H&H article on PPCP (perfect pony club ponies)

[itsme123]

As we all know, these ponies ARE like gold dust! And true PPCP are what they say on the tin...

There's some real gems round here, the ponies that will NEVER be sold, like the little hairy liver chestnut that is always upfront out hunting, with it's tiny (6yo) jockey. They never miss a meet and when others have given into the cold and damp this pair are still out there, grinning child and dependable pony

So who on here owns one? How many kids have they taught? And I'd love to see some photos!

 

[Abbeygale]

I don't think I have any photos that I can load up on here at the moment - and I didn't ever do pony club - but my pony I learnt to ride on took me through from when I was about 6 / 7 until I was about 17. She was a 13.2 welsh x arab - we brought her when she was 9 - and she was a heller! Brigitte Millington bred her back in the day, and as the pony was sooo naughty and Brigitte was local to us at the time, we asked Brigitte for some help. Pony went to Brigitte's yard for a couple of months for a little "education".

The most of the time the pony was a star - go anywhere do anything. She hated people who thought they knew everything- and would love to ditch those types on the floor. She had a filthy stop when jumping if, again - someone thought they knew better than her.

I had so many brilliant times with that pony - she was an absolute psychopath out hunting - would always be at the front of the field - the first jumping everything

Sadly we had to have her put down 2 years ago aged 32. Not bad for a pony that the vets told us wouldn't live past 16 due to COPD!!!!

Love that pony.

 

[oinkmoooink]

I have 2- except theire Not-Quite-PPCP

One, ride and drive 7 year old bombproof shetland, will jump if asked, can jump 2'9(in hand), beats the bigger ponies in driving trials, angel at shows, never kics etc...only problem is---shes 36inches

- proof that she just doesnt care(she is actually quite good looking, just mid malt there!)

And then theres shadow- who would be perfect, if he wasnt a grumpy old man. He is perfect at what he knows, and at 19 still has brilliant paces, knows when he should look after his rider, and follows you around like a dope on a rope
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3342550/an/0/page/0#3342550
Except....hes been known to rear when out of his comfort zone, and hates pony club

So calypso is my ultimate PPCP- but shes too small most people to ride!

 

[ihatework]

Well as a kid (many moons ago) I rode the middle one (fat bay mare called Brora) quite a lot, she belonged to a good friend of mine. Nice to see she is still doing well.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

Had one but he was a mini shetland, on the larger side but still slightly small.

Absolute diamond though. I started my baby sister on him who at four, he was taking over her first jump in an open paddock. Because I knew he'd stop afterwards & wouldn't tank off with her. Could be nippy when we first had him but then again, he was a colt.

Absolutely 110% dependable & could be trusted with the smallest of tots.

 

[TGM]

My daughter is on her second PPCP (well they are not totally perfect, but she says they are/were perfect for her)!

First was Misty - steady and reliable, bombproof in traffic and happy to do all PC activities at Mini Mini level:

Misty is now on loan to another HHOer's daughter, who is hopefully having as much fun with her.

Now we have Lizzie, who is a true allrounder - she hunts, she shows and she competes in dressage, combined training, tetrathlons, showjumping and one day events.

There is a waiting list for her already!

 

[kirstyfk]

My 14.2hh was my PPCP. He was a 24 when I had him. He could be so naughty but I trusted him with my life and although cheeky I trusted him with my life. I when from being scared to jump 2' to jumping 3' courses in less than six months. He had the same owner since he was 6 until he died and just got passed round children.

And I just realised I don't have a photo of him on the computer!

 

[_April_]

I had 2 of them, was so lucky

First was Misty who was a lovely little 13.2 who was so safe and dependable. Liked to take things slowly and looked after her rider. She was taken by a large PC family after us and lived there till the day she died of old age. RIP little Misty

PROOF I had to do my own plaits for PC lol

A little bit hairy and yellow here LOL

Once I outgrew Mistly, one of our PC instructors got me Barbie on loan. (what a name!!)
Barbie was a very speedy little pony, loved her jumping, was very bold and was unbeatable at games.
She also went to the same home as Misty after I had outgrown her.
I was so lucky to have her, she was the perfect PC pony and was always used for demos etc as anyone could do anything with her

My plaits have also improved lol

I was so lucky to have both of the special little ponies in my life

 

[Thistle]

We are lucky enough to own the larger 14.2 competition model. Bought her aged 9, she had previously been a boys hunting pony, as brave as a lion and as gentle as a lamb.

We introduced her to girly stuff like going round in circles before you get to jump (eventing!) and also taught her to carry her weight more behind. B has owned her for 51/2 years and gone from doing 2'6" PC to all area open teams (won the points cup in our PC last year) The pony now has passed her PC B test (an was responsible for someone else failing when they weren't sympathetic with her so she stood up and waved!)

She is now successfully eventing BE at Novice level and also qualified to do FEI ponies a few years ago.

I have a waiting list as long as my arm for her, but she is not for sale, luckily B at 17 has stopped growing and at under 9 stone the mare is still happy to carry her.

She cost me £3500 and I have been offered many times that for her. I hope to breed from her in the near future.