Daughter wants to compete

MrsMozartletoe

MrsMozartletoe

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I posted this in CR, but I don't think I worded it right, so trying again
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Daughter - 14 years and a tall stick insect;
Cob - five years old, still green but keen;
Big Cob - well schooled but not 100% out at shows, gets stressed;
Little Lad - 13.2 pone who can but won't jump, not bad flat work.
Daughter wants to
jump Big Cob - he'll go clear but not fast;
Bring on Cob - but she's only got a year left before she's kicking the back of his knees;
Little Lad - dressage tests and Handy Pony, other than that he aint interested (wicked, wicked stops), only her feet are just about at his knees. Pony is her sister's, but she's into tennis now(!!!).
So, the question is: what competitions can child do? I started looking, but got very confused about her age and ponies/horse sizes. She'd like to BSJA her Cob - he'll probably go clear(-ish), but unlikely to be a speed merchant.

To add to the mix - we have a riding field but no school, we'll be making some jumps, and my lorry is going to be off the road for two or three months so we won't be going to any competitions at all unless I buy a trailer whilst the lorry is being worked on.

Cookies, cream, wine and chocolates if you've got this far
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To be honest, if she is really keen to compete, none of these sound like serious prospects. Big Cob will give her a few fun outings, but if he isn't a speed machine and more importantly gets stressy at shows, he probably isnt a serious BSJA prospect.

This may be a completly unacceptable suggestion but - are these all hers and her sisters (i.e. not yours)? What about selling all three and buying something she really can do BSJA on?
 
Ta Trundle. Cob is hers, Big Cob is friend's we share yard with, LIttle Lad is sister's but is now used by the world and his dog for fun as he is bomb proof in traffic so is a lovely safe hack so long as don't go out of walk/trot. I think she'll sell Cob in a year's time, but she wanted to 'do something with him', preferably something that inovlves jumping! Big Cob is nice for gentle experience of the bigger jumps I think.

When I had Tiggy I think she would have ended up taking over the competing with her (me thinking me too old etc etc etc), but that is now academic as the Tigs has gone.

I think we just need some form of competition where she can start low and work up through the year? I'll happily register her and Cob with BSJA if that is a good plan, or should I keep her at unaffiliated for this year until she moves on? And, sorry to throw another in here, but when she does sell the Cob she'll be fifteen-ish (eek!) - will she be expected to be on a horse then? I'd hoped to keep her on ponies for as long as possible as she'll never really get the chance again. I tried reading the BSJA rules, but lost the will to live - I'm a bad mum
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Yikes, i havent the foggiest about BSJA to be honest, but i think msot kids, whatever their preferred discipline, seem to move onto horses by the time they are about 15. Isn't it 16 when she'll be out of ponies altogether? So maybe (and please note I don't compete affiliated at all, so could well be talking out of my bottom here) she could have a low-key fun year getting herself up to speed with both Big Cob and Little Cob, get Little Cob up to a decent standard, and then get a larger horse to progress her SJing.

Of course, that doesn't really answer your lorry problem. Can't you just shout at the mechanic to get it done more quickly?
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Ta Trundle
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I could shout at the mechanic, but he'd shout back that he wanted payng humongous amounts of money quicker
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Very porrly lorry
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Had it less than a year, but hey ho.

I like the plan re Big Cob and Little Cob, and I have a feeling she will be out of pones by sixteen
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My little girl is growing up! The question is, which competition/s? Trail Blazers? BSJA? BE? ABCD? XYZ? I am a simple soul and it's all very confusing, and all damned expensive! I want her to have a taste of things like decent cross-country cos it'll matter when she goes hoss hunting, and I want her to have fun
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She is so keen and works so hard looking after them all - I been failry useless for forever now.
 
Trying to find Pony Club branch - but she's chosen one just north of Northampton or the Quorn (sp?) - this is going by the PC website. The closest ones to us are South Trent and South Notts! I dn't know if we're allowed to join one further away, and, it means buying a trailer while the lorry is off the road, though I think we're going to have to do that anyway - I was trying not to cos hubby no like the lorry (too noisy) and he'd rather go places in nice quiet car towing a trailer! When did life get so blasted complicated?! Local RC is good idea
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She used to go there and had fun just doing the showing classess and minimus.

I'm sure life used to be simple
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What about a bit of XC? Cobs are great fun, but she might get frustrated trying to sj one!! (Competitively I mean....I jumped my old boy for years, but he wasnt very fast against the clock and the standard of horses out jumping these days is much higher than it ever used to be!)
 
I wouldn't bother about affiliating to start with. Pony Club is a good option as they usually organise lots of competitions and offer training too. You are not restricted to joining the nearest branch, you can choose one a bit further away if it seems more suitable to you. If Big Cob goes clear but not fast then he would be great for PC teams, as usually only one of the team actually has to do the jump off.

You need to find out exactly what is on in your locality - do you have an equestrian free-ads type paper which lists all the shows? Google all the local riding club websites as well to find out what is on. You don't really have to worry too much about pony size and her age at unaffiliated - often classes are open to adults and juniors alike and just restricted by how much prize money they have won as a combination.

If she does well at unaffiliated and gets really keen, then you can think about affiliating (and perhaps getting a more competitive mount) at a later date.
 
I'd suggest Pony Club too. Chance to mix with, learn with others her own age and lots of fun. Doesn't matter too much what sort of pony/horse and may get suggestions on what to buy next.

As a rule junior competitions (BSJA etc) state that juniors are 16 or under and ride ponies 14.2 and under. Can compete in Junior BSJA until end of year child has 16th birthday then must go up to seniors. Can compete in senior classes before 16 (I think after 13) but must register as Junior Assosiate (costs more) Can ride ponies in senior classes but not horses in junior classes. For under 16s a parent must also register - it all costs!! Rules are complex - i.e. spotted ties not allowed!

Good competition and experience at unaffiliated level and above all, fun. Look at Trailblazers and Dengie (if in Pony Club) also.

Lots of XC courses run unaffiliated cross country and 2 phase hunter trial (SJ and XC) Pony Clubs also run these sort of competitions, usually not just confined to members. Most XC courses also hire out for schooling - our local ones charge around £13 to £15 for unlimited time session.

Doesn't matter too much height of child for pony so long as not too heavy. My son rode 14.1 pony for final winter when he was 5'10" (stick insect!), had his best season SJ ever, affiliated, qualified for Blue Chip and sold pony for enough to buy the horse he has now. (had bought pony unbroken 3½ years earlier). Huge achievement for him and pony went to wonderful home.
 
Thank you Rodeo_Rudolph - we'll go back to the local RC as they are a nice (and competitive bunch!).

Maisy - Elland Lodge isn't too far away and they have a nice cross-country course: I'll look on thier website.

TGM - so many good ideas
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Didn't think of the papers, will go to saddlers. I'm sure Big Cob will enjoy himself at PC. LIttle Cob will have to go and play; and Little Lad will be worth a try (we have had a tanking off issue with him, so will be interesting!). I think you're right - we'll leave the affiliation until we see what direction she wants to go in
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Its none breed specific, unless you do heritage classes otherwise its generally horse/rider age/height restrictive but should be fine as your daughter is young. if you choose to do none affiliated classes (if your lucky enough to have some in your are) then anyone can have a go!
Thats my understanding anyway
 
The mounted games team is great fun, particularly suits tall stick insects and very fast little ponies!!

If very good - you get to compete at Olympia
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Might be better to think about working cobs or straight cob classes if you want to show. But if little cob or big cob are well put together this might be fun and a challenge for her. Don't believe in workers you have to use a pelham or double - certainly don't in working hunter classes.
 
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working hunter classes are fun but can u ride the cob in a double bridle/pelham/rugby pelham??
Has to be in one for showing!

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They don't need to be in a double! Any bit will do for workers, my whp went in a cheltenham gag and won a lot of county shows
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A snaffle will be fine for any classes she wants to do unaffiliated
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I'd try and find a local riding club / show, will prob do her more good than BSJA. I joined BSJA when I was 14/15 as horse I loaned was already affiliated, but it was all a bit serious for me, and I found it took the fun out a bit. The horse I have now would easily affiliate but I've chosen not too as can't afford it and have more fun at riding club level.
If you find a good local show, it should have sj and showing, so your daughter can have a go at a bit of everything and get both herself and the horses more experience.
 
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