What's wrong with adults on ponies??

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What's wrong with adults on ponies??
Not a damn thing,except I am too leggy to be one of them without looking stupid
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Doesn't stop me. I'm 5'4" and ride a 12hh exmoor. He *could* be ridden by a strong, confident child, these days, but up to about 2 years ago (when he was 15), I would have said that you only put a child on him (off the lead rein) if you didn't like the child.
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Round here there is a LOT of snobbery about adults on ponies. I've had the rudest comments imaginable, from horse riders and walkers alike. Normally well timed for when Henry is wanting to go a different route and so is expressing an opinion. Of course, this is because I am squashing him, nothing to do with his preferred route being homeward bound...
 
Just thought I would have a nag about the whole having pony/ horse from an early age thing. I don't have my own pony or horse as I can't afford it. For the last 3 years I've had the use of 3 amazing equines. Although last year I went to a local under 14s show with one of them and was amazed by the snobbiness of my local pony club! I was talking to a group who seemed perfectly nice but when I explained he wasn't mine they seemed completly unintrested. Then after an awful round (wasn't a good day!!) some one made a remark about learning to ride and getting a horse that could actually jump!!!!!!

Well we have since got revenge
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, and I now ride an amazing jumping pony (same pony 11 months of hard work later)!!

Also when I hunt I feel excluded I am refferd to as "the girl on the crazy pony"

well all that makes me sound like a pathetic moaner!! but still annoys me
 
ooohh I so know what you mean about that one - the worst horsey snobbery I've been on the receiving end of was when i was part-loaning a horse for the first time, it was so horrible i swore I'd never be on a livery yard again...changed my mind now as I realised not everyone/everywhere was like that.

I have found that I've arrived at a yard and been the only adult-on-a-pony, and before you know it a few of the adults on horses see the error of their ways and get a pony instead!
 
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However if you are nervous about doing 2ft I would not be worrying about being excluded from trailblazers/bsja yet!

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don't worry - I don't harbour any such ambitions! I just find it frustrating that there is an assumption that because you're a certain age you should be on a horse, capable of jumping a certain height etc etc.
 
We sold the roan in my sig to a 40 yr old lady, i was a bit hesitant at first as i really wanted her to go to junior to carry on competing but she is having a fantastic time. Having dressage lessons with a top trainer, jumping 3'6 tracks and is aiming to BE next year. She wants to win. I'm really chuffed as she's in an amazing home and is doing really well.
 
i have to be honest, i think i fall off more easily jumping my 13.1 than when i used to ride bigger ponies/horses. theres not a lot infront to help you stay on if things go a bit pear shaped.

i get loads of stick for having a small pony (shes 13.1 im 5ft2) but in reality, the difference in height is the same as a tall rider ( think Fox pitt etc!) on a horse.

dont think i would ever own anything over 15.1 now. i struggle rugging up the big horses in the winter, cant get on from the ground, and just generally cannot be bothered with the extra height when its unneccassary for someone of my size that is 'just' a pleasure rider.
 
iam all for adults on ponies! I think its twice as fun, with no pressure to be the best. Meg is a small 15hh, looks 14.2hh, rides 16hh and that is great!!
My only 'nag' about this is the fact that cos iam older than 25 yrs I can't do affiliated WHP. She is too small to do the open (15.2 +) but the novice whp jumps are a bit on the small side for us now.
Always feel like iam stuck between a rock and a hard place!! - I do know that some shows do small WH, but i've only ever managed to find one!
 
I think it's down to the level you compete at, tbh. Locally, you aren't reallt limited unless it's Trailblazers which, imo, isn't that fab cos it's so expensive!! The showing side, it really doesn't matter unless you want to do first ridden, and eventing unless you're aiming for above Novices there aren't many problems.
 
Nothing at all provided the pony can take an adults weight. Mum used to ride my ponies with no difficulty. Surely ponies are excluded from some SJ comps because the striding would be for horses and the pony would get a jump set up wrong? :S
 
Didn't realise I can't do Trailblazers on a 14.2, that has really peed me off as was planning to over the winter. There is not much RC stuff on over the winter. There isn't much jumping an adult can do on a pony. Feel quite fed up.
 
There is nothing wrong with adults riding ponies.

My pony is 14.2 hh and I am 18. I have owned him since I was 14 and we have competed successfully in Unaffiliated Show Jumping and Dressage. I am annoyed that Trailblazers would not allow me to compete in their competitions as he has the potential to do well! I have also thought about affiliating him with the BSJA but I was put off by the fact he would most likely be the smallest in the classes and I'm not sure he would make the distances. Most of my friends now own/ride horses, and people have said to me - 'you must be ready to move on soon onto a horse' I have got a young horse now as well but I will never sell my pony - he is brilliant! I don't care what people say - I will continue competing him at Unaffiliated Events - we both enjoy it and that's what counts!
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I find it very frustrating too. My pony is 14.1 and this summer we did really well in working hunter pony classes .. Getting placed in every show we did. I would like to progress next year but can't because I'm too old !! Ba humbug !!

I dint get why you have to be under 17 to do this class in the higher levels ... When I'd be able to enter if my boy was 3 inches taller and therefore a working hunter horse. How annoying !
 
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