Is it wrong?!

^^^ lots of excellent advice already, especially the PC stuff. IF you ride well enough and are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you will get noticed.
Eventing is horrifically expensive. there is no way around that. If your parents have plenty of disposable income and are happy to fund your fun, great. But, don't let pony eventing become an obsession. I hate to be a bore, but concentrate on your school work. Good qualifications are always something to rely on later in life.
Very very few kids are in the right situation with a pony good enough to do it. And, it's not essential either, if you want to become a good rider of horses when you are old enough. Plenty of top riders did not do pony eventing, for various reasons.
 
Good on you for coming clean but also for having a dream ! I really agree with contacting your local PC as you don't have to*own a pony to join and there are a few people out there with ponies they don't want to sell or can't and the PC can help you. Have a look at the Pony Club uk website and find branches close to you. Have a look at their home pages there is always an ad or two for ponies needing riders.

Get a bit of experience under your belt and meet other kids your age with similar dreams. Work and learn hard and have some fun. Good luck and let us know how you get on and don't lose your dream;)
 
So I'm going to be tactless and ask . . .do your parents have that kind of money to spend? Or, more correctly, to lose? I think your estimate, if you pursue the goals you are thinking about, are very low but there are clearly lots of families out there who CAN spend that kind of money on their children's hobbies.

If your parents NEED to make it back, then don't lie to them about that possibility! I presume they aren't going to drop 20k on your say so but even so, it's awful to tell people things you know aren't true just to get what you want.

Which brings me to my next point . . .if you DO have the money to pursue this then you will probably meet a few people who will tell you things they know are not true to get what THEY want. You need to have someone who has YOUR best interests at heart and will guide you accordingly. This goes for your neck as well as your money, btw.

So why not get in touch with the people who run the Pony program. Ask THEIR advice about what you need to do. Discuss lease options - no question the cheapest and most reliable way (which is not saying much, to be fair) to get a good ride outside of buying it. Ask if your parents will at least speak to those sorts of people about your goals/plans/dreams to see if the might be able to make something work.

If you parents cannot afford it that sucks but that's life. I would bet you many - most - of the people on here have been "you" at some point and the vast, vast majority have had to come to the cold realization that we don't always get what we want. There are still many ways to ride and enjoy and even compete.
 
I don't mean to be patronising but I love this thread, it totally reminds me of myself at 13, I was totally obsessed and came up with lots of different schemes to try and convince my parents to fund me, though it never worked.

OP, I was very similar to you, but my focus was on dressage. I tried many times to convince my parents to invest in me, they had the sense not too! Ride as much as you can, work as hard as you can at school and see what happens. The idea you have come up with is not realistic, as lovely as it would be if it worked.

You sound like you have a lot of drive and determination and if you really want to do it one day you will.
 
It's wiered because the high level stuff like burghley and badminton don't interest me (I say that, it does just not as much). I'm way more interested with the u25 side if things and swing pony riders, juniors and young riders going to europeans. I've emailed my local PC (blankney) but there are no horses for loan or in need of a rider. I know there are plenty of ponies out there but they just never seem to be in the right place at the right time.
Not sure how much my mum earns but my dad is like 72k (sorry if its innapropriate to put on here but feel like its necessary for this thread)
And not sure how much my mum gets
 
Have you spoken to your parents about where you want to go with your riding ?
Are you able to find your own pony either buy or loan obviously with your parents help and consent.

At this stage it doesn't need to be a world beater but a genuine pc pony capable of doing a bit of everything. I am not sure how much you ride and who the pony you are riding belongs to ? Do either of your parents ride ? :)
 
The pony I ride belongs to a local riding school. He's only ridden by a few people but definitely has potential. My parents don't ride although my mum used to up until she was 12. She too wanted a pony but not I the stage he wanted to compete.
Does anyone have any ideas about what I should do next?
 
Be honest with your parents tell them you really enjoy riding and would like to do more and perhaps either with your own pony or one you could find to loan. If your mum used to ride she may want to help you. Unless you speak to them about it you cannot move forward. Explain it calmly and ask how and if it can happen. Go from there and see where it goes.
 
i'm sorry but I think you need to be realistic and go back a giant leap- if i'm correct you currently ride a pony at a riding school who has potential to do competing. but your jumping ahead to the idea of producing a top class 20k+ horse. sounds like to me you are letting your dream get a bit carried away. its great to have ambitions, but I also seriously doubt, unless they are loaded, you parents could fund all your plans.
from a realistic view I think you should look for a share or loan that you are allowed to compete, join a riding club ect. I hate to doubt your abilities, I don't know you, but perhaps really you are just desperate for a pony of your own to compete? my parents certainly didn't get me my first horse as they thought they could get money from it, they did it because I loved riding and horses, and they did not have extra money to take me out to shows regularly.
why not ask advice about a more realistic plan, there are loads of people on here who can advise you. ultimately it will be about money, as sadly they cost a lot to keep
 
I guess I'm scared though- scared they'll say no and that will be the end. My dream, just gone
 
Don't ask and you'll never realise your dream ! perhaps start at the beginning and not at the end with the european pony ! All you can do is bring the subject up with them. It won't get resolved overnight but we all start somewhere. For what its worth my parents said no but many years later I am doing it and loving all of it.
 
I hate to say it, OP, but that is how life is for 99.9% of people. There are different dreams. dieseldog is right, you can get a lot of pleasure out of attaining different goals with ponies/horses.
Pony eventing is a HUGE commitment/investment for anyone. Even if you did manage to get a pony who was good enough, would you mum and/or dad be happy to give up their weekends to drive you and the pony all over the country to events? It's a huge thing to ask. Do you have any siblings? Would they be happy to go along or are they likely to want support to do their chosen hobbies too?
We all had dreams and sometimes finances/situation/luck/whatever curtailed those dreams. Years ago I had an absolutely great horse, we were storming round Advanced courses, eating our only 3* CCI xc for breakfast, and I walked Burghley that autumn 100% convinced that we would be there the next year. Due to no fault of mine or hers, it did not happen. It was just very tough luck, which is what tends to happen with horses!
Now, 13 years on, I am even further from that dream and have pretty much accepted that it won't ever happen in spite of literally decades of trying to breed and/or produce a horse to that level. So, I have rewritten my dreams a little.
You are aiming incredibly high... and really, very very few kids of your age are in the position to do pony eventing. Unless their parents are HUGELY steeped in Eventing, it's not easy... and even if they are, it's not guaranteed!
 
sez1 said:
I guess I'm scared though- scared they'll say no and that will be the end. My dream, just gone
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Don't think like that. You probably need to revise your dream to a more realistic version. Life sadly is not like a Jilly Cooper novel.

But being realistic doesn't mean giving up.

As TS has said, most of us have probably been in your shoes at one point. Very few people are lucky enough to have parents who are able to support a serious competition career.

Will you get to do pony eventing? Well perhaps not if your parents can't or won't fund it. But keep working on your riding, keep saving and keep trying hard. Even if you don't get your dream of pony eventing, you'll get some great experience along the way and one day you'll be able to get your own horse to compete.
 
sez1 said:
What about a pony? That she could do pony trials on. I know that at that level (novice/1*) ponies go for loads if they've gone DC at pony trials and CCNP**. Especially ponies that have done europeans can go for up to 75k
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I did a 14.2hh a couple of years ago, purchased for £1600, sold less than 9 months later for £5.5k, did a couple of intro and then jumped round first PN clear xc got her advertised straight away and had loads of interest ( I did drop my price considerably for the right home too, she was advertised at £8.5k and we had 6 people try her within a week).
I would do another (if I was still 9 stone7lb!) but I think the market is a bit saturated now with overpriced average horses/ponies and too many idiots who think they are the next Pippa Funnell.

ETA the pony was originally bought for my step daughter but they just didn't get on, so I took over the pony, if I didn't struggle to be light I would still be zipping around on her now.
 
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You sound determined and that's definitely a start! It's so tough in this sport - you need a lucky break to make it work! I am a mum but I love eventing - so I don't mind giving up my weekends to chauffeur around etc. But if it were for a different sport - say car racing or whatever - I wouldn't give up all my time. And despite me loving horses and my family doing everything we can the dream can't be realised - you need an abundace of luck and cash to do that. Even if you did get a pony - where would you keep it? Have you got a livery yard? A trainer? A lorry? - (you need to stay overnight at trials) - good venues nearby? It's tough. I'd start with a good PC pony. Not a world beater, but something to show you the ropes and take you to your first BEs on tickets and work from there. PM me - I know of one like this for loan but owner doesn't want it to go too far and he's a special one so needs the right home! Good luck though - you never know - chances are 1 in 10000 - but you could be that one! :D
 
Why not get a part time job and start saving for a pony of your own? It will show your parents that your dedicated and are putting some work in to getting a pony rather than just wanting them to invest with the vague hope of making a profit. I think you could increase the pony's value whilst you have it but I think you will struggle to make a profit once you factor in its keep as well and even then you are going to need lots of lessons with a good instructor along the way. But if you have a part time job that will cover some costs then your parents may be happy to help you with the rest of it.

I think loads of people on here would have loved to do the same as you want to but sadly its not realistic for the vast majority. As others have said the PC stuff is brilliant and it gives you a bit longer to work up the levels as you have until your in your 20's. You could aim for pc champs and all sorts which would give you a brilliant experience of a big show without the massive costs of affiliated eventing.
 
Bless you sez1 for coming clean, it all makes a lot more sense now, and I'm so glad you aren't some pushy Mummy trying to make money out of their kid :D

Look, it is a really tough sport to get started in but if you want it enough you will get there! However, you may have to be a bit patient and play a long game... My advice would be to try to get involved by helping out to start with, what area is the Blankney? Perhaps someone on here will know some eventing folks in the u18 ranks which you could go to events and help with, and start to learn the ropes. I know it isn't the same as doing it yourself but it's a start. When you are a little older, you will be able to do work experience at eventing yards, and work as a WP to further your knowledge and training. It will take longer but it is possible to get there. The very best of luck, keep pushing :)
 
If you approach your parents with a completely unrealistic plan they are more likely to dismiss you. It's far better to be honest with yourself now and this will give you a better chance of convincing your parents.

If you have never competed before you need a first competition pony. Something that has been there, done that and got the t-shirt to teach you the ropes. An older pony would be perfectly fine and although you have the cost of purchase the good news is that good ponies keep their value and you should be able to re-sell in a few years.

Also do a proper business plan. Write down all the costs, e.g. livery, farrier, insurance, lessons, transport to shows, entry fees, etc. Take on a part-time job now and save money. It may only cover a tiny amount of costs but it will show your parents your commitment. Also plan practicalities, like how you will get to the stables, when you will find time to ride in the winter, etc.

Finally if your parents say they cannot afford a pony, be realistic. A lot of people had to wait until they were adults before they could afford a horse (me included) it's not the end of the world. Meanwhile ride as much as you can, offer to help people at your yard and get as much experience as possible.
 
sez1

If your parents say no the chances are it's not a lack of desire on their part. My eldest son had international potential in another sport & we supported him all we could but the time needed to take him to competitions alone, which were all over the UK & would very soon have been all over the world etc was not compatable with earning the money to pay for it. To give you a clue of his potential he used to come up against someone who has since won Olympic gold & beat him half the time. Another kid he used to beat regularly competes for England. Most of the kids of his era have either given up or just compete at low level for fun. Both the kids who got on had very wealthy parents, my son didn't. It still hurts that he couldn't take things as far as he could but that is life & I confess I had a tiny bit of a tear when his sport was on in the Olympics this year out of sheer frustration at the unfairness of life. But you just have to pull yourself together, suck it up & make the most of what you can.

I also suspect your estimates are a bit light. Eg that total will probably buy you a suitable lorry & nothing else, not even 1 years tax, insurance & a tank of diesel, let alone a pony to put in it. Even if they have the money do they have the time? Presumably they have that inconvenient time bandit known as a job to earn the £. Do you have any brothers & sisters who also have a claim on their time (let alone need money spending on them)? If yes, if they spend that much on you is it fair for them to go without/spend all weekend trailing up & down the country watching you compete for a few minutes?
 
Sez, thankyou for coming clean.
There is nothing wrong in having dreams but part of growing up is realising which are achievable and which will stay dreams. Whilst I appreciate your passion in reality it is hugely expensive and extremely risky, there are far more horses/ponies that fail to make the grade than the ones that go on to make mega money. I'm afraid if my 13yr old presented me with your plan I would very quickly knock it on the head, a horse is a luxury and your parents will have other commitments such as a mortgage, feeding, clothing etc you and your siblings if you have any.
Work hard, take every opportunity to ride and compete, work hard and ultimately have fun. Life gets all too serious very quickly. Every 6 months write a list of goals, do make them realistic then cross them off when you achieve them even if it something silly. Good luck.
 
Having read the whole thread now I will respond again. OP some people are lucky and they work hard, some people just work hard! I don't want to crush your dreams but I was in a far more fortunate position than you are at your age and even with the ponies, the ability and the support network I didn't get anywhere other than Riding club champs! That's life and I fear that you are going to be so far behind the curve with competition experience it will be impossible to achieve this particular goal.
 
Baggybreeches said:
That's life and I fear that you are going to be so far behind the curve with competition experience it will be impossible to achieve this particular goal.
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This - most of these kids have been riding since they were babies (literally - mine sat on a pony for the first time the day after she first arrived home from hospital!) and competing since around 4 years old. This sport is all about experience - look at the Olympic teams - they're mostly all middle aged. Obviously cash being a bigger factor than that though. Why don't you set lots of short terms goals of doing PC etc now, and your first few competitions. And set a longer term goal for maybe 5 years time to do something like PC open champs? They are a real hoot and there's a great atmosphere there. And do PM me re pony for loan - need your approx location as owner wants it close to home. Keep going though - and remember - if you never try you'll never know!
 
Spoke to my friend who has competed ponies for years now. She was on the euro team 2011 and is still competing ponies today. Her old pony had been to withington, brand hall and weston park in the autumn.
I asked her about valuing and she said a pony under 10 that had been to brand hall could reach up to 30,000
 
^ I don't think the question is whether those ponies are likely to reach the money :) it's whether you are likely to find and produced one of those ponies!

I think you have had some excellent advice. Good luck- keep trying, but do keep in mind that unfortunately life isnt always what we want no matter how hard we strive.
 
sez1 said:
Spoke to my friend who has competed ponies for years now. She was on the euro team 2011 and is still competing ponies today. Her old pony had been to withington, brand hall and weston park in the autumn.
I asked her about valuing and she said a pony under 10 that had been to brand hall could reach up to 30,000
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Yes. But those ponies are few and far between, and a bit idealistic. As far as I can think, there's only one person who was on the team then and still doing ponies now and she's a bit of a rare one in how good she is and the level of support and backing she has from her parents/ relatives (I think...).

Are your parents at all horsey?
 
What is she called?
And no my parents aren't horsey although my mum would love to own a horse and my auntie produces youngsters and competes at medium advanced BD
 
sez1 said:
I asked her about valuing and she said a pony under 10 that had been to brand hall could reach up to 30,000
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Again - this is only a few. There are always the odd one or two that could fetch loads. Most don't. And it is hugely difficult to get a pony there - even if you and the pony are experienced. I suggest maybe have a chat to a couple of the girls who have produced their own ponies to this level from scratch. Most have a professional set up (their own yard, school etc), a lorry, a great trainer... Most importantly they have a wealth of experience themselves, and experienced parents too. It is a huge deal of hard work. It is definitely advisable to get some experience first. It's really not a case of just getting the pony and trying really hard - the pony needs to be good and quite frankly, so do you. You can't expect a pony to understand what you're trying to teach it if you don't know yourself! There are SO many ponies out there that don't make it anywhere near that level. Aim to get some competition experience first. Lay the foundations right and don't rush it. :)
Just a thought - could you ask your friend who does ponies to put you in touch with someone who has self-produced their mounts (if your friend didn't herself) - if she's gone to the Europeans she must be pretty well known on the circuit and would definitely have some friends who have done it. Have a chat with them - they'll give you a pretty accurate picture of how really, truly difficult it is. Or maybe drop TableDancer a PM? To my knowledge she is pretty experienced in the FEI pony scene - the most so out of all the HHOers.
Any luck with the parents on a first pony...?
 
Sez you are not listening! It's a team effort you can't do it on your own if you don't have horsey parents then the only other way is to spend money and I think you would be very surprised how quickly you can get through £20k even without buying a pony/transport & paying livery. Enjoy your riding and focus on working hard
 
And there's always the scenario where you win European gold, the pony is sold for megabucks subject to vet, and then it injures itself in the field and is worthless.....

You need to forget convincing your parents this is a great way to make money - it isn't. And if your father is on the kind of salary you mentioned, he'll be smart enough to know that.

The problem with all the pony/junior/young rider stuff is that the window is so short in terms of the time you have to get the pony, get to know the pony, do the competitions you need to in order to qualify for the competitions that will in turn qualify you for the championships. Realistically, the people who produce ponies from scratch to that level in those time frames have a) very experienced parents or b) very rich parents, or c) both. And likely they've owned and ridden more experienced ponies first, so they know what they are aiming for.

You've been given loads of great advice about how to get involved on this thread, but I fear you won't get anywhere with your parents if you keep trying to convince them they'll make money doing this - they likely know the exact opposite is true!
 
Right well I think the plan from here is:
1- speak to parents about getting a pony of my own and the business plan (as someone suggested) with all the prices on
2-look out for loans and sales of 14.2hh PC ponies that have had experience within the pony club at 90cm/1m level
3- sign up to PC and take part in rallies and take part in a few low key events
These are my aims for this year so far. Are these realistic enough?
 
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