Penalised for wearing a body protector

well one class was coloured pony of any type and the other was verteren so surely type doesnt reallt matter in these classes the only thing that could have made such a big difference was the body protecters
 
A coloured class verus a veteran class - you couldn't get much more different it requirements! A coloured class the horse or pony needs to have impeccable conformation, manners, way of going, be turned out correctly and in every sence of the word - be a show horse! A veteran class is pretty much based on which one looks the best for it's age and has remained sound the longest!
 
Surely this is quite simple??

In one class the judge saw a child's pony who could not be trusted with a child on its back without a body protector on.

In the next class, there was a pony who COULD be trusted with a child on its back without a body protector on.

One pony deserves to be placed higher than the other, surely? If they had been identical twin ponies instead of the same pony twice, I might have made the same decision.
 
Gembo said:
was the same pony
Click to expand...

Yes, just like identical twins. I think the body protector reflected on the reliability of the pony. Since the rider had the body protector on in the first class and off in the second, I think the judge was entitled to come to the conclusion that he/she did - that he/she doubted the pony's temperament in the first class when it had a rider - a teenager not a small child - who felt she had to wear a body protector. That doubt was removed in the second class.
 
Last edited:
I'm with cptrays on this. A BP is not an essential piece of kit and generally worn when you fear you're going to fall off and hurt yourself. Especially as many people (including myself) find them restrictive to wear and therefore only wear them if absolutely essential (high risk activity, naughty pony etc). Showing should be as far from highrisk as possible as the pony should be extremely well behaved.

On top of that showing is all about appearances. Looking good is the whole point! And a BP will always ruin the appearance due to it's bulky nature. Also, a BP affects the way you ride and sit, making most riders look uncoordinated and stiff.

And of course, as others said, coloured and veteran are worlds apart in what the judge is looking for in a pony.
 
Gembo said:
well one class was coloured pony of any type and the other was verteren so surely type doesnt reallt matter in these classes the only thing that could have made such a big difference was the body protecters
Click to expand...

You are wrong in your assessment of these classes I'm afraid.

Coloured classes are looking for the best example of a coloured pony. Perfect comformation, clean limbs, no scarring, excellent way of going and impeccable manners. Veterans on the other hand put much less emphasis on conformation and discount scars/lumps/bumps, focusing rather on the pony's health and movement in relation to its age. If your pony is a veteran the signs of his/her age would be counted against you in the coloured class, but would be discounted in the veterans class for the most part.

These classes are judged with entirely different criteria in mind.

I still think that you are basing your assumptions off what one competitor told you, rather than looking at the bigger picture. Next time ask the judge, and you'll know for sure.
 
Personally, one of my pet hates is 'body protectors' on older children/adults at shows. Too much darn cotton wool these days! Doesn't look showy, and as previously said, it hinders riding.
If I were a judge, I'd mark down a 'bp' rider too... doesn't fill you with confidence over the abilty/combination and hate to say it, you can't take it seriously, particually at afilliated shows.
Never used to have the things, we had to either cope with a few knocks and bruises or learn to stay on! - and we didn't sue either, must of been well behaved back then!! lol
 
I don't think anyone should be marked down for taking precautions about their own safety, and I'm quite surprised at the number of people who think that is perfectly reasonable. Nobody knows why the rider is wearing a body protector, it may be the result of an accident they have had in the past that means they have to be careful of their back. It could be that they know of someone who was injured and have decided to take extra precautions themselves. I don't think there is anything wrong with preparing for the unexpected either, that random happening at the showground that results in a horse falling, or spooking, or even a tack failure. To penalise a rider for that, or to make scornful observations about them, seems madness to me.
 
Come on Gembo, fess up - this is another of your wind-ups. You must be sooooooooooo chuffed at how many peeps have taken the time to reply to you. :rolleyes:
 
I generally dont reply to these posts which cause controversy but here goes.

I ride in body protector 100% time whether im schooling my own horse, riding a friends happy hacker or being paid to reschool other horses. I plan to compete in it this year and if anyone says anything I will have to just take it on the chin. I will not put my own safety at risk for appearance. A BP is a personal choice, just like colour of jacket, type of tack etc. If you want to show do your best to look neat and tidy even if that means weraing a larger jacket to fit over the BP. If I get placed at bottom of line up then so be it. Showing is all about that one persons view at that moment in time, dont do it if you dont like controversy and failure on occasions.

the 2 classes you did were very different an do require different things as other have said. And if you not happy speak to judge, dont rant on a forum.
 
Tinypony said:
I don't think anyone should be marked down for taking precautions about their own safety, and I'm quite surprised at the number of people who think that is perfectly reasonable. Nobody knows why the rider is wearing a body protector, it may be the result of an accident they have had in the past that means they have to be careful of their back. It could be that they know of someone who was injured and have decided to take extra precautions themselves. I don't think there is anything wrong with preparing for the unexpected either, that random happening at the showground that results in a horse falling, or spooking, or even a tack failure. To penalise a rider for that, or to make scornful observations about them, seems madness to me.
Click to expand...

You clearly wouldn't last 5 minutes in the showing world! :D It is one of the most bitchy, back stabbing and subjective equestrian sports there is - and by heck it's jolly good fun! :D
 
I have no interest in the showing world. However, as a visibly "nh" style rider and trainer, I've developed a hugely thick skin when it comes to people attempting to bitch and backstab about me.
d020.gif
 
shysmum said:
Come on Gembo, fess up - this is another of your wind-ups. You must be sooooooooooo chuffed at how many peeps have taken the time to reply to you. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

bearing in mind i have been a member of this forum for a few months now and have only put on a about 5 threads i dont see how it could be 'another one of my wind ups '
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top