Pony taking advantage of young rider-help!

[Aoibhinn]

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible so ease bear with me have a 13.2h gelding, usually an absolute saint when jumping, be it cross country or show jumping. He was previously ridden by my sister who got him when she was 12 and had him 3 years. He flew round all novice hunter trial courses and 1m show jumping. Now my younger sister (10) has taken over the reins. She has popped around U12 hunter trial courses, 60/70cm show jumping etc. last week took him out to her first 'proper' huntertrial and did the training course. This week went to our local HT, training competition was more like novice but figured pony would be fine. Fence 6 earned a run out, as did fence 12. Both very straightforward fences, child in tears, wouldn't try again so had to walk her back to the box. Once she calmed down they both went out to attempt U12 course. Led her over fences 1-3, jumped 4 & 5 on her own. At fence 6 pony decided he wasn't having any of it and ran out. Did the same at fence 7. I caught him and led her over fences and he did them perfectly.

Soooo...this is very unusual for this pony, normally very well behaved when ridden. Is it a case of him realising he can get away with it? Would getting a stronger rider to sort him out a few times help? Any advice appreciated!

P.S wasn't very brief after all, sorry!

 

[be positive]

It sounds as if your younger sister is not yet ready to move up a level, she is 2 years younger than your other sister was when she started on him and may not be as confident or ready to do so much, however good the pony is they will either take advantage or sense lack of commitment and put in the odd stop, only a saint would go if the rider is really tentative.

I think you probably need to let his new rider progress at a slightly slower rate so as to build up her confidence and try and avoid the pony picking up bad habits, I don't think he is doing any more than testing her or actually doing as he is told if she is holding him back or giving mixed signals so putting another rider on will make little difference if she is not truly committed to jumping, bursting into tears when it goes wrong, rather than getting cross and trying again, is usually a sign they are not ready and lack confidence.

Just to add taking over an older siblings pony can be overwhelming, they want to do well and live up to perceived expectations, make sure she knows that she is not expected to do anything she is not ready for and having fun is far more important than winning.

 

[Orangehorse]

The pony and your elder sister grew up together and there is a lot of difference in strength and riding ability between a 15 year old and a 10 year old. This is often a problem when taking over successful ponies.

The 10 year old has got to learn to ride him, not just sit and expect him to do it by himself, so stick to very low and easy fences and make sure the 10 year old is well in her comfort zone and build a partnership. Don't give up so easily!

I have personal knowledge of 2 14.2 hh champion ponies, that did well nationally. In both cases they reached their success with one rider who had schooled and competed them for all their career. When they were outgrown they were advertised for sale for lots of money - they had the record, they had done well. Both ponies were repeatedly sold and returned as people were paying a lot of money, plonking the new rider on and expecting to go out next week and win, but of course that didn't happen. It takes time.

You know the pony is genuine, give it a bit of time.