Welsh A/B, Shetland or Miniature?

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equestriansports

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Hi all! I had my first driving lesson the other day from my very experienced uncle who is willing to teach me properly. I did the basics, small circles, steering in and out of gates, over dips and such. Obviously I'd be having more lessons until I got a driving pony. I've already got my 13.2/13.3 but God knows what's going to happen with him. If he's given the all clear my uncle is going to break him to drive anyway but I'm thinking in case he isnt. I've got the money and time for another and to be honest, riding just isn't my thing anymore unless my pony can be fixed aha. I'd like something that isn't huge for my nephew to ride on occasion (if a suitable pony!) but it would be mainly to drive. Which type of pony, in your opinion, is best to drive? I know each pony is an individual but as a general idea, which is best? Just really planning for the future haha. Thanks!
 
You will be able to do more and go further with the welsh. Mini driving is not huge yet and some shetlands lack the pizazz to do refines showing type driving.
 
exmoorponyprincess1 said:
Have you thought about an Exmoor? There's one (Dunkery Bewick) who was doing fantastically well in a number of driving classes in a showing capacity a few seasons ago and there's a few who do long distance driving/fun "rides" etc. Might be worth a look? They would certainly have the stamina to do whatever you might fancy!
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Ooh, I never thought about an exmoor! I'll definitely take a good look. So far I'm liking the little Welshies, but would an A or B be better?
 
A big strong B is better if you want to do FEI/HDT events with a single (Cs better still though there is an advanced B) . As are great fun for indoors though :) We had a section A 4 in hand and a section B 4 in hand before that- great fun! Still have two 'A's we drive :)
 
I'm not too sure on what I want to do yet. Honestly right now I'd like to be able to trot circles without feeling like I'm doing the wall of death! :) I love the look of trials or dressage tests. I'm assuming a Welsh would be better for dressage tests because of how they move?
 
Depends entirely on how into it you want to go. My friend did it with a big standard 14h cob to quite a good level then there are the ones who go the whole hog and get four horses for trials or two friesians and make a living out of it. I think at the moment the best thing to do is get loads of lessons and maybe ask to groom for some people and go to a few shows see what way it goes.
 
The top international boys mainly have Welsh or Welsh types, but indoors and at a national level the shetties can be right up there! Plus at club and indoor level you often have a small pony class for below 11hh, so nearly just a Shetland class :) If you want to be flying across the arena in extension a Shetland probably isn't for you, but they can pick up marks elsewhere :) (And still do correct extensions, they're just not so big!)
 
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