Riding/ competing stallions?

[juliehannah58]

Wondered what your views are on this subject....(also in CR)

I rode my trainers stallion on Saturday, he was excellent and very straight-forward, albeit getting a bit noisy and excited when a group of mares were lead past the arena. He's only 4 BTW.

This was the first time I have ever ridden a stallion, but I mainly ride mares which my trainer seemed to think was a good base for stallions...We are looking to start competing him and I wondered if anyone has found any specific problems or has tips for competing and riding stallions in general? In warm up's etc?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, at the moment I think the biggest problem will be his attention span if there are any nice looking mares around.....

 

[viola]

I competed my two stallions (Trakehner and anglo-arab) in show jumping in 1998-2004, travelled them with mares, geldings and other stallions with no problems.
Warm ups - they were both quite vocal and could be a little 'visual' as well

I warmed up as normal just paying attention to where I positioned the boy's head (i.e. not in someone's mare's bum). If they were a bit excited I would warm up in the quietest bit of warm up whenever possible.
Saying all that, they were both always well socialised, turned out every day, were able to see other horses and were kept in stables with mares and geldings (no grills, just stables well distanced from one another).

I have also ridden and competed young stallions taking part in 100 days performance tests (outside the UK) and they were like any other horses - just a bit more vocal.

Having ridden mares, geldings and stallions I would choose a stallion every time.

 

[Damien]

Red white and blue ribbons plaited into his tail and stallion badges on bridles.

Just so that everyone knows that he is entire.

Many unaffilated shows do not allow stallions so check out individual venues shows rules and regulations. Of course for BSJA he must be graded and must have passed his BSJA ridden jumping assessment.

In all fairness I wouldn't allow a rider that has not had previous experience riding and competing a stallion in public especially on first outings for the safety of a) my rider b) My stallion and c) other people/horses safety.

It's mainly because of all the accidents that inexperienced stallion riders had with stallions getting loose and causing mahem that the BSJA implemented the stallion assessment. Not saying that you are an inexperienced or an irrisponsible rider or not compitent of managing a stallion in public but would certainly never put a member of staff or other peoples safety at risk like that, it's a law suit waiting to happen if something goes wrong.

 

[juliehannah58]

Thanks for all the info, very interesting!

My trainer is very experienced and owns a lot of stallions and up till last year competed them too but unfortunately a shattered pelvis put a stop to that

But at least I would have him on hand all the time to help us.

Opie, question for you, this stallion was graded and licenced in Ireland - does he have to be re-evaluated for BSJA??

I have seen such incidents at BSJA shows and have a few times almost been mowed down by a loose stallion so I know exactly what you are talking about! Fortunately this stallion in question is very sensible and when competing in Ireland always travelled in a trailer with a mare so he is very level headed.

Still, I will heed all advice given, thanks

 

[Damien]

Honestly don't know, I think it's only for stallions Graded in the UK that are commencing their BSJA careers, I'm sure at the time of registration if they have any queries or want him to complete the Ridden assessment they will let the owners know.
Keep us posted with the progress