Super ponies, bad riding. Bit of a rant.

[myfatpony]

Went to a local PC show today, good day out. But while i was watching the riders i couldnt help but think they were depending heavily on the ponies. I watched a few ridden classes and the riders were all over the place, tipping forward etc.. and couldnt help but think that the ponies were doing all the work.
same with the jumping, all the riders did was stay on while the ponies did all the jumping, and i have to say, the riding was shocking. No control, wobbling every where, shouting, arms flapping etc whilst the ponies were slipping all over the place ( it was on slippy grass).

I just think it takes the competition away for those riders who haven't got "mummy and daddy" buying them the best ponies and have to work hard with their pony and do their best. But it takes the fun away watching the fussy dramatic riders on the ponies that probably cost a leg and an arm.

im not saying all riders are spoilt with the ponies as their are some that work very hard to get to the shows and get placed but im just on a bit of a rant as i was watching the same people getting placed in every class and the dissapointment on the others riders faces.

Sorry for the novel i have just written as im on a bit of a rant.

 

[LouS]

Yep, see it all the time and not just on ponies. Smack, smack, smack down the neck, kick kick, growl growl. Lovely partnerships.

 

[Kokopelli]

I see nothing wrong with it really.
Yes I'm jealous of those with ready made ponies as I had never had that luxury and won't until I win the lottery.

But if they can afford ponies that put up with bad riding then good for them and with such a genuine pony they can improve there riding. IMO I think it's better than being put on a pony that won't tolerate poor riding and chucks them off and they lose their cool/ confidence/ interest in horses.

 

[sazzle44]

eugh, it's painful at times isn't it?! Being one of the young riders who was bought a pony for a pittance (was headed to the knackerman within a week if we hadn't come along!) and bringing him on myself, although I was never the best rider, I always blamed myself for the mistakes. I then grew out of said pony and sold him for a fair bit more than we spent and had to watch a kid who couldn't ride, wasn't going to learn to ride, but really thought she could rag my fabulous pony round course after course of jumps untill he just wouldn't do it anymore. It's such a shame, I don't blame the kids in these circumstances, some parents need a reality check! Having said all that, there are some fantastic riders in my PC and in PC's in the area so you can really generalise too much!
p.s. I have no problem with bad riding as such, it's the attitudes that annoy me. When it goes well isn't the jockey fabulous, when it goes wrong, isn't the pony awful kinda thing! That irritates me.

 

[maxapple]

It is so common at shows. Ponies try their heart out for ungrateful riders who are only happy when they win!

Mind you - its not just at PC level. We went to watch a BE ODE on Saturday, and watched a rider get eliminated for three refusals at the water jump. Totally her fault. This was 2 jumps from the end, so her horse must have tried his best the whole way round, but he didn't even get a pat on the neck once she had to retire. (thats after the kicking in his ribs with her spurs and trying to get him to jump a 3'6 jump on a slope from a standstill!) I know its disappointing to be eliminated, but how hard is it to say thanks to your horse for getting you round safely so far! Silly people.

 

[frustrated]

Can I please hi jake this thread, I've just come back from a pc ode and have been appauled at the tack being used.
I know the pc eventing rules, and even though tack checks have happened, children were using pelham with only one rein, I saw both butterfly and straight pelhams with martingales. I have been left speachless, and i needed to rant. Thanks for that feel bettter now.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I decided when I was 6yo that I never wanted to go to pony club as I didnt like the way they taught kids to ride. It may have just been my area PC but flapping and kicking like a chicken really wasnt my thing.

 

[blitznbobs]

I always think these threads sound a bit like the green eyed monster to me.

Hands up those of us that are perfect riders and have never relied on our horse to get us out of a sticky spot??

I know I have.

My Mum and Dad didn't have the money for flash horses/ponies and I was jealous as hell of those with ponies that went clear cross country but you know what? I wouldn't have swapped my boy for those ponies and he taught me so much that I am a much better rider now (with better sticking power) than any of those kids I grew up with.

BTW If my little boy gets into horses I will buy him a nice pony -- I guess you give your kids what you never had... Mind you hubby wants him to be into carts not ponies so we'll see which way (if either) he jumps!

BnBx

 

[DragonSlayer]

I always think these threads sound a bit like the green eyed monster to me.

Hands up those of us that are perfect riders and have never relied on our horse to get us out of a sticky spot??

I know I have.

My Mum and Dad didn't have the money for flash horses/ponies and I was jealous as hell of those with ponies that went clear cross country but you know what? I wouldn't have swapped my boy for those ponies and he taught me so much that I am a much better rider now (with better sticking power) than any of those kids I grew up with.

BTW If my little boy gets into horses I will buy him a nice pony -- I guess you give your kids what you never had... Mind you hubby wants him to be into carts not ponies so we'll see which way (if either) he jumps!

BnBx

^^^^This green-eyed monster bit! Agree.....

What do people want, the ponies to bury the kids into the jumps and half-kill them for the 'bad riding'...?

They are CHILDREN.

They LEARN over time. It doesn't 'just happen overnight' and they become brilliant riders....

I remember hurtling over jumps, out of control, hanging on for dear life....looking terrble no doubt....but over the years, I LEARNT to sit up, gather the pony up etc etc etc...

What about everyone else? Or did you hop into the saddle aged 7 and ride a perfect Grand Prix dressage test....?

 

[E_Lister]

I see nothing wrong with it really.
Yes I'm jealous of those with ready made ponies as I had never had that luxury and won't until I win the lottery.

But if they can afford ponies that put up with bad riding then good for them and with such a genuine pony they can improve there riding. IMO I think it's better than being put on a pony that won't tolerate poor riding and chucks them off and they lose their cool/ confidence/ interest in horses.

To expand from this I am going to ask some searching questions that you need to try answer from the perspective of the "bad child riders".

-IF your parents had the money to buy you a push button pony who would look after you, would you refuse on the basis that you hadn't brought it on or that it wouldn't improve your riding as much?

-IF you were given a super pony by your parents, but in reality you couldn't ride well but nobody told you this, would you realise at that age?

-IF you genuinely thought that it was a partnership when in reality you were winning classes and the credit was 90% the pony's, would you try change?

I don't think you should be able to judge children who quite possibly haven't realised they are being ineffective. Their parents, yes, but the kids themselves, no. They are taking advantage of their own good fortune, and who wouldn't?

Adults should know better, but there are some people who genuinely can't see their own faults (more fool them!!)

This is from the perspective of someone who was never bought a pony by their parents. I don't advocate the idea in any way, to be honest I was always jealous of them too!! (In fact, I was jealous of anyone who had a pony, especially if they could afford to go to pony Club!!)

 

[DipseyDeb]

I see nothing wrong with it really.
Yes I'm jealous of those with ready made ponies as I had never had that luxury and won't until I win the lottery.

But if they can afford ponies that put up with bad riding then good for them and with such a genuine pony they can improve there riding. IMO I think it's better than being put on a pony that won't tolerate poor riding and chucks them off and they lose their cool/ confidence/ interest in horses.

But what does it teach them? To hang on a be a passenger? Sorry but I don't see how it can improve their riding, so long as they get the honest talented ponies bought for them, they can carry on doing this, but don't ask them to get on one that will need riding to get it to work.....

 

[Kokopelli]

But what does it teach them? To hang on a be a passenger? Sorry but I don't see how it can improve their riding, so long as they get the honest talented ponies bought for them, they can carry on doing this, but don't ask them to get on one that will need riding to get it to work.....

It teaches them ring experience for a start.
How do you know they're push button ponies as well? Unless you've competed it?

But what if they don't want to improve their riding or don't see the need. As someone else said if your getting the results why bother?

I have a friend who has push button ponies, she isn't a great rider but she wins at a high level. I asked her if she had lessons she said why bother I win, it's not like I can do any better than that.

 

[myfatpony]

But what does it teach them? To hang on a be a passenger? Sorry but I don't see how it can improve their riding, so long as they get the honest talented ponies bought for them, they can carry on doing this, but don't ask them to get on one that will need riding to get it to work.....

i totally agree. put them on a horse that needs riding and they blame the horse and not their poor riding. they will blame everyone else for their faults in riding but its really their own.
there is someone on my yard exactly like this, will buy everything money can get but still isnt a good rider and will blame everyone else if they dont win.

 

[DragonSlayer]

i totally agree. put them on a horse that needs riding and they blame the horse and not their poor riding. they will blame everyone else for their faults in riding but its really their own.
there is someone on my yard exactly like this, will buy everything money can get but still isnt a good rider and will blame everyone else if they dont win.

Are you perfect?

 

[myfatpony]

no, and i can accept that fact. but some people are iggnorant to that fact and are painful to be around. i have done very well on my pony if i may say so myself, considering he was once just a riding school plod. i worked very hard and it payed off.

 

[DragonSlayer]

no, and i can accept that fact. but some people are iggnorant to that fact and are painful to be around. i have done very well on my pony if i may say so myself, considering he was once just a riding school plod. i worked very hard and it payed off.

Are you a qualified instructor then? What qualifications do you have to sit and type how 'painful' it is to watch others?

Curious, because I find it painful to be around people who think they know it all.

 

[Kokopelli]

no, and i can accept that fact. but some people are iggnorant to that fact and are painful to be around. i have done very well on my pony if i may say so myself, considering he was once just a riding school plod. i worked very hard and it payed off.

But if someone said here's 15k go and buy yourself a nice horse would you buy a 15k ready made horse that was talented and your job was to sit there and look pretty or would you buy the opposite where you need to put a lot of hard work in and you may not get out competing for a while and even if you do it may not be to the same level.

I know what I'd go for, I enjoy bringing on horses but sometimes it does get tiresome and you just want something where you can just look pretty.

 

[Molly'sMama]

they are children! Would you rather watch a child hang on and a honest pony take them round , or a small child try to school ? Surely they wouldnt know how to do that? They learn from mistakes yes , but wouldn't getting them on a youngster and having to deal with that completely shoot their nerveand wreck the horse ? Kids want to have fun and go out. Not spend the entire summer teaching a young horse how to canter on the right leg.
if they are older (say 12+) and they horse only refuses and they smack it and act all bratty- thats different. but bad riding , i can forgive. Surely you've been let off for bad riding when you were young but a horse or instructor or friends. How do you know they're push button anyway? xx

 

[MissSBird]

I like how people assume that just because a rider isn't perfect, they are automatically a bad person who doesn't care for their horse.

80% of the time my left leg looks like a ballerina on point rather than a riders. As soon as I get nervous I collapse my middle and tilt forward. I am a bad rider. Doesn't mean I don't love my horse. Doesn't mean I don't school him carefully at home and put effort into his training. When I go out to shows, I hope to god he looks like a push button horse when in the ring. That's the way a well schooled horse should look.

How do you know that these ponies arn't loved as much, or even more so, than yours? How do you know that these riders, however flawed they may be, haven't actually brought on a young horse and you are just seeing the end result? OP, if I was to see you on your fell (who is lovely btw, I'm such a sucker for those little guys!), how am I to know that he was a riding school plod? What is to stop me from jumping to the same conclusion as so many people have on this thread, that he wasn't produced by a professional and then bought for you by wealthy parents/hubby?

And then, consider this. I know someone who will freely admit that she has a short temper which she can struggle to control sometimes. As a consequence she has made the decision to never buy either a young horse or a very difficult ride, as she feels her personality is not suited to them. So what is she, a bad rider for taking on 'push-button' rides, or a good rider for recognising her personality traits and choosing a mount suitable for them?

 

[Shantara]

I don't mind seeing kids riding 'badly', we had to start somewhere right? I remember hanging onto my 35yr old pony, cantering across the field, bouncing around on his back, poor thing!

It's when I see people my age (21) and older acting like spoilt brats. I go to a lovely little local show and soo many times I've been laughed at because of the horse I ride and what he looks like. Just because their horse is a beauty, with a perfect trot and lovely mane and tail. (Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE a well behaved beauty queen like them, but I'd never swap Ned for one)

I praise Ned when he completes a course of jumps, regardless of where he comes or how many times he's refused, because I know even getting him a show ring is a big step, but I see some people punish their horse if it doesn't come first.

But yes, like I was saying...it makes me cringe when adults (who should know better, not beginners) flap like a child and get stroppy when they don't win. It doesn't annoy me when kids hang on for dear life while their pony does all the work, they'll learn in time if they're serious about riding. If not, they'll get bored and give up soon enough.


EDIT: And like the person above said, I think it's fine when you buy a horse suited to your personality, regardless if that means you need a push-button horse, or a complete freak of an animal. Your friend admits they need one, I admit I need a horse who NEVER bucks. I can handle rears and spooks, however. I have a friend who would never admit she needs a push-button horse, even though it's obvious to everyone around her. That's another thing that annoys me.

 

[LouS]

When I replied I wasn't talking about bad riding as in being unbalanced/not being able to gather a pony up, I was talking about people who ride round kicking crap out of the pony and smacking it down the neck about 5 times before each fence, then when it does jump them out of a bad spot they get left behind, jab it in the mouth then smack it on landing, I see it happen all the time at local unaff stuff. Not sure when it became the norm to be as loud and harsh as possible at all times.

 

[Kokopelli]

And then, consider this. I know someone who will freely admit that she has a short temper which she can struggle to control sometimes. As a consequence she has made the decision to never buy either a young horse or a very difficult ride, as she feels her personality is not suited to them. So what is she, a bad rider for taking on 'push-button' rides, or a good rider for recognising her personality traits and choosing a mount suitable for them?

I would say she's a good rider for choosing mounts that suit her. I'm very headstrong when I ride, I tell my horse to do something so I would never get on with stallions and mares. I don't get on with Welsh cobs either, we have personality clashes so when I horse hunt I avoid these.

When I replied I wasn't talking about bad riding as in being unbalanced/not being able to gather a pony up, I was talking about people who ride round kicking crap out of the pony and smacking it down the neck about 5 times before each fence, then when it does jump them out of a bad spot they get left behind, jab it in the mouth then smack it on landing, I see it happen all the time at local unaff stuff. Not sure when it became the norm to be as loud and harsh as possible at all times.

I would call that bad attitude to riding. Still horrible for pony and for people who have to watch. I think it's become the norm because the judge doesn't do anything about it unless someone makes a complaint. At Blue Chip I saw a 'big name' rider smack her horse repeatedly but its states in the rule book that in one round you can only smack your horse 3 times.

I think if show centres/ judges were more proactive less people would do it.

(Sorry for going off on a tangent)

 

[babymare]

it has never bothered me people on push button ponies/horses as hey h so be it my daughter rode what was there lol - what annoys me is when a pony/horse gets a whack due to the riders bad riding - mostly show jumping BUT ridden classes to - hyped up ponys strapped down kicked in ribs yanked in mouth put wrong to jump and the whacked for running out etc - everyone is a novice at some point yes but punishing an animal for your bad riding sorry it gets me so angry - ok thats my rant for weekend now breathing happy vibes xxxx

 

[tobysg]

You said you were disgusted to see brilliant ponies and people tilting forwards etc

My horse can 'appear' to look well mannered in a show ring but she is extremely strong.
She pulls me out the saddle when jumping.
I have a tendency to tilt forwards when I lose confidence or when she tanks and puts me into that position.

Everyone has a bad day at a show when their riding leaves a lot to be desired, this is how we learn.

You cannot judge a book by its cover.

 

[xloopylozzax]

another who thinks its plain green eyed mosnter...


Just cos they dont look pretty, doesnt mean they arent effective. everybody has to learn, refinement comes in down the line.

atleast they're out doing something, many adults dont have the guts to compete (some dont like riding as it is, let alone with an audience) or spend so long over analysing that they never get on the sodding thing or when they do make constant excuses, and just thrown money at it.

there are some shocking pictures of me, at home and my first shows, you know what i look back, laugh and cringe cos i knew i didnt look that great, i do alright now though- the majority of the time anyway! now i will get on anything to a point (dont have a death wish though) and can get a tune out of them.

push button is not a negative thing! anything other (aside from youngsters) proves the rider is not progressing and putting the work in at home. same as those who claim no one else can ride their horse.
personally the greatest accolade (apart from rossettes ) is for someone to look at you at a competition and think, that horse is going really well, pity about the rider lol

 

[jrp204]

If I could afford it i would definately buy something, not ready made or push button but that had mad a good start to its competetive career. My daughter has produced 2 horses from 4 yr olds to competing at affiliated level (with success, she is now 16) But it has been very hard work and at times demoralising for her, I would love to see her doing what she loves which is eventing (unfortunately her boy is too 'careful' xc) and if this means buying something to get her moving up the levels i would do it. She doesn't need to prove herself and more than holds her own competing against adults in all disciplines and often behaves more maturely than some adults.
I don't think you can just say its the kids on super ponies, bad riding, how many adults do you see that have spent 1000's on schoolmasters, push button horses that are so obviously overhorsed or can't ride them.