competing ponies.... I am too big??

Chilledoutfilly90

Chilledoutfilly90

Active Member
Joined
30 October 2012
Messages
43
Visit site
I have a 5yo welsh x, I got him as a companion for my horse when he was 2yo :) I have backed him and done all his education with him he's know ready to have a bit of fun and go out to a few unaff comps :D the only issue I have is I'm 5'4 and he is 11.3hh so am I going to get turned away by places? I can't loan him out or share him as that's what's in my contract from the rescue place I got him from states :( so what are my options??? Any help would be brilliant :)
 
Can you find a child to compete him under your supervision? It would be a lovely opportunity for some lucky kid, and you could still retain total control and get all the enjoyment out of seeing them do well :) I'm sure this would fit with the terms of your contract...

If you enquired at local yards or put an advert in your local feed store/saddlery I'm sure you would be inundated with interest ;)
 
I have thought about this as he is such a fun pony full of attitude I love riding him :P but I worried about the legal side they could sue me if kid fell off etc etc such ashame the world we live in today is like this! When I was young my mom would never have even thought about taking legal action if I fell off..... :(
 
You probbly need third party insurance of some sort - BHS, PC, RC membership etc any of these would cover you so long as no money was changing hands, even your houshold insurance might cover you you would have to check. But the most important thing would be to have a good relationship with the family involved.
 
I have gold membership with BHS I'll have a look on there website I know they have loan agreements but that's only if you sole own the horse, I'll look for riding peoples horses though :) see what comes up :) x
 
No you don't need a written agreement for this, if it is just a questioon of allowing someone to ride your pony at a show, under your supervision. You will be automatically covered for any accidents they may have, or cause, under your Gold membership :) If in doubt give the BHS a ring and they will confirm this. But you mustn't offer any payment, including in kind, nor must they pay you, otherwise it gets a lot more complicated...
 
Brilliant :D I'll ring BHS just to get piece of mind and fingers crossed look for a great little jockey that wants to have loads of fun doing everything :D
 
If you ride him regularly at home and feel you are not too big or heavy for that, then take him yourself. For showing he will look smaller than he would do if he was carrying a small child, does it matter? What classes/disciplines were you planning to try? If you shorten your stirrups and wear jodhpur boots not long ones you'll look smaller.
Adult pony riders need thick skins, be prepared, but he's yours and do what you both enjoy!
Ponies ridden by adults are always welcome at TREC ;-)
 
I ride him usually 4-5 times a week so he's quite fit we jump hack and go on the gallops, I'm not thinking of showing him as he's non registered so there's no classes also I do that with my other boy :) I'd like to do some jumping, XC, combined training and different things I've never done :)

I have a thickish shin seen as I've had him 3 yrs and the girls on yard always laugh when I'm on him but there not serious really :P

I've never tried TREC always wanted to though and my lil man would probly love it he's so bold and will give anything a go might have to look it up :D
 
In that case yes I think you are too big. Maximum should be 20 percent of his bodyweight, including your clothes, boots, tack, hat.
 
He is native though which are weight carriers ::confused: he's never looked or felt like he's struggling to carry me ever, he enjoys doing his work and we only work max of 1/2 hr usually 20 mins with breaks he's never sweaty unless its sunny ( very rare :P) there's not a lot else I can do
 
HardySoul1 said:
If you ride him regularly at home and feel you are not too big or heavy for that, then take him yourself. For showing he will look smaller than he would do if he was carrying a small child, does it matter? What classes/disciplines were you planning to try? If you shorten your stirrups and wear jodhpur boots not long ones you'll look smaller.
Adult pony riders need thick skins, be prepared, but he's yours and do what you both enjoy!
Ponies ridden by adults are always welcome at TREC ;-)
Click to expand...

Jodhpur boots are incorrect for adults when showing, though some small local shows may not bother. Tbh, if I was showing a pony which I felt I looked too big on, I would rather go all out and try to at least dress correctly. But I am a bit of a showing OCD perfectionist! :o:o

I don't think sj classes are restricted these days locally height/age/pony size wise - I know some of them even at local used to be, but looking at it, they don't seem to worry now. :)

ETA: Just seen the profile pic - I would say that yes, you do look too big. You are too tall from hip to head for his body length/size, and look far too top heavy. You do not however look too heavy in weight IMO. But I don't think you do justice to the pony for showing classes if I'm honest. Lovely looking pony though, and you look like you and he enjoy yourselves! :-)
 
Last edited:
I think you are a bit too big for him for a long-term thing.

As an aside, Moomin1, you have to turn out for type. So if you're an adult on a M&M small breed you dress like a child with yellow jods, tweed, and short boots...
 
Lolo said:
I think you are a bit too big for him for a long-term thing.

As an aside, Moomin1, you have to turn out for type. So if you're an adult on a M&M small breed you dress like a child with yellow jods, tweed, and short boots...
Click to expand...

Very true, though I would question whether he should be in M+M being a Welsh cross. Though, again, it depends on the level of show.

Plus, even if he was an M + M candidate, I still feel that OP is far too tall for him body length wise, and would look a bit silly if I'm honest in jod boots.
 
To be honest, I'd say yes your too big, when I was a teen I was riding a 12.2 section b, I'm 5'2 on a good day and the at time was 9 stone max and to be honest I looked too big and we were marked down for it even at local shows!

A photo of me and the pony I used to ride in my skinny days
honey.jpg
 
Moomin1: my OCD about showing is sleeping, but I've produced m&m, shp and sp to HOYS/RIHS/Championship level, and seen several successful rider/producers alter their clothing to hide imperfections in the partnership! If anyone is showing a Welsh pb ridden by an adult it will be in an UN affiliated class, so you can choose which "rules" to ignore!
I was trying to make a helpful suggestion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top