Rules info required for adult competitor on 14.2

[Cazwhit]

I'm thinking of buying a 14.2hh Welsh D for myself and my children to ride/compete. (I am only 5'1'.)
What are the general rules regarding age limits for adults competing in SJ/XC/WH/Dr? I don't want my kids to have to compete against adults either if I buy a 14.3+.
Can anyone advise me?

 

[sachak]

get it measured down and your kids can compete it as a pony but if you are riding it most unaff shows say that if your an adult on a pony you have to jump the horse classes... check the rules for the particular shows

 

[stencilface]

I think in unaffialiated your are fine to ride whatever size you want in any class - not sure about all the registered bodiee - they probably all have slightly different rules?

I would say that adults can't ride ponies BSJA, but I don't think thats true, just that adults can do junior classes (obviously!!) but can compete senior on any height horse. I am ready to be told I'm wrong on that one!!

 

[Jane_Lou]

I have a 14.2 who is ridden by adults. You will be able to compete in ridden M&M's, dressage including trailblazers and at most local shows SJ and most ridden shows. You can't complete in trailblazer SJ 2nd rounds as adults have to be on over 14.2's but we do all the local qualifiers, just don't do the trailblazers memberships thing. Some showing classes (WHP etc) are restricted by age. BE requires ponies to be over 142cm and most RC and local stuff follows those rules. For your childrens sake I would go for 14.2 and under as otherwise they will (on occassions) be forced to compete against adults - but then I am biased and being the same height as you, have never really got into horses and at the grand old age of 40 still have 4 ponies!

 

[pocket]

Welsh D's are the best ponies for us shorties! You will have no problem competing the pony as an adult. I competed mine until he passed away 3 years ago at unaffilliated shows, one day events etc and also affiliated at PUK/NPS shows which have no age limit unless specified, but MM classes, you wont have any problem.

They are great fun ponies and as soon as I'm fit, I'm getting another one

Good luck and enjoy

 

[Spyda]

[ QUOTE ]
....but can compete senior on any height horse

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're right on that one.

Don't know if the BSJA rules have changed since my days as a junior (back in the Stone Age

) but I used to jump a 14.1 pony as a JC but within too short a time I was out of Juniors. Can't remember how I went about it now registration wise (it was a while ago), but know I had absolutely no problem with the BSJA jumping him in B & C classes the following year. I'm only 5'1" as well and felt comfortable staying on my pony a bit longer than average. And he could jump the tracks so I just kept on with him.

Can't see there would be a disadvantage whatsoever to riding a 14.2 as an adult.

 

[c7mlm]

you can only jump BSJA up to the end of the year in which you turn 16yo on a pony

 

[Cazwhit]

Thanks very much, I've had some really informative replies to my first ever post on any site!
Can you advise re buying a Sec D? I've been out of the loop for 9yrs (when my son was born), but have broken & schooled previously. How sensible are Sec d's generally, if I decided to break one myself? My last horse was a TB, who could not be left unridden for more than a week, and I don't want to go down that road again. (I was overhorsed too, as she was supposed to be 15.3, but grew to 16.2!)

 

[SpruceRI]

Hi Cazwhit - welcome to the HHO world, you will soon be addicted and won't have time for your kids

I've got 2 Welsh D's and had 3 in total, so not exactly a pro on the matter but have some comments to make.

I think they can be quite pushy and shovey, as they're demonstrative and bold in personality. Not that they intend to harm you mind you! My first gelding whom I bought when he was 7 certainly had little in the manners department!

My older mare is 15yrs old, and I bought her at 2yrs. She's wouldn't dream of shoving you out the way though, neither is she going to drag you about like some do.

And then my youngster who's now 3yrs old, she's more the shovey type, but I'm working on it

I think it's fair to say that all 3 are/were sensitive in their own way. Welsh D number 2 is very very spooky, and was very difficult to break in as she was so frightened of everything. D No 1 was quite spooky but incredibly lazy with it. He took a long time to teach manners to and always had an element of bolshiness around him.

Cob number 3, the filly, is very bold and sensible, nosey but friendly, and keen to learn.

What I can say about all of them is that they are/were very sensitive.

They want to please so get easily upset if you constantly tell them off and they don't feel they warranted it

Once you've gained their trust they'll try their best for you

They're intelligent and a little cheeky

They make fantastic allrounders

And if you can get a youngster you can mould it yourself and iron out any little misdemeanours before they escalate, but only take one on if you're sure you can discipline them, as they'll walk all over you otherwise!

Good luck

 

[Spyda]

Can you no longer register a pony as a 'horse' for horse classes, then? Know an adult can't ride a registered JC or JA affiliated, but when I was young I changed my JC's registration with the BSJA to be able to ride him as a 'horse' as a 'Grade C'. Would be a shame if this is no longer possible.

 

[Spyda]

Section D's are often lots of fun, clever, forward going and keen. I love them crossed with a TB for a XC horse.

[ QUOTE ]
My last horse was a TB, who could not be left unridden for more than a week, and I don't want to go down that road again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I picked up that you were maybe thinking of buying another youngster and backing him/her yourself? The thing I picked up on was in your comment above, about you not wanting/being able to ride every week. Maybe a slightly older horse might be better in this case? Something that still needs schooling on so you can mold him, but is not right at the very beginning of its education. Although you might not be doing a lot of hours in the saddle riding a young horse initially, most youngsters benefit from short regular periods of training to keep things fresh in their mind and ease them through the early stages of their new role in life. Might not be so easy for either of you if you're having to leave a week between training sessions. Only a thought.

 

[Madasmaz]

I think you can do Le Tec and endurance on any sized pony or horse as an adult. I'm looking into that as I have a 14hh 1/4 inch New Forrest. I'm aiming to buy my own transport next year at which point I will join the NFP Enthusiasts club...fed up of competing against Highlands and Welsh C's and D's and having to wait 2 hours in line up to come last. Lovely horses, just NF's are less flash and more practical which is why I like them, plus we always do well at dressage.