Junior BSJA - is it worth it?

[maya2008]

Our local unaffiliated shows go up to 1m - they run every other week and are easy to get to. Closest Junior BSJA is an hour and a half away and run every couple of months looking at the websites for the venues.

So…what would we gain from it? Obviously, if my son wants to jump over 1m we’ll have to sign up, but before then? His current pony is 13.2hh and is happy on the horse striding at unaff shows locally. I had her before him and she can easily keep making that striding up to 1m classes.

 

[Squeak]

I think it depends what you and your son want to get out of it. If you’re happy doing the unaff classes and unaff championships then there’s no need to affiliate. You can also qualify for some of the National unaff champs such as trailblazers, David Broome’s champs & sunshine tour if you want to experience some away shows and bigger atmosphere.

If you’re wanting to do more away shows and bigger champs then affiliated would be worth it. It would also give your son and pony a record. However they can often be more pushy and competitive. BS warmups are the worst I’ve ever ridden in - maybe they’ve changed since covid. Affiliated is also more expensive but nothing like the difference in dressage and eventing.

 

[J&S]

From another angle: if your pony had a record and winnings he/she would be worth more if you wanted to sell. I totally appreciate if this is not something you had in mind, just, as I said, another angle.

 

[oldie48]

It's years ago now but we did junior BSJA because we knew the courses were correct for ponies. We had a very good eventing pony and we didn't want him to be faced with a stupid related distance which destroyed his confidence. I think UA is OK but once the fences go up it's not fair to ask a pony to jump a horse course, just my opinion of course. However, when they are just popping round 70/80cm courses it's not such a big deal.