Post by silver on Apr 12, 2009 19:50:15 GMT
Possibly a contentious rant I apologise in advance.
I went to the BSPS champs on Saturday for a nosey, it is 20 years since I was on little ponies, but I love going to watch these things (I would love to be a lead rein mummy but couldnt handle the raising children aspect!)
Lovely day, great venue (although wouldnt have like to have competed as couldnt see much warm up?) and generally a nice day out.
Only slightly marred by seeing one young girl on, I guess, something around 13h walking it around the horsewalks around the rings in draw reins. Very very tightly held in draw reins - her legs were flapping around to keep it going forward.
Now I dont want this to be an anti draw reins rant as I have and do use them myself, and personally i feel that in the right hands draw reins are no worse a tool than a snaffle in bad hands.
But I just cant see that young jockeys have the feel and skill and strength of seat and leg to ride effectively in them. These were definately being used first and foremost to pull the head in and any activity was attempting to come second from the riders busy legs.
On a more positive note, its worth commenting that we saw some cracking jockeys on Saturday, lovely quality ponies that were superbly turned out (was noseying around behind the scenes for hints and tips!) and everyone was very friendly.
Just the one child in the red draw reins on a bay pony that really rather spoilt the whole scene for us.
What are the rules about what you can warm up in? I have had more of a dressage background I suppose and so used to the fact that you can only warm up in what you compete in.
I went to the BSPS champs on Saturday for a nosey, it is 20 years since I was on little ponies, but I love going to watch these things (I would love to be a lead rein mummy but couldnt handle the raising children aspect!)
Lovely day, great venue (although wouldnt have like to have competed as couldnt see much warm up?) and generally a nice day out.
Only slightly marred by seeing one young girl on, I guess, something around 13h walking it around the horsewalks around the rings in draw reins. Very very tightly held in draw reins - her legs were flapping around to keep it going forward.
Now I dont want this to be an anti draw reins rant as I have and do use them myself, and personally i feel that in the right hands draw reins are no worse a tool than a snaffle in bad hands.
But I just cant see that young jockeys have the feel and skill and strength of seat and leg to ride effectively in them. These were definately being used first and foremost to pull the head in and any activity was attempting to come second from the riders busy legs.
On a more positive note, its worth commenting that we saw some cracking jockeys on Saturday, lovely quality ponies that were superbly turned out (was noseying around behind the scenes for hints and tips!) and everyone was very friendly.
Just the one child in the red draw reins on a bay pony that really rather spoilt the whole scene for us.
What are the rules about what you can warm up in? I have had more of a dressage background I suppose and so used to the fact that you can only warm up in what you compete in.
May be worthwhile mentioning to area chairmen, or sending a letter to BSPS to ask them to ensure rules are kept to? 
?? What happened to using legs and using seat? Although I confess that when out hacking I always do carry one, and I allow the girls to have them now that they are older - although they would be removed for overuse straight away! I cannot bear to see people smacking a horse repeatedly - use it once, twice at the most if its necessary and that is all!