Those with children who ride ponies-

I dont think you can put age of child to height of pony. My lad who is 11yrs is 160cm tall, size 7 adult shoe and rides a 14.1hh conni. But at the same time he has sat on my 16.2 WB and he looks fine, his feet can reach my stirrups, I"m 5ft8'. So in the end i think its up to you to decide if they match or not.
 
It depends a lot on the child... My sister was riding a 12.2hh show pony at 11 and looked fine on her (almost small!), but I never rode anything smaller than 13.2hh from the age of 9 onwards or I'd have looked ridiculously tall.

Ironic that I'm now too short for much over 15.2hh and my sister rides a 17.1hh horse and looks fine!
 
Would agree with others - too much variation in height/weight/build of children to use age as a good guide. I was 5'7" by the age of 11 (just shy of 5'9" full adult height now) whilst my best friend at that time was a full foot shorter.
 
We went though this at beginning of year. Took on loan an 11.3 for my 1.40m 9 yr old daughter - she looked fine but we quickly came to the conclusion that she would outgrow within a year. The pony wasn't entirely suitable so went back anyway but we ended up getting a 13.1hh whi I think my 9 yr old looks much better on
 
Frim my experience-My 9 yr old has a 11.2hh pony- we bought him 2 yrs ago. Our pony is deep bodied and really takes up the leg... But my daughter is starting to look big on him ( weight wise she's fine) ..

Would I buy my 9 yr old a 11.2hh now- no I wouldn't - I'd be looking for 12.2hh- 13hh.

I guess if your in a position to change ponies again in 12-18 months time then maybe the 11.2 would be good for now.
 
My 10year old on Monday has an11.2hh section a which she looks fine on. He takes up quite a bit of leg and she is quite small but I think she's got at least another year. Her 12 year old sister rides him and she does look a bit big but fine on her 13.1hh section b. I like the fact that they can both reach their ponies to tack up etc and can do everything for them.
 
So depends on the child. If they need confidence then putting them on something too big doesnt help. I think people become a bit funny about size of child to pony. My daughter is 14 and just selling our sec a 12hh mare. She has been doing games, hunting XC and everything else. Her legs do look long and not ideal but perfect for her confidence. My son is 16 and 5 foot 7 . He has been riding his New Forest pony for 4 years now. He is only 13.1hh but they love each other and compete at all disciplines and regularly win . He is starting to look a bit top heavy but he is a quiet calm rider who sits well . He has now got a new horse but will never part with his NF. We have been getting sly digs at some events but they are well balanced and know each other so well we just laugh it off. Both my kids are very lightweight and at least 20 kilos under the pony club weight guide for games so we shall carry on enjoying the ponies they love.
 
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This is my 3yr old niece on her 11.2hh section A. She's tall for her age obviously, so we decided that age/hh was completely pointless - instead we just found ourselves a quiet pony she wouldn't outgrow too quickly! Personally I wouldn't want her on a pony she'd outgrow in a year or so... they get so attached. Thankfully her sister is only 2 and a lot shorter so he'll be with us for a while yet!
 
My daughter is about 4'11- 5' I think (I'm 5'3 and taller than her!) she rides a 14.3 and a 15.1 but also looks ok on her friends 13.1 and my 16.2! I think the only way is to try and see how they look.
 
I have a little pony the grandkids wont go near him he is evil and a 13.1 Highland that they both love to ride one child is a tiny 6 year old the other is a smallish 10 year old She even had a sit on the baby highland rather than her own pony who terrifies her she wont even ride if he is in the field. Nearly time for a bullet me thinks
 
Thanks guys............

Still not 100% sure so i will pop up next week and see her with my daughter..........
Just sounds ideal temperament wise. But it would be a small stepping stone to move onto something a bit bigger in a year or 2.............i don't want to have my daughter attached then sell her on in a short while.......

My friend has a 12.2 pony and she looks ideal on him with a bit of growing room.

Suppose the only way to find out is to go and see her.
 
For a nervous rider too small is better than too big. If your kids are slim built types, they are unlikely to be too heavy for years. Are you and their father tall?
 
Additionally, a Section C at 12.2 would be completely different than a section A of the same height. I'm a 5'4 adult weighing 9st and used to ride a section C, didn't even feel big on him (he was a tank), but a Section A of the same height... I'd probably squash the poor thing!
 
My daughter is 13 and rides a 12.2hh sec c she looks fine on her and says she wont move onto anything bigger wants to stick with her and I cant see it been a problem unless she suddenly shoots up or piles on weight
 
My 11 year old has a 12hh sec B (old fashioned stamp) which she still competes, she is 5ft and approx 5 stone in full riding gear. She has had the pony for five years and I remember her looking like a pea on a drum, but she has done everything with the pony and is so confident to try anything, but we have to accept that the pony needs a new loan home soon :-(

We have just bought her next one - a 15hh youngster and she looks like a pea on a drum again...
 
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