younger riders on young ponies - does it work?

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Jericho

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For example: nearly 10 yr old girl, 2 years experience of own 13.2hh pony, doing pony club: rallies, camp, small SJ, XC and hacking, good instructor and support on a 5 yr old level headed pony who has had a nice unrushed breaking, who has had a couple of years going to a few shows and PC camp this year with a 12 yr old with no issues. Worked nicely with an adult in school but with 9 yr old first time riding was obviously a little green. Within 15 mins instruction they had already made significant progress in way of going. Would this combination work, if over winter, we took it slowly with lots of different experiences, and I lunged/ long reined etc? I would never have considered a pony this young for a relative novice but I like this pony a lot because of its temperament and it has lots of potential.
 
I think it can work if the pony is straightforward, has been correctly started and the child is fairly confident, willing to put in the effort required and not going to be in a great rush to go out and start competing.
I have sold young ponies to super homes where they have progressed really well even with less experienced riders as long as the help is available, my only reservation would be if the pony is a step up in height from the 13.2 at 10 unless she is extremely tall staying on a 13.2 for longer will enable her to develop the skills to move on to a bigger pony, if she is making a move sideways and staying with 13.2 it could work well or if you keep the smaller pony so she can build more confidence and experience while bringing on the younger one.
 
My 4yo 148cm has gone to a nervous 10 year old girl (albeit she's bigger than me, but that's not saying much as most kids are!), and the last update I had was glowing- they're getting on very well and the young rider loves her. That said, they have a lesson together every weekend and have an adult to ride the pony throughout the week.
 
My 11 yr old son has just gone on to a 14.2hh 5 yr old - it was backed as a 3 yr old and ridden/hunted by children in Ireland prior to being shipped over.

I had my reservations but he had such a sensible temperament, we couldn't resist him, and so far so good (touching wood!). The pony has enough bone for me to school and ride, but tbh my son does just a good jo with him.

I will be interested to see if he proves more of a challenge as he grows older...
 
The right temperament matters most.

Our daughter had to move onto breaking and schooling a 4 year old 12hh pony at 8 when her LR pony went lame. They made a success of it and after a year showing on LR whilst riding alone at home and on PC rallies, flew solo doing everything from representing PC at Area dressage (youngest competitor) to WH and SJ. By the time the pony was outgrown she had also been selected for BYRDs Inter-Regionals twice having schooled and produced it herself. Pony is currently a field ornament as I can't find a little rider, but that's another story.

At 11 she was offered the ride on a 6 year old 14.2 stallion and we bought her next 'project' a 15.1 part trakhener 4 year old. But both have fabulous temperaments and the big girl especially is so steady that I would ride it!

It can be a fabulous partnership, as long as your child is dedicated, and confident enough not to be worried if something doesn't go to plan.
 
I think the most important thing, once you've confirmed the pony is a good safe match for a child, is that you have an adult who can still ride the pony once in a while and sort out any niggles which might come along the way.

I bought a 4 year old Connemara pony for my 1 year old daughter and it was a match made in heaven. The pony is 20 now and my daughter is 17 and we still have the pony. She has been the most fantastic pony ever and took my daughter through every stage of riding. They both learned together and at about the same rate so for us it was a great choice to make.
 
thanks all, for your replies. I guess it is very difficult to know but the pony seems to have a very willing and genuine nature and she is only on loan to start with her owner (who is a PC instructor) giving her some lessons to ensure that all is OK. I could at a push and if I lose weight ride the pony. I also think that there is always a lot of potential for something to go wrong whatever the age of the pony and at least the younger pony hasnt learnt any craft tricks yet...
 
With the correct support I often think it is the best of everything rider learns with the pony, pony doesnt have the baggage of having learned to avoid things and hasn't learned to be devious and naughty. Having said that it is up to that support to make sure the pony doesn't learn the bad things and makes progress in the right direction
 
I took on a recently broken rescue pony at the start of the year, my son at the time was 6 and they began on lead rein and lead off my horse. At the end of this year they are now hacking off lead with me cantering and beginning jumping. The pony has an amazing temperament which is what made me take the chance. We do have a couple of experienced jockeys to school/hack him out in between so that he gets an experienced hand on too. So yes so far I'd say it can work with the right support and right temperament, as others have said.
 
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As others have said with the right support it can work.

All my son's ponies and horses have been youngsters, the oldest was a very green 6 year old, the rest have been younger. All went on to compete successfully with the ponies being complete all rounders. We are lucky as we have good facilities at home and I have relevant experience with backing and schooling so I was able help every step of the way. For us it was also an economic decision as the youngsters were more affordable than ready made ponies. That said, had we been offered a good schoolmaster we certainly wouldn't have turned it down as the experience and confidence they can give a child can be invaluable.

It sounds as though you are thinking this through very sensibly and if the pony fits the bill for you and you are prepared to take things slowly and sensibly it could be a lovely partnership.
 
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