competed when I was that age and loved it! I wouldn't care what people say if you think they are ready then there is no reason as to why not! :)
Click to expand...
 
You have to do what you feel your child is ready for.You will always get a couple of green eyed monsters telling you it's too soon but if your child is happy and confident then go for it.My son was showing from the age of 6 and I just let him let me know what he was happy to do.At the age of 12 he is now doing dressage,beating adults and has been asked to represent a riding club as a Junior.He has been having lessons with my trainer this last few weeks and she feels with me that he is ready to affiliate next year but will only work towards Area Festival Qual to start.My younger son who is 8 has been more timid,let him take it at his own pace,has come on massively this holidays and wants to start looking at doing Walk and Trot tests in a couple of months.You know what is right and when is the right time.Sorry for essay and Good Luck.
 
Thank you for such a detailed reply!! Mini Me had good success showing this year BUT her heart is in jumping so I think I just need to crack on & loosen the reins..

fusspot said:
You have to do what you feel your child is ready for.You will always get a couple of green eyed monsters telling you it's too soon but if your child is happy and confident then go for it.My son was showing from the age of 6 and I just let him let me know what he was happy to do.At the age of 12 he is now doing dressage,beating adults and has been asked to represent a riding club as a Junior.He has been having lessons with my trainer this last few weeks and she feels with me that he is ready to affiliate next year but will only work towards Area Festival Qual to start.My younger son who is 8 has been more timid,let him take it at his own pace,has come on massively this holidays and wants to start looking at doing Walk and Trot tests in a couple of months.You know what is right and when is the right time.Sorry for essay and Good Luck.
Click to expand...
 
Has she jumped any higher than those in the vid? 60 -70cms is pretty big compared to those by the looks of it.

Fab little rider and pony! :-)
 
LOL - she turned her nose up at those fences BUT I insisted they keep it small for first time out in a HUGE arena lol!!!! and they did go on to jump double clear in the 50's aswell..

They regularly jump 60/70CMs at yard & god knows what else when Im not watching her lessons .. lol... couple wks ago they had a derby competition at yard & she was jumping a 70CM course & was one of few not to get dumped at the water tray ( most of the teenagers did lol ) !

Moomin1 said:
Has she jumped any higher than those in the vid? 60 -70cms is pretty big compared to those by the looks of it.

Fab little rider and pony! :-)
Click to expand...
 
Let her decide! Al was doing 60/70cm comps when she was 7 because she wanted to. Mum was completely unhorsey and had no clue so Al just followed the crowd, and that's what her age group were doing so that's what she did...
 
showpony said:
LOL - she turned her nose up at those fences BUT I insisted they keep it small for first time out in a HUGE arena lol!!!! and they did go on to jump double clear in the 50's aswell..

They regularly jump 60/70CMs at yard & god knows what else when Im not watching her lessons .. lol... couple wks ago they had a derby competition at yard & she was jumping a 70CM course & was one of few not to get dumped at the water tray ( most of the teenagers did lol ) !
Click to expand...

Haha, I did think she looked an awful lot more capable than in the vid, but just thought I would mention! She is fantastic and what a genuine pony too.

Go for it I say, let her do what she feels capable of doing as she looks a very competent little showjumper!
 
LOL , thats what Im going to let her do , she is SUPER gutsy and determined and I dont' think I should now let her age come into it as she is more than capable - she has also said she wants to go Hunting this year! May just draw the line at that lol:)

Lolo said:
Let her decide! Al was doing 60/70cm comps when she was 7 because she wanted to. Mum was completely unhorsey and had no clue so Al just followed the crowd, and that's what her age group were doing so that's what she did...
Click to expand...
 
showpony said:
LOL , thats what Im going to let her do , she is SUPER gutsy and determined and I dont' think I should now let her age come into it as she is more than capable - she has also said she wants to go Hunting this year! May just draw the line at that lol:)
Click to expand...

Oh my gawdd!! She is a brave little soul isn't she? Well good on her I say, and you must (and deserve to be) be extremely proud.

Please keep the threads coming, would be lovely to see how she gets on.
 
showpony said:
LOL , thats what Im going to let her do , she is SUPER gutsy and determined and I dont' think I should now let her age come into it as she is more than capable - she has also said she wants to go Hunting this year! May just draw the line at that lol:)
Click to expand...

Let her! It is the genuine making of children if they have a sensible pony and a good person looking after them. Al has a crew of 4 children she takes out, aged 6-12, and they get so much from it. Teaches them about sensible riding in different conditions, and sitting up and holding tight, and being super polite :D
 
Wow didn't know Al did that!!! My instructor is superb - and Mini Me has her fav group lesson with her every Saturday BUT is now going to take her for one private a week aswell:) If Mini Me showed any symptoms of not being polite on horseback I would have no issue dragging her off pony lol:)

Lolo said:
Let her! It is the genuine making of children if they have a sensible pony and a good person looking after them. Al has a crew of 4 children she takes out, aged 6-12, and they get so much from it. Teaches them about sensible riding in different conditions, and sitting up and holding tight, and being super polite :D
Click to expand...
 
Let little one go for it :)
Mine was doing Cradle Stakes at 6, then Nursery stakes at 8/9, this in addition to the usual M&M workers & riddens etc.
Dont over push, but set guidelines - eg: if child 'really' wants to go, then whatever the weather they DO the class...
Obs you will do a lot of the work in getting pony ready, but make sure child 'shares' the chores - easier things that they can do :)

Good luck & go for it :)
 
Mini Me will be delighted in morning!!! Just going to let her crack on & go for it:)


The Fuzzy Furry said:
Let little one go for it :)
Mine was doing Cradle Stakes at 6, then Nursery stakes at 8/9, this in addition to the usual M&M workers & riddens etc.
Dont over push, but set guidelines - eg: if child 'really' wants to go, then whatever the weather they DO the class...
Obs you will do a lot of the work in getting pony ready, but make sure child 'shares' the chores - easier things that they can do :)

Good luck & go for it :)
Click to expand...
 
Ive Never ever pushed - In fact the opposite! am fairly insistent that Mini me helps bath the " Pony who never gets dirty " and cleans tack etc...


The Fuzzy Furry said:
Let little one go for it :)
Mine was doing Cradle Stakes at 6, then Nursery stakes at 8/9, this in addition to the usual M&M workers & riddens etc.
Dont over push, but set guidelines - eg: if child 'really' wants to go, then whatever the weather they DO the class...
Obs you will do a lot of the work in getting pony ready, but make sure child 'shares' the chores - easier things that they can do :)

Good luck & go for it :)
Click to expand...
 
LOVE AL'S EXPRESSION, ITS AS IF SHE IS SAYING " DONT MESS WITH ME PONY CLUBBERS" LOL

Lolo said:
Yeah, she loves it- literally a dream winter job for her. And she gets paid to do it!

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/401549_3588907280890_1195742598_n.jpg
Ta da :) Cubbing photo, hence the tweed. There's a few like her who nanny out hunting on super sensible horses.

Hunting was genuinely the making of Al, IMO, and got her out there seeing stuff and making some really good friends.
Click to expand...

a
 
thank you - now need to stock up on rescue remedy watching them lol!

Moomin1 said:
Haha, I did think she looked an awful lot more capable than in the vid, but just thought I would mention! She is fantastic and what a genuine pony too.

Go for it I say, let her do what she feels capable of doing as she looks a very competent little showjumper!
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top