Jumping ponies

[Esther.D]

Does anyone out there ride a pony in senior jumping classes? I was thinking about competing Rupert (obviously in local clear round classes etc first) and contacted the BSJA about whether a 25yr old can ride a 13.2hh in affiliated classes. They said yes (as I had guessed from other posts on NR) BUT they thought the distances between the jumps would be too big for a 13.2hh as they are measured for horses. I can see their point but has anyone tried this to see? Just curious?

They also said that if I really wanted to showjump with a pony I should get a 14.2hh...poor Rupert:( I wouldn't swap him just so I could jump in bigger competitions..there are more important things than the odd competition.

People said I couldn't compete the shetlands against horses in driving trials (locally - I qualified to go national but am not allowed to enter with shetlands :mad: ) and we won the championship and the point championship the next year - that soon showed them :D :D :D :D :D

I am tempted to jump Rupert in senior classes just to prove we can do it:D

Up small ponies:D Well, to me Rupert is a huge pony in comparison with the shelties;)

[galadriel]

Um. The distances between the jumps may not be set up for him, but I don't understand how it would be too much--you might have to put in a short or long stride heading towards the jump in order to fit, but what they said just doesn't make sense to me :) Unless they think he'll be too slow because his legs are short, and thus can't win (shrug)

[Esther.D]

The only jump I can see a problem with (re: strides) is a bounce fence - that might turn into a double for us :D Otherwise I agree we just need to take extra strides. We might be a bit slower but Rupert is much more manouverable than a 15.2hh (thats how the shetlands manage to make up for their short legs at events).

Anyway I thought the important thing was the taking part, not the winning! Surely its my problem not the BSJA's if we lose?:D

I think it sounds as if I have just run up against the usual pony prejudice....:( Oh well we'll just have to have a try anyway- I'm up for trying anything once:D

[galadriel]

Gee, I dunno...there are definitely things I wouldn't try. Hemlock, for instance ;P

[Esther.D]

Okay you may have a point there...well I suppose I would only try hemlock once for certain:D :D :D :D