Kendra

[KDaly]

Hi, I am looking for a first pony for my 8 year daughter (avg height, very slim athletic build). She has been having lessons for a couple of years, regularly tacks/untacks and having recently passed the Pony Club D Test had her first jumping lesson last week but was a bit tearful when the pony got excited and took off (she did stay on!).
Anyway, my question is whether a 14 year old 13.2hh German Riding Pony would be suitable for her to grow with and hopefully compete on when she is ready, or whether this is too big/too old? We would do a working livery at our local riding school.
Thanks!

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Hello - this is a how long is a piece of string question as every rider/pony combination has to be looked at separately. Personally - to preserve confidence and grow ability of your daughter I would go for a slightly smaller pony which she can totally handle on the ground and get on and off easily and enjoy. If you have Pony Club contacts there may be a suitable pony for loan which means you aren't buying and selling ponies of various sizes as your daughter grows. Also don't rush into buying the first pony you see (experience talking here!) try lots the right one will make itself known.

 

[be positive]

13.2 would be bigger than my choice for a first pony, especially for a child who is not yet very confident, a RS pony is usually quieter than a pony from a private home unless it has been doing the job as a safe first pony already
I would either look for a true first ridden that she will grow out of and be prepared to sell on and replace in a year or two or wait until she is more confident before buying anything, could you loan or share a RS pony for a while many yards will do a deal over the winter when they possibly do less.
I am always very wary about children growing into ponies, fine if they are confident and the pony is very kind but it can go horribly wrong with the child losing interest if it all becomes too challenging, a riding pony type is often more like a mini tb they have big movement, quick reactions and may be a big step up for a first pony.

 

[KDaly]

Thank you both, really helpful advice!

 

[Shay]

My daughter's first pony is 13.2 - she was 7 and slight. But he was - and remains - a total angel. Her little legs didn't reach beyond the edge of the saddle flap so she couldn't even put her leg on properly. However he remains ours for life and is now teaching his 3rd generation of young pony clubbers on shares / loans. (She is now 15 and onto eventers) That is the sort of pony you really need. Age doesn't matter terribly - ponies live to their mid 30's and continue in working life pretty much as long. You can manage a taller pony that is good to handle on the ground. Sometimes the smaller ones get really pushy on the ground as the young owners can't deal with them suitably. Pony Club contacts are an excellent way forward - and taking a loan initially is also a really good iodea. there are many PC families like us with top flight first (and second!) ponies available for shares and loans. But you may have problems wanting to keep a loan pony on working livery. It will work for some and I'm sure there are great experiences out there. But a lot of people - myself included - won't put a good pony on loan to that sort of environment.