Disabled child doing in hand class, too risky?

As you mention in your original post OP, its a fun show...I think the emphasis on the fun part gets lots sometimes, especially with kids and I think that is such a shame.

Go forth and enjoy...fingers crossed for sunshine!
 
HBM1 said:
Perissa in a case such as this I feel that he should be judged on what he is able to do. So a fully able-bodied child who can do a trot up, should be judged as such. This little chap can handle a pony AND his walking frame and apparently go quite fast, so I would hope that could be judged on an equal level, given the differing abilities?
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I think that is exactly what I was trying to describe.
 
Go for it, my old boss used to do county show lead rein who's son had down's syndrome, only a few judges were a bit off and moved the pony down the line when they realise the rider had a disability, others were fine
 
Hi Perissa..sorry on my phone now so can't quote - yes I was just musing aloud as to whether it was possible to have different "scoring" levels within one class in a similar way to how they do paralympics in different ability levels. I don't show at all and don't have little ones so never really thought of it before now.
 
As it is just a fun show, i would get a reserve rosette and ask the judge could she possibly if jack didnt get placed call him up and give him the rosette as it would just make his day so special.
 
There is a special rosette for the youngest handler and at only 7 he might be the littlest one, we are not expecting great things, just hoping for a good day and lots of fun, think both boys would be happy with any colour rosette, from first to last, they just want something to take back to school to show their friends x
 
zigzag said:
Go for it, my old boss used to do county show lead rein who's son had down's syndrome, only a few judges were a bit off and moved the pony down the line when they realise the rider had a disability, others were fine
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I am shocked and saddened that judges would put a pony down the line just because the child on top had Down's! Very wrong.
OP - hope your son has a great time.
 
go for it have fun and watch out for the weather! people need to remember things should be fun, yes to ride and win at county or hoys is wonderful. but having a fun time with your pony when you are 7 is just as good.

we are lucky with horsey stuff that people of different abilities can compete and have fun together. i have never been worried that people with different physical ability levels have beaten me at dressage, trust me it doesn't take much but i do it for fun and hopefully not to have a worse score as last time. i find watching the para dressage etc inspiring if a little frustrating for me, but it does give me a kick up the butt! i can not really have an excuse as i am fortunate that i have mostly have an able body.


good luck for the show and yes we do need to see the pics!:)
 
Im posting again to say GO . just go enjoy day with your son and i hope he as a fantastic day. winning isnt the main thing its smiles.but a rosette would be so great. go and keep the memories. i do of my daughter and i when she was little . oiccies demanded :) x
 
Go for it, and if he doesn't get a rosette get one made yourself! They are cheap to buy on the internet and you can get them personalised, so you could have a mega special one made. I had one made for my friend when her filly was the best behaved in her class when she was very young, she wasn't placed so i had one made with "Best behaved filly" on it and the name of the show and the date. Red rosette of course!!! She was thrilled with it.:)
 
Having worked with RDA and judged at local shows, I definitely say 'Go for it'. Many horses and ponies will rise to such an occasion, most of the child handlers will have an adult with them in the ring, so if any pony does take exception to the frame in the ring, the adult will be on hand and I can think of no reason why your son shouldn't have a go.
Are those who suggest that he shouldn't enter the class in case the other ponies react badly suggesting that OP's son should not be allowed on the showground in case some equines are upset? No, of course not!

I bet there will be enough rosettes to go round, one way or another.
 
Do it! :) I know my pony wouldn't react to your sons frame(shes fine with wheelchairs, crutches etc) and I'd think not many kids ponies would too. Best of luck!! :)
 
I really hope that you go ahead with this. I know that it's not quite the same but my friend's little girl, just turned 7, really wanted to take part in our local show. Most of the horses/ponies we have aren't suitable for her to ride (too big/too young/too ridiculous) but my 18 hand ex racer is a complete saint and she drags him round all the time at home so we entered them in young handler.

OK, so we got some very disapproving looks but I know this horse so well and he would never hurt her. She led him round, trotted him up just like they do at home and came home with a MASSIVE smile and a rosette!

Not every horse/pony is the same and not every rider/handler is the same but as long as everyone goes away smiling then it's all worth it!

Go for it!
 
If Jack wants to do it, go for it. You'll get a good idea how ponies react outside the ring, not to mention the experiences you've had already.

Good luck Jack and Rocket! We will look forward to photos! :-)
 
Go for it and do whatever Jack is happy with.

I have taken my nephew to fun shows, he isn't disabled, but he doesn't bhave a pony so competes with my 16hh 5 year old. They do what they can and just accept that they may lose marks because he can't trot her up. I normally go in the ring just in case but don't help. They do agility, handy pony, fancy dress, and most appealing pony (!) type classes. I find that we lose marks for not trotting but often pick a few up for moves that are harder on a big horse. The first show we did my nephew had a broken arm too and that didn't stop us!

Hope jack has a fab time and wins lots of rosettes.
 
Go for it - I know someone who shows her horse at club/fun level from her mobility scooter!
 
I've judged Young handler too. I would always take into account all factors - ie, how old the child is, how easy to handle the pony is etc. A small child with a difficult pony has more "handling" to do than a perfectly turned out child with an easy pony, and a handicap would factor in too - the child already has more work to do than the average child overcoming the disablility and handling the horse, so that would compensate for not being able to trot up in my book. I'm not saying a small child or disabled child should win because of that, just that if they couldn't do all the usual things expected it shouldn't work against them if they have shown they're doing well within their limits. Its a fun class, designed to encourage children and should be flexible to cater for all types of children.
 
Echo above, DO IT AND TAKE PICTURES we want to see the smile on Jack's face!!!

It'd be an amazing confidence boost for him, and its a fun class the point of it is that its supposed to be fun!!!

And if other ponies spook (they shouldn't as i imagine itd be full of bombproof childrens ponies) then stay put you have a perfect and equal right to be there, same as everyone else! You wouldn't leave the ring if a pony spooked at a plastic bag!
 
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