Too big to compete him?

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mouseandjack

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Hello, so I was just wondering peoples opinions on whether or not i could still compete or possibly hunt my pony this coming summer. I have had him nearly 10 years now and although i dont think I'm too heavy for him (about 9stone) at 5'7/8 Im worried I'm too tall. He is just about 14hh standing up straight and is connie x nf but very short backed.
I'm concerned first of all about unbalancing him so not sure i should be riding him at all, but also whether or not i'd be laughed at if i took him to shows!
Apologies for the lack of decent pictures i have very few saved on my new laptop (and also for the riding attire not quite being up to BHS standards ;) ) Have included one of me next to him for size comparison.
Thanks!
https://flic.kr/p/RQx6Rd
https://flic.kr/p/RUaW3H
https://flic.kr/p/RjzubU
https://flic.kr/p/RUaX2r
https://flic.kr/p/RUaWeV
https://flic.kr/p/RjztKU
 
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Personally you do look a little tall - but if you're both happy, don't let it stop you! You look like a lovely partnership x
 
There are lots of tall people at shows on ponies, as long as your not too heavy or interfering with his way of going then go for it, you certainly are not overly tall that will stick out.

What sort of shows were you thinking?

As for unbalancing him, you would know already if you did that.
 
I think you look fine. I'm 5'8" and my pony is a 13.1hh fell and we compete BD and no one laughs (as far as I know!!) :)
 
mouseandjack said:
Hello, so I was just wondering peoples opinions on whether or not i could still compete or possibly hunt my pony this coming summer. I have had him nearly 10 years now and although i dont think I'm too heavy for him (about 9stone) at 5'7/8 Im worried I'm too tall. He is just about 14hh standing up straight and is connie x nf but very short backed.
I'm concerned first of all about unbalancing him so not sure i should be riding him at all, but also whether or not i'd be laughed at if i took him to shows!
Apologies for the lack of decent pictures i have very few saved on my new laptop (and also for the riding attire not quite being up to BHS standards ;) ) Have included one of me next to him for size comparison.
Thanks!
https://flic.kr/p/RQx6Rd
https://flic.kr/p/RUaW3H
https://flic.kr/p/RjzubU
https://flic.kr/p/RUaX2r
https://flic.kr/p/RUaWeV
https://flic.kr/p/RjztKU
Click to expand...

Such a beautiful horse and your both looking happy!!
 
I think you're fine on him weight wise, which is what really counts. Personally I'd want something bigger if I were you, but it's really about personal choice so long as you aren't too heavy (which you aren't).
 
Personally I do find the picture you make together out of proportion (and I wouldn't enjoy either watching or being part of that picture myself) but, as others have said, there will be plenty of heavier riders on little ponies around :-|

Maybe a last comp or two to go out on a high then move on?
 
I know I felt at a certain height that I was unbalancing my pony if we did fast work or jumping. I did still hack and school him for a while after that though.

If its dressage or showing, crack on!! If it's jumping you will have to judge if you feel your weight is throwing him off, I personally wouldn't jump anything much under 15hh but I am taller than you!
 
thanks for the replies. I imagine weight is more important than height..he is not all that stocky but i dont think he's struggling at the minute. How do you know when you are too heavy? He can be quite lazy by nature but i dont think thats because of me...he can definitely move when he needs to.

As far as unbalancing him goes, i don't think i do but again I'm not sure how to tell. Ive not really ridden anything else apart from him in years so dont have anything to compare it too. I mainly hack him with a bit of schooling and jump occasionally but not higher than 2ft6 as he's a bit of an idiot and tends to leap about if its any higher than that!

have attached a few more pictures from today, i am wearing about 3 jumpers under that coat so my upper body isn't normally that big lol:
https://flic.kr/p/RPsBZv
https://flic.kr/p/S1kWvR
https://flic.kr/p/RPsB4n
 
You look fine - a competition shouldn't be any harder work than you do at home anyway, so I can't see it being a problem
 
I think you look fine too!

If you were looking to buy him I probably wouldn't recommend it as the best option, but considering you have a lovely partnership together and as long as he's happy and you're enjoying each other why not?! He certainly doesn't look to be struggling :)
 
I think you look on fine on him too.

If you are worried you are unbalancing him then why not have a few lessons and see what an instructor says. They may be able to give you some tips to become a more balanced rider or to adapt your style as you have got taller.
 
You look a tad tall, but certainly no more than I do on my 13.1hh Highland at 5'6". It might cost you a place or two if a showing class was close, but otherwise I really wouldn't worry - weight is a far bigger concern than height, and you're fine on that front.

I second the remarks that you'd know if you were unbalancing him, but a lesson or two never hurts if you're worried about it. Go forth and have fun together for as long as you have him, and maybe think about something a bit bigger whenever you next end up looking to buy.
 
I'm 5ft 7 and school a 13.2 Welsh regularly. I am around 9 stone 5 or so usually and as long as I'm not throwing myself all over the place he feels balanced and comfortable. I must admit I do ride him with my stirrups shorter than I might on other bigger neddies :)
 
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