Pony club, Height of pony to Rider age rules

nic85

nic85

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I'm asking in here as it may be a competing thing or a general rule, I'm not sure!

My son has been around horses/ponies all his life, he is now 6 and showing a keen interest in learning to ride. We have at the moment a pony to ride but it is a lead rein pony only and there is no way he is to go off the lead rein on this pony as it gets stroppy, he is limited in what he can do on him and as its not our pony I am limited too!
My OH thinks we would be better off getting him his own pony to learn on, which there is one I know of that I think could be a good option, the only hang up is she's approx. 13hh ( but not a big 13hh, think show pony type)
My son wants to do pony club and I was informed (correctly or otherwise, this is what I'm trying to find out) that children under 10 cannot ride anything bigger than 12.2hh.......although I've now been told that rule refers to mounted games competitions?!
Now I have traipsed through the Pony Club website to find rules etc. and the only reference to height is rider weight must not exceed XYZ on a pony less than 123...... Am I correct is thinking that as long as the rider is not over horsed by weight/height/ability that he would be ok to do pony club on something over 12.2hh?

Thanks!
 
I don't know the answer to your question but I can say I did pony club mounted games on a 14.2 when I was between 11 and 15. Yes I was on a bigger pony than most but that is what I had and noone ever said it was too big. Maybe they have brought different rules in since.

I would suggest ringing the pony club you are thinking of joining up and ask them for guidance. I thought they now said suitable for the height and weight of rider rather than certain ages being on certain heights but I'm not sure.
 
He can ride what ever he likes as long as you and him are happy. It's not uncommon for kids to steal their parents horse for rallies if theirs can't make it.
 
What dh said! For some affiliated stuff he would need a smaller pony but a slightly bigger pony with longer strides makes it a lot easier to learn to do the up-downs on and things, and if she's safe as well you're onto a winner- he'll be still on her at 10, and winning everything!
 
No problem with height in Pony Club, or even mounted games although for ease of using the equipment its easier to ride a smaller pony! There is a weight limit in mounted games above which the child has to move up from a 12.2 but I can't remember what that weight is. Doesn't apply in this case though!
 
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