First Year First Ridden

[serendipity]

I think its a shame that this class seems to be necessary. Originally there was lead rein and then there was 12.2 show pony class. First ridden was put in to help the transition. Originally the maximum age was 9.

M&M showing spoilt this class by allowing children up to 12 and even 13 to enter this class, so we now have to put another transition class in because the little ones coming off the lead understandably struggle to complete with the little "professional" jockeys of 11 and 12 who also enter the open classes and worker classes.

[bunny]

agree to a degree, my 9 yr old enjoys open classes as well as FR and the FR is so professional, my 5yr old daughter wants to do FR as her pony has given her so much confidence so its nice to have a class that gives her that opportunity. We were in at Warren Farm, can see both sides, my daughter didnt get a place but that didnt matter to her, she likes to do her figure of 8 and did a fantastic job unaided.

It depends on what the judge is looking for on that occasion but possibly the criteria needs clarifying as to who is eligible, it would have been nice to give a quick comment and a special rosette to each competitor and that was my only gripe but I know most shows do this.

[4emms]

Hmm, I also attended the Warren Farm show, but have the advantage of not knowing any of the children from that class (except my own) so cannot comment on other participants previous record. I can see the points of view of the posts above and agree with several points, but do disagree with some too.

We don't have expensive ponies or the flashy wagon and couldn't justify the expense of many classes, even if we could enter them with our scraggy pitponies. I would just like the idea of the intermediate class where the little ones don't have to canter, or trot together in the go round to remain as the transition class with an opportunity for the effort to be recognised. In an ideal world the same children in the class at the first show would be ready to move up or attempt different classes before the end of the season, and so wouldn't be still entering it year after year. My daughter is coming off LR this year, purely because she won the LR points for her RC last year and I want her to have something to stretch herself for and progress. To me there is no point in staying on LR just because she is old enough, the long term objective is to get confident enough to ride alone, including on a showground. The placings in a class aren't important as long as everyone has competed appropriately.

Perhaps we need many more of these type of 'development' classes or even clinics to allow our children to give it a go. I for one would be very happy if we could start a regular class, perhaps it could be members only and award progress charts or give out homework tailored to each child so that they had the chance to 'play with friends', have fun, enhance their skills and have the recognition at the end of it. It would do wonders for their confidence.

Perhaps we need to set up a NW Kids Riding Club - find a venue, local judge/instructor etc and organise something, we could do dressage/jumping/beach trips/handy pony practice etc.........any ideas?

Yes the attitude of the adults does spoil it, especially when it is already reflected in the child's attitude even at such a young age.

[ponymum]

pcm - surely that is what pc rallies are for??