Tiny children competing

Tnavas said:
Unfortunately this is the problem when the pony leaps over the jump rather than just trot over it. Your two year old is also likely to just 'get off' the pony because something has attracted his attention - therefore jumping/going over poles is not safe.

You also have to consider that the person leading, could trip over the jump and end up under the pony.

With 40 + years teaching experience I have found that in order for the rider to be safe over a jump, they need to be happy having a canter, they need to learn jumping position, just a three point, folded forward so that shoulders are in line with knee and toe, be able to hold this position when going over the jump - they are then far safer if the pony jumps big, and more comfortable.

I have seen too many children become nervous of jumping because their over enthusiastic parents think its cute that their little person is jumping. They need to learn to sit properly first, experience and be happy in canter, have some degree of control and be able to be in control of their own body.
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Totally agree with this Tnavas. I was also taught many years ago by a FBHS that tiny children shouldn't jump or take risks as because their heads are proportionally bigger to their bodies, therefore heavier, and would hit the ground first.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
OP I disagree with lead rein jumping classes due to the safety and comfort of rider and pony. Lead rein riding classes I don't have a problem with, the riders often have a secure walk and are capable of rising trot whilst holding the saddle. But people who can't canter, steer or hold a jumping position shouldn't be jumping IMO. I think its as someone said early on, a money spinner for the show organizers.
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If they are capable of trotting, why can't they jump? Remember lead-rein jumping classes are TINY - they are basically raised trotting poles! The good ponies (the ones parents should choose) will just step over them, no jump at all and I certainly dont know of any handlers who let the pony canter (who can run that fast?). So I dont agree a small child needs to be able to canter, steer and get into a jumping position when they don't need to do any of these things in the class... My 2yo loves going over 'jumps' (probably 10cm off the floor) and asks "again" every time. I see absolutely no harm in it. Although my son hasn't competed yet, but he will start lead-rein jumping next year assuming he still enjoys it. As long as the handler has common sense and is out to give their child some fun, it's not a problem IMO.
 
MagicMelon said:
If they are capable of trotting, why can't they jump? Remember lead-rein jumping classes are TINY - they are basically raised trotting poles! The good ponies (the ones parents should choose) will just step over them, no jump at all and I certainly dont know of any handlers who let the pony canter (who can run that fast?). So I dont agree a small child needs to be able to canter, steer and get into a jumping position when they don't need to do any of these things in the class... My 2yo loves going over 'jumps' (probably 10cm off the floor) and asks "again" every time. I see absolutely no harm in it. Although my son hasn't competed yet, but he will start lead-rein jumping next year assuming he still enjoys it. As long as the handler has common sense and is out to give their child some fun, it's not a problem IMO.
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I wonder how many children you have taught to ride?
 
I think we probably all have very different experiences of what "lead rein" jumping classes are. The lead rein competitors I have seen have been competing in normal ridden jumping classes, although at the mini end - so 1' or so - certainly less than 2'. But most of the ponies I've seen have definitely jumped, not stepped over the obstacles. And the consequent forwards-and-backwards movement of the child has in many cases (not all of course) resulted in the child either being held on by the leaders or falling off. I'm not saying that no lead rein competitors should be allowed to jump, and I'm certainly not against them having a fun day out, I'm just surprised that there is no requirement for them to be reasonably stable in the saddle before they are allowed to enter a competition. As somebody has already said, a lot of adults aren't stable either, but their centre of gravity is different to a child's, they don't have skull-bones which aren't fully hardened yet, and they are capable of making an informed decision for themselves.
 
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Cowpony said:
I think we probably all have very different experiences of what "lead rein" jumping classes are. The lead rein competitors I have seen have been competing in normal ridden jumping classes, although at the mini end - so 1' or so - certainly less than 2'. But most of the ponies I've seen have definitely jumped, not stepped over the obstacles. And the consequent forwards-and-backwards movement of the child has in many cases (not all of course) resulted in the child either being held on by the leaders or falling off. I'm not saying that no lead rein competitors should be allowed to jump, and I'm certainly not against them having a fun day out, I'm just surprised that there is no requirement for them to be reasonably stable in the saddle before they are allowed to enter a competition. As somebody has already said, a lot of adults aren't stable either, but their centre of gravity is different to a child's, they don't have skull-bones which aren't fully hardened yet, and they are capable of making an informed decision for themselves.
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Agree - and this was why Lead Rein jumping was banned in New Zealand Pony Club and why the A & P shows put a minimum age of 4yrs on all riders
 
Magic Melon are these classes at actual local shows? They sound fun and safe and absolutely unlike what I've seen. I wonder how the organisers manage to hold what must be small, presumably cheap classes? Does your two year old enjoy the shows more than 'jumping' at home?

ETA my comment sounds rude, its not Kent to. Frazling day at work, please accept my apologies
 
My little girl has had her first season going to pony parties (as she calls them) she will be 4 in November. I tell her when there will be a party and if she wants to off we go. Only once has she not wanted to. She's a confident little rider and the only time I've held her leg was when her pony lost it at a big show the other week and started to canter. She was cross with mummy for holding her, told her pony to walk and wanted to carry on, me however, retired us.
She has done a clear round jumping class, we walked or trotted over the 'jumps' pony is a saint and steps over the poles.
She is always correctly attired in hat, bp and boots and her saddle has a grab handle
 
I am horrified by the parents on this thread who take their TODDLERS into these classes. The argument that the child wants to compete, is null imo, the adult should make safe decisions on behalf of their children. I repeat my view that lead rein classes should be for children who can ride, not just be passengers, but who need the safety net of a lead rein from the hose band. A child could then be justifiably proud of the rosette it wins.
 
undergroundoli said:
Magic Melon are these classes at actual local shows? They sound fun and safe and absolutely unlike what I've seen. I wonder how the organisers manage to hold what must be small, presumably cheap classes? Does your two year old enjoy the shows more than 'jumping' at home?

ETA my comment sounds rude, its not Kent to. Frazling day at work, please accept my apologies
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The ones I know of are little fun classes at local venues. If I'm honest I haven't watched many lead-rein classes lately, I totally agree that if the kids head is bashing about everywhere then of course that is wrong and the parent has clearly chosen the wrong pony and / or the child isn't balanced enough. As I said before, I have not put my son into a show - I plan to pop him in the odd fun class next summer when he will be 3 and should be even more balanced (if not, he wont be doing it), so I cant comment on if he'll enjoy jumping more than at home. My case is that I only have 3 showjumps at home so I cant build a course which is pretty dull. My son loves going to shows with me while I ride and often asks to get on my horse to which I have to explain he can't! I genuinely think he'll enjoy plodding about and being more involved, if he doesn't then of course we simply won't do it! I'm not the type of parent who will force my child into anything he doesn't enjoy. I can understand why some of you are against it if the lead-rein classes you've watched have been of competitive parents out to win at the cost of their childs safety and enjoyment - sadly you get people like that in all walks of life. But please dont tar all parents with the same brush! Some of us just like watching our child giggle like mad and keep asking to go again.
 
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Thanks for explaining more about the lead rein classes round you, and what makes it worth the hassle and expense of going out 'competing' with your child. The venues around your way sound lovely.

I hope you and your kids have many happy years having fun on ponies ahead of you. I'd hate to tar all parents with the same brush, but I do think venues that have lead rein jumping over 'proper' jumps or let toddlers compete over them are making it easy for parents to be irresponsible.
 
I did loads of gymkhanas when I was little (pre school) and I remember falling off loads! There weren't lead rein jumping classes back then, though, just showing and gymkhana. I was never held on from what I can remember, I just had to hold on to the pommel.

Me!

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My daughter did her first gymkhana aged 2 and a half, my son at about three. They have straps attached to the front of the saddle and they have always held themselves on. My daughter has only fallen off once in a gymkhana and that was last year aged 7. We were being quite competitive in a race and our pony knows the job well and stops by herself when she gets too the cone. 'Cause we were going quite fast, the stop was a bit abrupt and she carried on when the pony stopped. No harm done! My son has only fallen off once and that was in a school when attempting some off lead rein riding.

My daughter at 2

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This summer

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My son at a gymkhana in August

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They do both go over little jumps and again, I never hold them on. I have found that providing I keep it at a steady jog, they don't get dislodged, If they did regularly I think they would not want to do it. I have seen plenty of children that are not ready or not happy being dragged around, but that is not the case with mine. If they didn't want to come, they could stay with daddy for the day and I'd compete myself!

I wouldn't want a pony with a huge jump for a small child. There was a LR pony advertised on my local horsey FB group recently and one of the pics showed it giving a fence at least a foot on the LR with the poor child hanging on for dear life, that one wouldn't be for me.

ETA all pics were taken by me, family and friends, not pros!
 
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