Riding prodigy at age 4

I think he just does what every other riding school owner's kid can do by that age, ride!
All of mine were off the lead and following us on hacks etc from toddler stage, so it's nothing impressive other than his parents are clued up re publicity.
The whip is actually pretty necessary when you're only tiny, your legs don't go past the flaps...mine all had schooling whips (shock horror) and one of these days I will put up a bit of video that will have you all in stitches, I took it when all three were playing on the pony in the arena , it shows the two boys struggling to get the idle pony to move, and one of them cracking a huge lunge whip on the floor, which the pony totally ignores.. Then CCJ arrives, gets on idle pony and proceeds aged three to fly round the arena with ease.. they both would have liked to use the whip on her but knew I was filming so didn't dare..
I think it's great this boy is enjoying his riding but wonder how long it will last, once boys have to tack up themselves and groom they tend to give up and go mountain biking instead...
 
I know the pony and the old owners well and its wonderful to see Pickles doing so well in his new home. They havent had him that long, only a few months and he and the little lad have obviously gelled really well.

You actually dont get the idea of just how tiny the little boy really is! I was surprosed when they came to try him that he is so small and was expecting to see a child just being led about on the leadrein but he really is a special little rider, even on a strange pony he was so confident - riding him and not just being a passenger. In this case it isnt all down to the pony!

I hope they both do really well and good on them for getting sponsorship.
 
I tried to leave a comment on the story about riding being an accident waiting to happen at any age and that lots of children have just as much ability as a 30 yr old beginner at that age!!

Unfortunately It kept erroring at me.....
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Success at 2 - the only thing I can think of is lead rein? Isn't there a minimum age for these things?
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IMO I wondered if the background would be pushy parents, but nothing in the reporting indicated that in all fairness. But competing that young - is it really in the best interests of the child? Wouldn't he rather be messing about? Competing can be a long day out, and could a 4 year old really concentrate on a 2 hour lesson? Not alltogether sure I approve but I can't fault the pictures or text so
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Kids can have brilliant balance and trust their intuition a lot more than adults, and perhaps this is a lovely example of that.
 
Parents really arent pushy at all, they seem very nice too. I think this is just a very enthusiastic child lucky to be being brought up in an experienced horsey family.
 
Beating adults? That is not difficult as adults jumping those classes may have ridden for less time then him or be bringing on youngsters (which are crazy at times!)

It seems like he won a few leadrein classes and then the media span it off!
 
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Beating adults? That is not difficult as adults jumping those classes may have ridden for less time then him or be bringing on youngsters (which are crazy at times!)

[/ QUOTE ]

He's got a M&M pony (and a very pretty one) so no reason why he shouldn't have competed successfully in M&M showing classes, where he might well be up against adults. i have to say, I'd hate to be the adult on a big M&M up against an adorable little cute kid on a cute pony - i'd think i might as well just go home !

I haven't actually ever seen an adult in a lead-rein jumping class.
 
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I haven't actually ever seen an adult in a lead-rein jumping class.

[/ QUOTE ] Round here there are often minimus jumping classes where riders can be led or assisted, so you often get little tots on the leading rein jumping against adults in the same class!
 
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