Cute BSJA Tiny Tots video

Aw so cute. There are few things more fun than showjumping 128cm ponies - they can jump from any stride and they rarely have a fence down because their tiny little legs are so light that the poles hardly move even if the pony hits them! Oh, to be 11 again...
 
I have to say that I was cringing watching that. Only a few of the ponies look happy in the job they are doing.
I used to jump 128's and I know that both my mother and instructor would never have let me jump if I hit the ponies before every jump like some of those little riders.

To me, that looked like alot of kids on ponies that were too sharp for them/they didnt have a bond with. The majority of kids are sitting on good ponies but not actually riding them.

It has become more or a competition of who has got the best jacket and the flashiest pony than which child is the better rider and has the most ability.

To be honest I think it is a shame that the kids are being pushed in that direction. Its a shame for the kids, the ponies, but mostly re representation of the sport.

The BSJA needs to make some serious changes if the sport is going to improve.
 
Yeah, was that a Whitaker? Stopped in the double? I didn't like that I must say, especially as the pony got a pole in between its front legs so couldn't have jumped from that! It would be nice if these kids were taught to recognise when a pony tried but literally couldn't jump because of something like this...
 
That's the one Mincepie. Is he one of THE Whitakers? :-0

Chocolate Log - I agree with you. Very hard with kids that young though, they have no experience. Also, like you say, the ponies are sharp and forward (good 128's usually are) and the riders tiny so they are bitted up really heavily - what are the rules for this in the UK? (I am from Sweden and there are restrictions re bitting in pony SJ there)
 
I love that site
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Too cute. I used to 128cm when I was 7 and 8, wouldnt have the guts now! Not sure the standard of riding or schooling of the ponies is too inspirational, and the ponies don't look happy. When I did it my pony loved it and I just sat there, terrified.
 
blitzen - Just click on the "tinytots" title below (in the blue box) and slide the bit undr the screen along about two minutes.

I think it was funny when the girl on the dark grey got her come-uppance, she hit the pony every stride up to a fence and then it dumped her into it!

i don't think the smacking the whitaker boy did was too awful, I know its not nice, but it wouldn't have been hellishly painful and maybe it just improves the pony enough to jump higher next time. he at least has a lovely seat.
 
Not really impressed with that, did cringe in places as well, afraid they all looked like passengers not much riding going on, my daughters been competing since she was 7/8yrs old and i would not be impressed if she rode like that.
 
Yes have to say agree with those that cringed slightly at all the hitting. What makes it worse is it reminds me of what I was like at that age - up until 14 come to think of it and I am still embarrased how I used to act sometimes
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Although I am not surprised that me and my various ponies at the time never got that far in the Pony Club when I look at some of the elegant creatures these kids were on. Most of mine were New Forest monsters (although I loved them for it
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Rather a lot of whip use (and notice how they re-arrange the way the whip is held before they use it) and pelhams with roundings in a flash noseband being yanked around. I would have given anything for my own pony at that age, they don't appreciate how lucky they are and a few too many spoilt brats on there. Not a good image at all. Some of them do ride very nicely though, and the ponies are very talented (and genuine).
 
Bit shocked to see kids that young wearing spurs. They kick and flap. Ouch! Must hurt the pony.

Still think it's amazing that kids as young and small as these can remember a course, ride it, stay on etc.
 
man some of those kids are mean! they're pretty vicious if their poor pony stops cos it can't quite manage a jump at 100mph on an impossible turn! and i totally agree with suzysparkle - they way the turn their whip around and use it like a racing jockey is just horrible! my instructer would probably kill me if i did that!
and the girl on the dapple grey deserved her fall, you could just see she was gonna get decked cos she was going so fast! and she kicked and smacked that pony every stride. poor thing
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Some of them are nice little riders, and the ponies are smashing.

Not too fond of all the overuse of whips and spurs though.

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Have to agree
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. Very honest little ponys and the kids are very determined, must say I did cringe at James Whitaker although it did look like the pony was expecting it.
I used to jump my pony years ago BSJA, most children didn't wear spurs then. There were some nice quiet riders though.
 
Very cute, wish I'd done that when I was younger - I missed out on the tiny ponies thing. But to be honest a lot of them are just sitting on really good ponies that just know they're job and I don't like the hitting either - it's not the ponies fault!!!
 
Awww - you have all just been mean to 10 year old kids.

I imagine that they all ride a lot better than the majority of you lot, I wish I rode that determinally.
 
Yeah, Im unsure why they're even allowed spurs at that age. You're not at Pony Club! And the ponies certainly don't need them - they fly!

I didn't really think the kids were being total brats. I assumed that some of them were tapping on the shoulder / kicking all the way round because it was the biggest class they'd do all year (it is the finals) so they were likely very nervous and wanted to do well. I dont beat my horses up, but I know I ride pretty pants when it matters for some reason!
 
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