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Post by heart2heart on Sept 6, 2014 17:44:22 GMT
We took our 5 year old section a to The British elite today. Tried the in hand before we attempt lead rein as wanted to test him in a busy arena without precious child on board first! He was amazing in terms of behaviour. My husband (bless him) has never done a class in his life and isn't horsey so in the first class he didn't show off his trot very well as we have taught the pony to trot very carefully so as not to unseat his little jockey. I was quite impressed he remembered this in this busy environment so it bodes well for lead rein. Second class my husband ran very fast and got him to move better. He came 7th in first class and 5th in second (same judge though). My question is he is a very athletic looking A. He never gets fat and isn't as broad and chunky and isn't wide. He is compact and short backed. He didn't look anywhere ear as "typey" as they other As in the class that were very wide, flat backed with no wither and quite rotund! Wondering if he would be a better show hunter? Thoughts on him and what he'd suit? Either way I am very happy with his ability as a kids pony which is the most important job to us. <3 Attachments:
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Post by heart2heart on Sept 6, 2014 17:51:40 GMT
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Post by heart2heart on Sept 6, 2014 17:52:44 GMT
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Post by daisycutter on Sept 6, 2014 18:46:00 GMT
Hi I think he is a lovely pony, a lot of section a's are to wide, also in the in hand classes there are ponies that are only ever shown in hand so they are well practiced.
Try putting him in a in- hand bridle next time the one's with brass fittings and a little neat bit, this will show off his lovely head.
Hope this helps.
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Post by nici on Sept 7, 2014 22:14:17 GMT
Inhand classes can be very wizzy places so well done to your pony for remembering his main job and trotting nicely. TBH for a child's leadrein pony I'd be tempted to give inhand a miss, or use it for show practice, keeping to a LR type trot and forgetting about powering down the line. Better IMO that they learn shows are not exciting places and they don't have to trot bigger or faster than usual at them!
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Post by Philippa on Sept 8, 2014 0:04:03 GMT
Inhand classes can be very wizzy places so well done to your pony for remembering his main job and trotting nicely. TBH for a child's leadrein pony I'd be tempted to give inhand a miss, or use it for show practice, keeping to a LR type trot and forgetting about powering down the line. Better IMO that they learn shows are not exciting places and they don't have to trot bigger or faster than usual at them! Good advice. It's very rare you will get a pony who can do both jobs. And it's extremely difficult to tame that trot once it's out there!!
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Post by izzybepop on Sept 9, 2014 20:37:01 GMT
I would keep him as a M&M LR. You will find lot of sec A's in the LR class are not as wide as those in hand as they have to carry small children so need to accomodate the saddle and little riders legs comfortably. LR classes are also a lot about the suitability of the pony for a small rider not just the type and from what you say he is going to be good at that job.
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Post by honeypot on Sept 9, 2014 22:32:35 GMT
I have a Welsh A that was shown inhand a lot as a youngster and is used to big shows. He is very calm will stand at the lorry for hours but as soon as you put a bridle on him becomes unsettled and fidgets in the ring. The trot is starting to slow down and will go in the ring quietly without a bridle. I would forget in hand, do him well as a ridden and he will have a job for life however typey or not he is.
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Post by norwalk on Sept 11, 2014 9:44:53 GMT
I think he's a lovely type for the M&m LR! Very welsh head and looks dinky! You're right in what you're doing - use the inhand as a practice for LR. As others have said, it's difficult to do both jobs properly - safety and good rhythm is your priority. If you raise his game as an inhander you may jeopardise that! Also, the types are quite different - a good LR pony doesn't necessarily do well against the Inhanders on type, they are generally neater and less extravagent movers (otherwise tiny child would fall out the back door !). Geldings also find it more difficult to be placed... There are exceptions, some have done both, but if starting out I would stick to the way of going that suits his main job, any other classes are a bonus for a bit more fun and experience! Hey, and well done for getting non horsey hubby trained and handling - you're a better woman than me!!! Good luck with him, hope we whe hear how you get on xx
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