Terminology

[Mistertron]

Hi,

I was looking at some classifieds in Your Horse magazine and was a bit confused by some of the terminology! it has a key to most things but i was wondering what 'School Master\Mistress' meant and also 'First Ridden'. Can anyone help?

p.s i'm not buying - just like to look (and dream! ;) )

p.s i know it sounds like a stupid question but when you do buy a horse - can you change its name?

Thank you.

[Mehitabel]

a 'first ridden' is the name of a show clas, so it's the pony who can go inthat class. in terms of performance it means just that - the first pony a child rides off the leadrein. so it is a small, biddable pony who can take a child from the leadrein to going solo. in showing terms it is also a specific type of look.

a school master/mistress means a horse who has been there, done that and got the t-shirt. in competing terms it would be a highly trained dressage or showjumper who could teach someonr the fancy bits. in everyday terms it means a suitable first horse who wil be unflappable and let a novice owner learn in safety.

you can change a stable name, but not the 'registered' name that is on the horse's passport or breed society papers.