Show classes split by RIDER age?!

[Kallibear]

After the local show was cancelled due to the most delightful weather we've been having, I been casting around for somewhere else to go (since pony is 1/2 bathed, trailer organised, tack cleaned etc)

Found a good sounding show, until I discovered all the classes were split by AGE of the rider?!

Something like under 8yrs, 9-11yrs, 11-14yrs and 15yrs+

Sounded a bit odd, but ok until I asked what heights the jumps were (mainly jumping classes, inc WH).
Adult class is 95cm+

Since when do all adults ride big SJers capable of jumping that easily?! It's not partically huge and i've competed over that before, but NOT on my young 14.3 Traditional Cob! And it surely rules out the vast majority of 'everyday riders'?! How many everyday riders with average horses would happily compete at that?

This is meant to be a family Gymkana 'open to all, suitable for the whole family'. Is that normal?! It reminds me of children showing, when you had to be a certain age on a certain sized pony (within 2"). What about all the kids who are tiny for their age, or really tall? Or the 8yr old with the saintly 14.2 that she can't compete because it's 'too big'.

Very disappointing

 

[mulledwhine]

Sounds odd but a sign of the times

 

[Littlelegs]

I'm guessing the age restricted classes are height restricted too?
Sounds big for the only adult class to be that height at a family show. It could be one that never has them up to height. One near me has 3'3 as the height for open wh, when in reality the course is a very simple one of about 2'6, the spreads are less than 1' wide & maybe one inviting upright of 2'9. Maybe they've had problems in the past with pot hunters?

 

[dafthoss]

I'd compete at a 95cm on mine and he's not flashy and is very every day.

It might be because they have had lots of pot hunters that turn up and compete against the little ones. Would have made more sense to just split juniors and seniors though. I have the opposite problem with our local rc as I'm on a pony if I want to do workers I have to do 2'3 and he just messes round at that height but we dont stand a chance doing the horse class at 2'9 because he would be outclassed by true workers types and the jumps are always really under height.

 

[Spit That Out]

I went to a show which was very similar and split in to rider age and in a the kids seemed to enjoy competing against children their own age rather than an 8 year old competing against older 13/14 year old that could still ride nippy ponies with more experience.

Just glad they didn't ask the adults age

 

[Kat]

Perhaps they don't get many adults just lots of gutsy teenagers.....