Saw some terrible riding today!

Sheri

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My OH and I popped into the David Broome Event Centre yesterday and the World Mounted Games Champs were on:

Wow they were fun to watch and very very fast I could never ever jump on and off like they do!!

Now they weren't all riding like dressage riders but they were all sympathetic to their ponies - taking a while to stop, doing a few circles etc :)

all except one.....

there was a guy from the Yorkshire club who was a fairly sizeable guy about 19-25 ish when he past the finish line he yanked the **** out of his ponies mouth really sharp tugs, proper toes down standing up pulling - the pony had his ears flat back. A look around confirmed that this is not the mounted games way. :mad:

WOW I felt so sorry for the pony

I feel like complaining to the club but I'm not sure whether I'm totally over-reacting

I'm certain you guys will tell me if I am!!! :lol:
 
Also where possible it is far easier to say something there and then on the day rather than afterwards.
 
Also where possible it is far easier to say something there and then on the day rather than afterwards.

I really wanted too but I couldn't get around to where they were short of shouting at him while he was in the main arena I was stuck :(

My OH was also begging me not to say anything! :lol:
 
I'd just send an email with the date and description as you've done now and voice your concerns - this has to be brought up!
The worst they can do is ignore it. Poor horse - I'm sure you're not the only one.
 
My OH and I popped into the David Broome Event Centre yesterday and the World Mounted Games Champs were on:

Wow they were fun to watch and very very fast I could never ever jump on and off like they do!!

Now they weren't all riding like dressage riders but they were all sympathetic to their ponies - taking a while to stop, doing a few circles etc :)

all except one.....

there was a guy from the Yorkshire club who was a fairly sizeable guy about 19-25 ish when he past the finish line he yanked the **** out of his ponies mouth really sharp tugs, proper toes down standing up pulling - the pony had his ears flat back. A look around confirmed that this is not the mounted games way. :mad:

WOW I felt so sorry for the pony

I feel like complaining to the club but I'm not sure whether I'm totally over-reacting

I'm certain you guys will tell me if I am!!! :lol:



Our family do mounted games mainly PONYCLUB not the same as Mounted Games Assoc as at Chepstow you witnessed. Ponyclubbers are mainly children and they are taught to ride and respect their ponies even in the heat of the moment trying to win (or just having lost!) a race. Occasionally a young rider loses the plot and is almost always corrected or reprimanded. It is not nice even when it is only kids getting over aggressive but must say when it comes to adults it is not a pretty sight. Mounted games is fantastic particularly seeing young very skillful children riding well trained ponies clearly loving every minute. We are fanatical about our mounted games and our children train virtually all year. It somewhat loses its appeal however watching over aggressive adults behaving in the way you describe. I too have witnessed similar but most worryingly the younger competitors at these non ponyclub events copy the tactics of these cowboys. Come and watch ponyclub games~~~~~you may not see the same speed but the skill and precision is incredible and the children not only taught pony games but manners and sportsmanship.
 
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