Napping, please help

[workinghunterpony]

Hello,
My daughter's pony has started napping at competitions. I have had him for almost 7 months, but he has recently started napping with her when he goes past the collecting ring/gate. It never happens out hacking, in the sand school, lessons, even if we put another horse by the gate. Only at competitions.
He is very intelligent pony, done a lot of BSJA and really knows his stuff.
When they come past the collecting ring he drops his head, turns for it and bucks, leaving her on his neck helpless.
She tries to give him a sharp smack as they go past the fences, but when he dunks his head there is really nothing she can do.
i am getting his back checked out this week, anyone have any suggestions? This only happens when in the ring itself. Maybe just taking advantage? She is still quite small on him.
Hopefully someone can help, he is a fantastic pony and it really breaks both of our hearts when we see this happen.
Thanks

 

[now_loves_mares]

Not sure what size he is and the age of your daughter, but have you thought about grass reins?

 

[workinghunterpony]

he is 13.2hh, my daughter is a small thirteen almost 14 year old girl, pretty experienced

 

[Bettyboo222]

Has she tried shortening her reins and tightening the inside rein about 2/3 strides before the collecting ring then keeping leg on past ? Like you said with her being an experienced rider I'm sure its not a stregnth issue

 

[Bouquet]

The journey of horsemanship is only about the horse presenting us with puzzles to solve. Otherwise, one should ride a bike or something.

No need to be sad about the nappy pony, therefore! Daughter must decide whether she truly wants to learn from the pony.

 

[AmyMay]

How often is he competing and being ridden and schooled?

Sounds like it's no fun for him - hence the napping.

 

[workinghunterpony]

thank you everyone for your advice.
Pony is being ridden everyday, and we have worked out that on an arena, he is perfect- jumps anything, no sign of napping.

On the grass rings, however, he was still ducking his shoulder going away from home.
We are fortunate to have found a lovely lady who is really helping us and believes in our pony, we've been xc schooling, practiced in the sand school and he is being as good as gold.
Last weekend he tried the nap again, although he was pulled up sharply by a friend who said she'd ride him in a competition and had a great big smack - and he hasn't done it again! We are so thrilled!

So it was a clever pony who found a weakness in my daughter's riding, but thanks to some very kind people, problem is solved!
thanks again, everyonr±