jumping and ponies (or horses)

[Pepsi coke]

I have just started looking for a new horse and was looking for something about 15hh/15.1hh however a friend of mine told me that if i wanted to jump in competions then as i was 16 i'd need a 15.2hh+ horse!

I thought that was the sort of thing that would apply to affiliated jumping but my friends claims that it applies to any jumping competion! is this correct as i am now very confused! (which is how i seem to spend a good proportion of my life)

thanks Pepsi

ps - why is it that for months i have seen lovely horses for sale but now that i am looking for one there arent any that are suitable! :rolleyes:

[sweetbriar]

For affiliated comps they have to be over 14.2 for seniors. I have a 14.1 pony and I'm a grown up (sometimes). We compete at riding club shows and do everything and I have never been told she's too small. You have to ride what suits you and what you feel is big enough. Never be tempted to buy a big old horse if you still feel happy riding something smaller. Its not a reflection on you as a rider and, in fact, the smaller ones are perfectly capable of jumping in all types of classes.

My old girl can still jump 3ft and beat horses twice her size.

[cabanha]

A 15-15.1hh horse would be just fine for you. You don't need a 15.2hh+ horse to compete in jumping competitions, though, many people think that the only good jumper is one that is at least 16hh but this is not true. Many people tend to either want big ponies (14.1hh+) or big horses (16hh+) because they are believed to be better for some reason. Anyway, enough of repeating myself (hehe, :D ), you will be fine getting a 15 or 15.1hh horse and you unless you want to get a horse bigger than that, don't. Well good luck! Yes, I know how that goes (seeing many wonderful horses for sale but they all disappear off the face of the earth once you actually start looking)! :D

[IrisSilverMoon]

Depends on your size...

Marion Coakes rode her pony Stroller right to the Olympics, and won an individual silver medal...if she can do it why can't you???

but then like i said...depends on your size...get a size that suits you and that you feel comfortable on. if you look good in the saddle the judges won't make a big deal over one in in the show ring. :)

[maverick927]

I riode a 13.3hh pony. when I am over age (December), i am going to take him into horses as he can jump the height. We won't be affiliatin and never will as we can't jump 'that' high. i'll be in local shows all my life as i am planning to keep maverick forever (he's 9).

[Lucy J]

Yeah, Stroller was 14.2hh and also won the Hickstead Derby I recall. Perhaps your friend meant over 14.2hh because some shows have classes for 14.2hh and over, regardless though, 15 - 15.1hh will be fine.

[Alison+Rio]

For the affiliated competitions for seniors it is still possible to take a 14.2hh pony into the horse classes. This is not often seen as the strides are different and the ponies struggle with this and also the widths of jumps. It can be done but isnt common practice. A 15hh will do the job just as well. Go for what height of horse you are comfortable with and can ride.

[Emma_G_NZ]

Hi there,
My pony is 14.1hh and could jump 1.20m when he was 14/15 by the owner of that time, So I wouldnt worry about size!