Why not go into horse classes???

[hackety]

Thought that this is quite a good topic for discussion on it's own and then we aren't getting the Intermediate thread off track!

[Molly]

The horse classes aren't bad..but i think the cost of buying and keeping a large animal puts people off if they aren't made of money.

To produce a large horse for the ring takes quite alot of time and its something that cannot be rushed.

I think when you reach the top in the pony world and you and your pony are well known etc people dont want to go into the adult world, its abit like suddenly being a small fish in a huge pond.

Although everyone is very nice and always will greet you and say well done, its a total different ball game from the ponies.

At RIHS this year i was waiting to go into the large hack class and was speaking to Charles Le Moignon (Spelling ) & he was a lovely bloke, saying its good that a intermediate ride like my self has ventured into the hacks.

I dont mind the hacks at all, just seems alot more facey ness goes on in those classes.

[showponyfan]

Molly have you read the comments made by myself and peterpan on the intermediate thread we have explained in great detail why not everyone wants to join the BSHC and i wish you lots of luck if you enjoy it good on you but we should not be made to feel a failure because we dont want to move out of the BSPS. There are lots of genuine reasons for people wanting to stay with the BSPS and i will not be told what i should do i will do what i enjoy doing and i am not ashamed to say i dont want to leave the intermediate classes.

[hackety]

Although I do not understand the reasoning, I do respect your point of view showponyfan and think it is a real shame that you don't want to leave the BSPS. However, it is a natural progression, we grow up and move on allowing the new faces to come through in the places that we leave when we hit the magical 25.

At least now the BSPS has introduced the Associate Horse classes you can do those classes with your Int when you are over the age limit, although there is little if any prestige.

I think that the BSPS has done more than it's fair share to keep the older membership but shouldn't pursue them any further. I am not sure whether the soon to be out of Int jockeys feel that they should be catered for when they turn 25. Do they want BSPS classes that can take them to RIHS and HOYS and therefore they just keep being recycled through the BSPS.

[On the Fence]

I agree that moving in to hacks, cobs, hunters or RH classes is a natural progression. However, a lot of people will have been members since being in l.r./f.r. or 12.2's, and will probably feel a sense of attachment/loyalty to the BSPS, esp if they are competing within their comfort zone!

Take the plunge, challange yourselves and do BSHS when the time comes!

[leo]

It means plaiting!! That's why

[showponyfan]

Hackety I feel you are extremly rude to the int riders who want to stay with the BSPS what right have you to make out there is something wrong with these riders for not wanting to join the corrupt BSHC society, you do not listen to people Peterpan explained yesterday in great detail, she has tried the hack classes so what bit of she does not enjoy them do you not understand. Some people on here cannot understand that we want the BSPS to do horse classes as we want to stay with the society that we love we are NOT scared of going out in the big world WE DO NOT WANT TO there is a diffrence I do not like the way horse classes are judged. I can not make it any clearer and all i want to know is why you cannot accept that fact.

[hackety]

leo said:

It means plaiting!! That's why

Buy a coblet (if you can find one) then you can let the clippers do the work!

[hackety]

showponyfan said:

Hackety I feel you are extremly rude to the int riders who want to stay with the BSPS what right have you to make out there is something wrong with these riders for not wanting to join the corrupt BSHC society, you do not listen to people Peterpan explained yesterday in great detail, she has tried the hack classes so what bit of she does not enjoy them do you not understand. Some people on here cannot understand that we want the BSPS to do horse classes as we want to stay with the society that we love we are NOT scared of going out in the big world WE DO NOT WANT TO there is a diffrence I do not like the way horse classes are judged. I can not make it any clearer and all i want to know is why you cannot accept that fact.

showponyfan, if you are offended by anything I have written I apologise, like you, I am exercising my right to voice an opinion. I do not think that I have put anything offensive but maybe if you are sensitive about the subject then you will find offense.

I am saying that I understand your views, but perhaps it is you that is not taking in what I am saying ......... what are you expecting to happen with the BSPS? Do you expect them to try and get Associate horse classes at the RIHS and HOYS? How is this supposed to work? Just because you do not like the BSHC & RHA (BSHA) doesn't entitle you to extra classes or changes in age limits.

Please do not make an argument where there isn't one! This is a healthy debate, not a mud slinging contest!

[unsure]

I always thought it was natural progression to move in to horse classes I know with some pony riders it they wouldn't as they can't throw their toys out so easily when they're on horses.
But given that I am a small fish in the big BSPS pony, I expect I shall feel like a minnow in the small hunter classes., hence why I will carry on with both, and continue with the M&M's

[unsure]

that should be bsps pond

[hackety]

Good on you unsure! At least if you combine the two while you still can it allows you to aclimatise yourself to the horse crowd.
If you make an effort with people, they will be really good to you. The big names who you might find intimidating are very approachable and helpful and do contrary to belief like to see new faces.

[showponies]

the reason i have not gone off into horse calsses is because i love ponies to much. i have a horse at home that we do dressage and showjumping with and a bit of showing just agric not at a high level, but i don't enjoy this anywhere near as much as the ponies. They are a completely different kettle of fish and i think their should be classes introduced that allows adults to continue riding ponies if the wish to!! Just my opinion

[meagian]

i'd rather be seen as a failure and stop with the BSPS and enjoy myself than move into horse classes and not enjoy it. It all costs to much money not to be enjoyed!

[tustus]

I've voiced my opinons on the other thread. I'm a young person who has enjoyed the transition from pony to horse classes and the challeges it provided. I have a very limited budget and haven't found it any more expensive than showing with the BSPS with an intermediate.

It does feel like a natural progression and it's such a shame that some people aren't willing to join the BSH society and change it from within if they want something different, and instead want to stay in the BSPS and compete against people a lot younger than themselves.

[showponyfan]

Meagian you are not a failure for wanting to stay with thw BSPS people do not understand that there can be more than one society that can have horse classes its just up to now there as only been the one, if enough people campain the BSPS will listen after all they have made so many changes already it is the biggest and best society and to quote Pat Pattinson in the Nov /Dec review
"I belive the quality line up of our supreme Championship can not be bettered anywhere in the equestrian world" My sentiments exactly why should we want to leave the M&Ms are now part of the BSPS they are adults so what is the problem, freedom of choice is what we need, the BSPS could up the age of the intermediates or get RIHS and HOYS status for the associate classes, i prefer to see my daughter ride our horse than a judge but everyone should be prepared to compromise and rather that than leave. I can see only one problem these classes would create and that would be the size they would be huge classes and i fear that is why the BSHC do not want them they would get even less riders joining them i feel that it is the BSHC that are scared of the BSPS having these classes. In all walks of life people have choices how would it be if we all had only 1 choice of supermerket, they could do whatever they wanted regardless of the customers wants. This is the same kind of thing if there is no other society that has horse classes those who want to show have joined the BSHC but if the BSPS had a suitable class not as many would join them.

[hackety]

You are missing a point here The Associate Horse classes are ridden by the judge! You are judged most of the time by someone who also belongs to a horsey panel. Also, if you managed to campaign and banner wave at the BSPS and they in turn managed to get qualifying status for these classes with the RIHS (despite there already being the traditionally recognised classes) then you would just end up with all the big horse names in the Associates being judged by horse judges. Almost ironic! ;D

I have absolutely no problem with young people opting to stay with the BSPS for whatever reason, but you cannot expect classes to be laid on for you if you don't want to progress through the traditional channels. I very much doubt that the hack & cob lot are worried about other societies putting on horse classes. The Association is growing and evolving every year and Brian Williams and his board are committed to the improvements that have been and continue to be made.

We will probably have to agree to disagree on this topic showponyfan. I think it is almost exhausted but it has been a pleasure debating this with you.