At the show jumping comp today...

[pricklyflower]

my daughter had a bit of trouble with her brakes, not majorily out of control just a little (she's only 9, on her 128cms doing her first 50cms beginners jumping).

First thing one of the other mums said to me when she came out of the ring was .... "you want put something else in her mouth, like a waterford something or other" (I turned away at this point and walked off so didn't here exactly what she said).

My pony does not need anything other than a plain snaffle, yes daughter had a job at one point stopping but not to warrant a bit change into something, in my opinion, shouldn't be in the hands (excuse the pun) of a 9 year old child!

Daughter went in for her second class and did a beautiful controlled round, in her snaffle...

 

[katie_and_toto]

I know what you mean, being 5ft 1 on a chunky monkey 14.1hh, but if I had trouble stopping I would change the bit.

Perhaps try a hanging cheek snaffle, that has a teeny bit more leverage, just in case she needs it

It's a bit rude though, when people at shows start telling you what to do

 

[Mithras]

Its so much better that your daughter learns to ride properly at the age of 9, rather than relying on gadgets. Totally agree with you.

 

[Dubsie]

Quite agree with you.

 

[Lanky Loll]

Yes I agree with you about riding properly and with appropriate kit, however... proper control is important and should it become necessary then it has to be considered as nothing is more frightening than having no brakes.

This is as someone who still some 20 years later remembers coming out of the ring and apologising to my mum for going round the course twice - "but the ground was all a blur and I couldn't stop". This on a jumping pony that had been an angel when I tried her, but we found out afterwards was usually led to the start gates and caught at the finish - less than an ideal ride for an 8 year old as I was at the time.
We ended up selling her on because we couldn't bear the idea of jumping her in an army reverisible - the only bit you could stop her in. She went on to become very successful with someone else who didn't have our scruples. Bit of an extreme example I know but I've never forgotton how terrified I was.