kids ridding in first ridden and lead rain

[cassie30]

Does it really matter? The tot's always beat the older kids anyway or atleast in our experience!

[fox111]

its difficult when children are ready to go onto fr yet need more confidence and ring craft and i agree tots usually have the ahh factor

[lottieloo]

I read this thread yesterday and have since been putting a lot of thought to it!!!

I do think that a child who is capable of riding in open classes should no way still be competing on the lead.

I also think that the classes should be judged the other way around - first ridden being the first class followed then, by the lead rein. It would make it a bit easier for a judge to see a true lead rein pony and not a pony which is being actually 'ridden' by a more than capable jockey (a bit of an unfair advantage I would say) especially when the same pony is being used for first ridden and lead rein.

I do acknowledge the fact that the transisiton from lead rein is hard for children to make. On the lead they do not have to think about other ponies or distractions in the ring, and wouldn't really have to think much about their individual show. On their own there is a lot to concentrate on.

I have all the trials and tribulations of first ridden yet to come and I am not looking forward to it!!

[crimson]

I dont have a problem with it as a confidence builder at all in children. It would seem like pot hunting though if the same combination were in lead rein, first ridden and an open class too, especially if they were in the running to win them all. What can the judges do though if they are the best in the ring? I think we all have to rely on everyone having honesty and sportsmanship.

Next year I am planning to venture into lead rein showing for the first time with my step daughter. I am prepared to be bottom of the line though, the jockey will be 8 and unfortunately due to circumstances only gets to ride once a week at most and after only a year of riding will be no where near ready for a first ridden class. Although keen and learning quickly she has an added disadvantage of being tall for her age and I know we wont make as cute a picture as a tiny tot who rides most days.

[essendy]

Was at a local show last weekend. And the Supreme of the show was a lovely leadrein. It is a new pony to the family and the combination did go on to do the 1st ridden getting 3rd. They plan to do a few leadrein classes to finish off this season just so the partnership can gel then its 1st ridden next year. I see no problem in this, what annoys me is the child who is at the upper limit of leadrein, doing that class, then the 1st ridden and often seen doing either the WHP or Open ridden classes.

[snowflake]

yes maybe it is giving children a chance competing in both and there is no major problem but, children on the lead rein who also ride off are MORE experienced on the lead rein and know 'the tricks'. I wouldn't be 'ANNOYED' of it though.

[sunnybear]

i think that we should encourage young riders to do both classes coz there's no harm!!! is there?

thanks!

[sunnybear]

it's better to incourage them than discourage them, isn't it?!