This is really aimed at the horsey people but ...

I went to a showjumping show on Wed evening and took the full gear, showjacket, stock, jodhpurs etc and when I got there no body was wearing a jacket, shirt and some werent even wearing joddy boots! (they were in muckers!!) I just wondered what people thought of this. I still wore my jacket because I find it really uncomfortable wearing a body protector and in the past have caused more harm than good by cutting into me when Ive fallen off! The kids were jumping in t shirts with bare arms and I was astonished!!

Also is there any rules that pony clubs have to abide by such as 2 refusals and its elimination, if they fall off they arent allowed to get back on etc?? Just an open debate really...

I don't know... the local ones I go to tend to stick to the dress rules (jumping) - but then I go to very few because I am bored of seeing rubbish riders blaming horses for refusing - and then whipping them. And children racing ponies round courses in strong bits, yet pushing them to go faster and faster and having no brakes (one boy had to circle a jump 7 times before he could pull up), and very overweight women expecting horses to jump in the heat and young, inexperienced horses being clouted when they refuse - and horses being treated appallingly badly IMO!

lol, I said to my dad it was like lots of Thelwell ponies the one we went to. There was a lot of whip users! People rely on the whip too often I think!! When I was learning it was always my legs that I was told to use and I have never worn spurs! I hate them on children!

Oh how I agree Carla

I was at a local show a few weekends ago and really wanted to haul one wee girl in particular off her pony :rolleyes: The pony was a wee cracker and obviously cost a lot of money (you know the type point and turn) Well this wee one came in with this really fizzy pony in a Pelham and get this SPURS and a STICK   She hauled the pony round the course, kicking it in the ribs and socking it in the teeth at every opportunity, then proceeded to saw the ponies mouth to bits on the way out after she finished the round By comparison this wee girl came in on a wee scruffy highland X type pony, ridden in a snaffle and lots of leg (not even a stick) :) It took her longer to get round the course but it was a joy to watch as she very obviously loved the pony to bits and could atually ride as oppsosed to hanging on.

Rant over lol

Most local shows I've been at stick to traditional dress.

Alli

Goddess!  That is dreadful.  I haven't ridden for about 20 years but when I was young all of the local horse show and gymkhana organisers would've disqualified any rider for excessive use of the whip or maltreatment caused by 'sawing' at the pony's mouth...

I thought the Pony Club was supposed to promote positive principles of equine management and encourage excellence in horse(wo)manship...What is the equine world deteriorating into ?

I think its extremely sad.

There was a 22 year old pony mare entered at the Horse Sales at York recently. Apparently she had "taken her young rider to the top" - and look where it got her - the bl**dy horse auction. Apparently she was "a jumping pony - not for hacking" - probably because her mouth was ruined and she'd been used to jump and jump and jump and now she was outgrown she had to face the sales and the possibility of ending up as meat.

It makes me sick.

I think the PC tend to stick to the refusal rules, etc - but they tend to let the child continue on to complete their round (although some Mums take advantage of this and use this as a schooling opportunity)!

With regard to dress - it does tend to depend on what rules the show is being run under, and if the people running the show dictate that these rules must be adhered to.

I must agree, horse shows and gymkhanas made me pretty miserable when I used to go and watch, dreaming of having my own pony one day. Too many kids and parents are pot hunters and the horses are just forced around. Not all the time and not by everyone, but I remember one lovely pony i knew who was a willling ride and so kind, who was ridden often by horrible kids and who in the end became snappy due to all the kicking and hitting :(

I also feel the same about dog shows, it is getting better but a friend went on one in Yorkshire a while ago and there was lots of hitting and yelling at the animals. Why do people have animals if they don't want to learn the skills of quiet and sensible handling??

I was a steward some years ago at an RSPCA event and was able to tell a few people who hit their dogs off - amazing how humble they were just because I happened to be wearing a tabard

Having said all that, it is wonderful to see children and their well loved ponies working together and same with dogs and owners :)

Lindsay
x

I think the old fashioned way of learning to ride has gone. When I was learning I was given a cheap pony that needed lots of love and attention. His name was Toffee. He was thin and scruffy when we bought him. He needed lots of leg and used to buck me off all the time but I never used spurs and I put a lot of work into him. He went on to a loving family once Id outgrown him and they really looked after him. My point is - kids who are handed push button ponies dont understand proper riding. They dont get the satisfaction you get when you get placed against all odds.

My horse is 7 years old but very babyish in his mannerisms. He bucks, jumps about and is very strong. He has a red ribbon in his tail as I dont trust him around other horses (but people at shows either forget or dont know what a red ribbon means because they stand straight behind him!!). From the outset it may seem like I have no control over him, he approaches jumps side on and then charges at them at the last minute and sometimes I find myself trying to stop him in a corner as he is that strong. He has a sensitive mouth so I never saw him and only use a snaffle - should he be allowed to enter shows going on what people have said previously?

I can't bl**dy believe KIDS even have to or allowed to wear spurs??!! Dear me what is the Horse world coming too!!!?? I'd be a bit upset if I saw an alleged horseman/woman wearing and using them, but kids?? When I did my BHSAI I would never ever been allowed near a Horse in spurs?? What's changed in the last 30 years?? Obviously a lot!!! All the best, Dawn

Yep me too, we were never allowed to use a stick, when I was learning. It was legs, legs and more legs.  My instructor used to be blue in the face some weekends, encouraging us to keep our ponies going. I can remember riding a pony called Basil, who was a wee horror, too much leg and he'd have you on the floor and not enough and he ignored you completely lol. I seem to remember spending lots of time on the deck crying my eyes out :D We also did endless hours without stirrups to encourage our seats. Some kids these days are taught to hang on and will never develop a secure seat. When I'm teaching the kiddies at my work I encourage them all to ride without stirrups as the basics are everthing in my opinion. In fairness I do allow some of the more experienced kids to carry a stick, they very rarely have to use them as carrying them is usually enough to let the ponies know that they have to behave.
I used to work in a yard years ago that had liveries, most of them belonged to girls from a very posh private school, and remember teaching this wee girl from scratch, she had just achieved her rising trot fairly well, when her parents thought she was ready for her first pony. They bought her a point and turn 13.2 beautiful bay mare that cost 3000 quid ( 16years ago) The pony arrived with a Pelham and a Running Martingale :( Ithink she rode the pony about 4 times before it was sold. As far as I'm aware she gave up riding and has never sat on a horse since (Still in contact with a few of her friends) which is a damn shame as she could have turned out to be a nice wee rider.

When I got my boy at xmas the previous rider had him in a 3 ring gag on the last ring and bl**dy draw reins, I wasn't long in removing both of these horrible things and now have him in a snaffle, which I grant you he isn't always the best behaved in but he is behaving better every day I ride, in fact my 12 year old got on him the other day and had a wee canter round, with him behaving like a big pet.

Tracey (please don't shout at me)  IMHO it comes across that your wee horse could maybe do with doing some pole and grid work to slow him down a wee bit. What I also do with horses that charge or side wind into jumps is walk them in a cirlce in front of the jump, until they are settled and ignoring it, then allow them to approach the jump in trot and if they get carried away again circle them until they are calm and quiet again. It's a long process and it can't be achieved over night, but with time and patience makes all the difference. Your horse is probably just excited about jumping, which is good, but he needs to learn control.

I would keep taking your horse out as time out is good for him, he is young and needs time to settle as he is only a baby really :)

lol, dont worry I wont shout at you!!

I know that he needs grid work and I would love to have proper lessons but unfortunately I cant afford them!! I dont live with mummy and daddy anymore and it shows! I also know he needs grid work because he is a little clumsy with his legs and tends to knock at least one jump in the ring. Its my fault that hes not as advanced as he should be because we had a little accident last year which made me fall out with him and it took me a long time to be round him again.

Will try walking him round the jump though - never thought of that. Fancy giving me some lessons??

As for dress, was it PC or riding club? My local riding club had a members show each month where 'proper dress' was required but on a wednesday each week had a showjumping evening (summer obviously, but did indoor fortnightly in winter) On a weds there was no dress code, it was more of a schooling eve. I used to love going to watch (as i only loaned a horse and couldn't take her everywhere i wanted to) with my friend as it was really relaxed and great atmosphere.

as for the other comments about riding abuility, yes there was some of that but it was frowned upon and wasn't really a problem. However, being from a showing background we always looked down on the 'jumping people' LOL with their too strong bits and no seat!

lol would love to, but stay a wee bit far away. I work with my horse the same way I work with my dogs and kids, praise and patience are the key in my opinion. I have to admit jumping is not a fav of mine, especially with the boy as he tends to rush his jumps and then puts in a huge leap over them. I'm working on his canter at the moment trying to get him to work nice and steady as he tends to get carried away with himself lol. I had a lesson from quite a well known eventer a few weeks back and he said to try raised poles to make him more aware of where his feet are,  you could maybe try this too. He also said that horses that are a wee bit unbalanced tend to rush jumps, so work on schooling a bit more. I've been working with my boy over poles raised and on the floor and he is much better, he tends to actually trot or canter over them now as opposed to taking a huge leap and trying to clear them. Please don't blame yourself for not having him as far on as you would like, confidence takes a lot of time to build up. Good for you for getting back involved with him and keep up the hard work. Good luck with your boy. Love to hear how you are getting on with him. Don't suppose you got a piccie I could have a nosey at? (I'm such a nosey person lol) If you want one of my boy my email addy is Redsetgirl@aol.com

I think there is a big problem these days in very inexperienced beginners (of ALL ages) buying horses with not enough knowledge. This is demonstrated by "safe cobs" fetching upwards of £5K a piece - when they would have been lucky to fetch £1500 a few years back.

I, personally, am not convinced a cob is the best horse for a beginner either - they are fine until they learn to use their own strength...!

Same with kids and ponies - couple of riding lessons and into pony ownership. Then, when they can't get the pony going forward and it learns to take the mick - out with the strong bits, spurs and draw reins

I worked for YEARS at a riding school and had more lessons than I care to remember - the most valuable being the ones that allowed me to tack up etc before and turn out after - just doesn't happen any more with the comp culture we have in this country

I think you are right there, however a lot of the problems lie with insurance for kids. Many yard owners are terrified to let kids come and help out for the day as if anything happens they are taken to court for negligence or sued for every penny they have. At the yard I work at we welcome kids, but parents are made aware that we cannot be responsible for them at all times and if they want to bring their kids and leave then it's up to them. I remember getting up at half 6 saturday and sunday to undertake the 30 min hike to the yard (when your 8 it feels like miles lol) I was given a free lesson on a sunday if I helped out with tacking up, leading, putting horses out, bringing in and my personal fav was grooming. If anything happened to us, the parents were phoned and we were given a free lesson the next week lol

My boss couldn't believe the price of horses as he was looking to replace one of the riding school horses, he was looking for something between 14-15hh that is safe, he was incredulous at the prices lol. Have you noticed the price hike in Coloured cobs? It's shocking.

edited for terrible spelling as usual

My boy is a coloured cob and I get approached at every show I go to by people asking me if they can buy him. At the last show I went to the Turnout judge said to get in touch if I ever wanted to sell him!!

Used to have riding lessons at a local school, (some while back - in the days when I still bounced!!!).
Did a bit of jumping but they used to run 'wimps' jumping course twice a year the aim at the end of 2 days was to get everyone doing the course -lowish- with stirrups crossed and reins knotted, when you were 3-4 strides out you dropped the reins and arms straight out to the sides to go over. all you had was a b***** good seat and legs. It was Brill.
Chris

IMHO  many of the problems that occur in riding and horse-care today stem from the fact that so many people and children ride for ridings sake -not the love of the horse first and foremost. When I was a kid just to be near a pony sent me into ecstacy. I valued my first riding lessons- especially as I did all sorts of jobs to raise the money-even used to take bottles back to the offy for old pennies!!

Best wishes
Linda

Me too. I'd have cut off my right arm for a pony. Infact, I got in the MOST trouble ever when my mum caught me riding up the high street in my school uniform, barebackm having bunked off school the afternoon LOL. Although she went twice as mad when she found the mare in the back garden a couple of days later - I had to give her back - I'd borrowed her :D

And now I have 6 and my fingers are firmly crossed that my gorgeous mare is in foal to a very s*xy stallion :D :D :D

when i went to evening jumping shows they were generally more casual, joddys & shirt, maybe even coloreded joddys.

proper boots though.

this was about 5years ago & riding club SJ