Am I insane?!

[magicmouse]

Hi,

I had a lesson this morning, and told my instructor that I was thinking about affiliating Mouse (12 hand Exmoor pony). He looked at me like I'd sprouted an extra head! Am I really being totally stupid by considering it? Mouse works on the bit better than most ponies I know - nearly 100% of the time now as well - and can do all the movements required for up to Novice level! At the last show I took him to we won both of our classes, so I'd really like to give affiliated competitions a go! The only reason that I can think of not to join is that he'd look rather out of place!

And if I do go ahead with it, where can I get a dressage saddle that would fit a small round pony?!

Sarah

[joosie]

Gosh, well, I don't know much about dressage and I don't know if it would affect your chances of doing well or not... but if you think she's good enough then why not go for it :)

[notpoodle]

cool :D go for it!!!!! would you be riding mouse yourself? rumour has it that some judges (grrr) mark people down if they dont think theyre in 'proportion' with the horse :(

JUlia
x

[magicmouse]

I would be riding Mouse - I'm the only person who's ever sat on him! Being 10, I don't think I'll look stupid either (i'm very short!)!

Any ideas on where I could find that saddle?

Sarah

[notpoodle]

ah, youre ten :) i thought you were an adult :D

the native pony saddle company I hear are quite good! or you could try an x-wide thorowgood model?

JulIa
x

[magicmouse]

Never heard of the native pony saddle company! I'll google them. Sounds ideal - Mouse is square:rolleyes:!

Sarah

[palmerlover52]

lol!i guess it would make you stand out, which i some respects is very good...give the judges something to remember, if it isn't just your fabulouso riding

[Afellpony]

Congratulations. Go on go for it. Do your bit for the Exmoors!

[magicmouse]

I've printed off the registration forms, going to fill them in tomorrow with my RI. I was on the native pony saddle co. website, and they dont do a dressage saddle like that - would a WHP one do? Its just as straight cut.

Sarah

[vimto92]

I would be riding Mouse - I'm the only person who's ever sat on him! Being 10, I don't think I'll look stupid either (i'm very short!)!

Any ideas on where I could find that saddle?

Sarah
Your profile says you are 11? :confused:

[magicmouse]

Does it? I must have put the wrong date in. I'm definately 10!

Sarah

[Kanuma]

I do dressage in my show saddle and a whp saddle is very straight cut as well.
what is your average score in dressage? I personaly would go for it. i see no reason why you cant do dressage on a native, i do! i have a connemara and he does very well at dressage

[magicmouse]

We've been gettin score's in the high sixties/low seventies recently. He's won all but 2 of the dressage tests we've entered, and we've been placed each time we've used a class ticket.

The forms were posted this morning - Dad nearly had a heart attack when he saw the price:o! How long does it take (roughly) for the registration to come through?

Sarah

[DITZ]

registration usually takes 3-4 days. It is expensive and it might be an idea for you to do an affiliated class without registering first. Most comps have a prelim test that unaffiliated people can do without being registered. You dont even have to be on a ticket. This will give you an idea of how well you would do in an affiliated competition without your Dad's financial support and then if you do well I'm sure it will be easier to pursuade him to let you join.

Good luck.

ETA - just read you last post saying that you are already competing on a ticket so I assume you are doing affiliated novice tests already? If so then they are decent scores and you should go for it.

[holiday]

Go for it i compete my 12.2 welsh b stallion im waiting til after trailblazers to affiliate him as if he gets any points he cant do the prelims, but im an adult on a pony and also compete my 13.2hh nobody has questioned it and i am too big for them both but natives are bred for adults to ride so lets hear it for the ponies

You can as ditz says ride the prelims with out affiliating it gives you a insite to how the judges thinks your pony is working - Harry did his 1st affiliated the other week and came second on 65.91%

I dont think they make dressage saddles small enough i compete in a working hunter type saddle as well.

[FudgieFoo]

Definately go for it!!!! I wish I had earlier. I'm sure you look just fine and natives can do pretty much anything. GOOD LUCK!