Unbelievable........!!! What you see at local shows

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wizzi901

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www.pony4u.co.uk
Was at Ridgeway Show in Oxon on Sunday....did bit of jumping my old boy was a star and also claimed 1st in the Ridden Veterans which I was very chuffed with.

Whilst waiting for my class, the family pony class before me had a little commotion. Out came two young riders on their ponies, bleating that the judge (well known in our area and very experienced!) had told them to get out of the ring and shut their mouth! I didnt believe this judge would talk to them in such a manner as it is not her style at all.

One pony was a lovely piebald with loads of feather with overweight child on it who had hands like bricks, the other was lovely black pony.

On earwigging further (as you do) it turns out the child took exception to being sent out of the ring as the pony was only 2 years old!!!!

It clearly stated in the rules nothing under 4 at the SHOW! - let alone a 2 year old being galloped around the showground all day.

I have to say it was a lovely pony, but the parents must have known it was a tad taking the P*SS as he didnt argue the fact and promptly went home.

Where do people get off this type of thing to save a few quid!????

Racing is one thing, but this kid was overweight bouncing around all over the poor things back and then gobbing off when she was sent out of the ring. I blame the parents!!

Amazing.....
 
Bloody hell
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Unbelievable, that poor pony, and what horrible people. I remember reading an article in H&H about showing, manners and respect for the judge declining.
 
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I was helping the judge at a local show (handing out rosettes, calling in, getting her lunch etc) and whilst most people were friendly and polite, some were so horrible and rude!

But I have never seen a two year old being ridden by a small child at a show!
 
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bloody hell she could be done by the rspca for that!

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Why?? She is no different to a racehorse trainer riding theirs at 2
 
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bloody hell she could be done by the rspca for that!

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In the wider world (ie outside ridng schools and upmarket livery yards) you will see quite a few horses and ponies ready broken to ride or drive at two, particularly in the travelling community..and apart from doing a bit too much heavy trotting on the roads, they don't seem to suffer too much by it
 
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Why?? She is no different to a racehorse trainer riding theirs at 2

[/ QUOTE ] At least with racehorses they usually have a lightweight rider on board.
 
Hi

I think you know the parents are to blame you are right! I think it is also a case of parents buying ponies after the child has had only a few lessons and no care experience or knowledge, in the end the ponies suffer. It is really sad I think.
 
I believe it is supposed to be the case that thoroughbreds mature faster than others which is why they can be raced at 2 whereas horses/ponies have to be at least 4 for other competitions under saddle.
 
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Why?? She is no different to a racehorse trainer riding theirs at 2

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And a lot depends on the breed, some mature much later so this would do more harm!


And a 3 YO doing XC? I know our 3 YO is at the point of being sat on and walked for 5 mins with a rider on but thats madness - most events have the 4 YO minimum rule for a good reason!! I didn't teach my youngster to jump at all until she was 5!
 
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At least with racehorses they usually have a lightweight rider on board

I think this is irrelevant, they are still made to work like adults when they are still just babies.
xxx
 
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Yes - but this was a coloured cob with loads of feather - weight carrying??? and it is only someones opinion that the child was overweight and a bad rider. But no she shouldn't have been rude and No she shouldn't have ridden the pony at the show as the rules where 4 or over. But its not an RSPCA case.
 
TBs are born as early in the year as possible i.e. 1st Jan whereas most ponies are not born until much later. TBs mature more quickly.

And finally, the rules stated no horse under the age of 4.

I am sure some ponies may be ready to ride when they are two. I have to say though, none of our babies are anywhere near mature enough as two year olds to start riding, let alone take them to a show.
 
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At least with racehorses they usually have a lightweight rider on board

I think this is irrelevant, they are still made to work like adults when they are still just babies.
xxx

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I agree.

Greed in terms of money and glory is the blight of our sport/hobby IMO - it's usually short sighted too, a horse trained in line with it's maturity will usually stay sounder in mind and body for longer.

I doubt things will change anytime soon though. The invisible pressure from "them" (whoever they are?) seems to be causing even those who aren't professionals to rush horses nowadays.
 
I remember one time at a pony club rally, these new people turned up for their first rally. (They had been to pony club in another area) with their 6 year old daughter on a 3 year old pony which had been broken for 2 weeks.! Both were terrified, our DC suggested that they should wait a little longer before taking that pony back PC.
 
Think of it this way, would you send your ten year old child to do a days work? I doubt it. Let them be babies while they can, who are we to steal that away with humans or horses?
xxx
 
Slightly off the point but I'm starting to think I'm going cross-eyed the number of lame horses I see at shows! I'm not talking hopping lame but definitely not level.
 
What is very common at showing shows - even at the higher levels - is people don't work their horses in enough. They think if the horse can mentally cope with getting off the lorry and trotting to the ring, then they don't need to work the horse in properly. However, if the same horse then does a second class, it is staggering to see the difference in the movement. And they even say things like "he always does better in the second class". Why the hell can't they work out the reason why!!!
 
ITs not that TBs mature faster, but basically they are fed on a high protein dietto ensure fast growth and development, where as the majority of other horses and ponies are fed au naturale! I don't as such have a problem with a 2 year old being ridden gently, but for it to be ridden at a show by a child is quite shocking TBH.
 
When I went to Munstead at the weekend I noticed a number of horses warming up for dressage that were on the nod!
 
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ITs not that TBs mature faster, but basically they are fed on a high protein dietto ensure fast growth and development, where as the majority of other horses and ponies are fed au naturale!

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I'm not sure that this is the case. To compare a TB with a cross-breed, all other things being equal the TB would generally strengthen up earlier.

4 year old TBs (particularly the smaller, compact ones) are physically pretty mature - they don't change much.

A 4 year old cross-breed (particularly a large, chunky one) can change shape completely by the time it is 6 or 7.
 
Thers always some sort of hoo-ha at these shows isn't there.
I watched gleefully at a local one at the weekend as two women nearly got into fisticuffs over the height of the jumps in the pony practice ring.....he he.
My friend had to drag me away before they had a go at me for being nosey!!
 
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