pot hunters

[xxshowponyxx]

It really is down to the riding club to put on suitable classes so there is something for everyone-best 1st pony, or riding school pony for example so there is a class for everyone.

Also things like handy pony and jumping classes are open to everyone and will give a level playing field for all entrants.

If you particularly want to enter a showing class then you have no option but to compete against people who only show, but should look at this as an opportunity to learn from those people and continuously improve, after all these people in turn have to compete against the producers when they go to HOYS.

[Milliesmum]

You could have classes like 'Best New Combination' for riders in their first year of riding a new pony, 'Newcomers Showing' for riders competing in their first season of showing, or 'Family Pony' - it just takes a bit of imagination! And the schedule should clearly state who is excluded from these classes. Having said that, if people do want to up their game and compete at a higher level, the saying 'watch and learn' comes into play, depends how competitive you are or if you're content to stay doing what you are doing.

[lozloz1]

Nov 21, 2010 19:31:49 GMT hs said:

i am afraid i still don't get it as why if you have a HOYs horse or pony could you not go to an affiliated class to practice/learn ring craft/bring on a youngster, yes you might come last but you if are only eligible to do an open class you might learn more from watching the professionals than going to a local show.

I agree hs, nicely put but yes you're right about schedules milliesmum, I bet that could help

[GoldDust]

I think milliesmum is right with this, if they made a class for PC/RS ponies AND HOYS quality ponies, it would save a lot of the upset and give everyone a fair chance - that way people competing at local level for experience/ringcraft but with HOYS quality ponies would still get the smaller show etc, and children with ponies only up to RC level would be given a fair chance as well :-)

[dazycutter]

I actually dont agree with taking top class county ponies or horses to local shows.. If you have a new combination, then by all means but go hors concours. If they are youngsters too.. then that is a different story..

I have seen far too many top class HOYS and RI ponies touted around local shows just for the pot hunting and its a disgrace. there4 is nothing worse than local kids on their ponies trying their best to be faced by a top class pony and rider turned out to the hilt... Local shows should actually put a cap on the classes like they do at dog shows so if you have a pony/horse of a certain level you cannot dumb down..

To say that it makes the local peeps up their game is a bit silly really as these people probably dont have the finance, the rider or the wish to do top class show level. As we all know, its expensive and often soul destroying...

[frozzy]

My friends daughter has done this for a couple of years (horses not ponies but she is under25 so does some Pony Club stuff too) She has had three top class horses re- names them then promptly does all the Pony Club, RC stuff local shows etc etc. Blatant pot hunting because she likes to have a cabinet full of silverware.!

[tabbyx]

i'll be taking my 138cm sp to a couple of locals at the beginning of the year,he is 6 this coming year but may aswell be a 4yr old with the amount of experience he's had. we just need somewhere small,where he knows that he's in the ring but we don't have the pressure where we can just work on getting him going better in the go round.
i will also take a youngster that i'm hopefully having in as he hasn't been worked since july and is completely unshown. so i will need somewhere small to start him off.
i certainly do not go pot hunting,i have done local on my section A this last year as he wasn't ready for the big shows,we often got beaten

[erithstud]

we use our local shows as a stepping stone for all of our youngsters or for our novice riders. i think it is important to show our support for our local show, afterall with the entries dropping so low this year i'm sure everyone should show spport for their local shows or there will be far fewer in the next few years??

[ilovebuckroox]

Only read a few comments, and i see both sides!

But what really annoys me is at RC trophy shows! I have a local riding club less than 5 min drive down the road, I only take my youngsters to get them out (and i also ride one for someone else which is only at rc level). Anyway, at trophy shows you always have them 'few people' who just go purely for the trophies and supreme champion. I'm only 14 and I have never been fussed about how many trophies I have! I just see it pointless that people have gone and bought a nice top class pony and then taken it to this one show (not RC) just to win all the trophies? How is that fair on anyone else?
I mean i have a pony who has been to hoys twice (last time in 2006) , he is now 14 and i have only had him 8months, and i take him to another rc were the jumps are higher, but i dont take him there to win, i take him to have fun, and if it goes wrong it goes wrong. I just use it as a practice as i would love to qualify him for hoys this next year (if im lucky)!!
Well theres my view .

[mcw]

i was once accused of pot hunting, and not meaning to be rude, i told them to shove it up where the sun don't shine because, we had supported that riding club for years!

[boots & saddles]

just because i worked hard and went without holidays etc and brought my daughter a top class section d, does not mean that i can afford to pay to show at a high level, im not breaking any rules and we are home produced so i will take my horse were ever i choose to show it and if we win so what, if any of you want to sponser me and fund my horse at bigger shows then thats fine but untill you do please keep you silly comments to yourself when you dont know peoples finacial situations as they can change,

[Snowy]

Jan 11, 2011 15:03:08 GMT boots & saddles said:

just because i worked hard and went without holidays etc and brought my daughter a top class section d, does not mean that i can afford to pay to show at a high level, im not breaking any rules and we are home produced so i will take my horse were ever i choose to show it and if we win so what, if any of you want to sponser me and fund my horse at bigger shows then thats fine but untill you do please keep you silly comments to yourself when you dont know peoples finacial situations as they can change,

I feel the same, us home produced people cannot afford to go to all the top, £30/40 a class, shows! We try our best to stick to our D's level but when our ponies have been out of work over winter and need to be easied back into swing of things I, personally, cannot afford to go straight back into the top for what is probably going to be a waste because their only just coming back out for the season. I believe that's what pre-season shows are for.

However I do not agree with people who dumb down their ponies mid way through the season because they have no where else to go. "we've qualified for HOYS so no need to chase them any more... so lets go to the local RC to keep them out and about"<<< Now thats unfair!!

[lovinglife]

We compete at hoys etc and we do take our ponies local level early season. Where else are we expected to educate young ponies/New combinations They all have to start somewhere and a quite show is much nicer for a young pony/horse. We pay the same entry fee as every one else so should be entitled to enter what we like. Of course we wouldnt do fun classes but on that subject even our small riders deserve a bit of fun now and again. AND NOW YES YOU CAN SHOOT ME!!!!!! Do you ever hear producers moaning that home produced competitors should not be at the big shows. I think not

[Milliesmum]

In reference to the comment above about taking a novice out to an affiliated show and coming last - the thing is, if you do that then those results are on that pony's show record, and there for anyone who knows how to use google to have a look at! If a producer or high level showing person is bringing on a novice to sell, then they want it to have an exemplary show record for any prospective purchasers to see, hence them getting in the practice at local level - if they are going affiliated they won't go until they are capable of getting a good result.

[Nikki]

I am a local level show-er. My pony is in no way HOY level or even really county level as hes a bit mis match and has a fair few scars.

We compete veteran, so his scars arent counted but hes not the best put together and no matter how foot perfect he goes on the day or how good a ride I give him hes not even guaranteed placed in local level He does well I have all colours of rossies but I dont go expecting one

I do however take offence to the person (sports-horse-whatever) who say that if you dont like it up your game, how rude, not all of us can afford to buy HOYS qualified ponies/horses and to be honest my little golden oldie does more than just show he gives me lots of fun and good times being a jack of all trades.

I show for fun but I have to say I detest pot hunters, i have seen my fair share and I just shrug that they need to take the rossies from local shows to make themselves feel better and fill their silverware cabinet for the sake of their ego and appearances.

Showing should be a fun thing for those involved, the annoyance for me also comes from the kids who are used to winning that throw a tantrum and blame the pony or scream that they want a new one due to the fact they didnt get the red rossie this time

*steps off soapbax*

[hs]

I don't think people mind so much with novice ponies and riders it is just when you have very successful ones that are going to win very easily, it is not very sporting.

there is a combination locally that has been to HOYS and done very well and still competes at local level and wins everything. I am in an area where there are affiliated shows nearly every month and except for the county shows, the cost to enter is the same so there is no financial benefit.

however i would say it is worse in dressage and show jumping. There is a lady who enter the restricted prelim when she is not eligible and also enter the walk trot, when she is in a RC team competing at novice level.

I was also at a show jumping show where a girl entered the beginners jumping when she and her pony are on the pony club SJ team and have won loads. Her mum's excuse was that it was the first show of the season.

However there are plenty of honest people about who are not like that. If my pony was very successful and I qualified for the big championships I would not do local shows I would save up and go to the affiliated ones, or just do less or try alternative classes like dressage or show jumping instead but then I enjoy both as much as showing as I am a bit of an all rounder.

[hs]

i dont really understand this as we don't get the professional dressage and show jumping riders taking their novices that they might want to sell on round the local riding club events, why is showing different?

Feb 6, 2011 11:46:51 GMT Milliesmum said:

In reference to the comment above about taking a novice out to an affiliated show and coming last - the thing is, if you do that then those results are on that pony's show record, and there for anyone who knows how to use google to have a look at! If a producer or high level showing person is bringing on a novice to sell, then they want it to have an exemplary show record for any prospective purchasers to see, hence them getting in the practice at local level - if they are going affiliated they won't go until they are capable of getting a good result.

[sporthorsecheshire]

Nikki
Apologies. No offence meant honest

People who know me no that I am not a snob at all and am mortified if I have offended anyone so for that I am truly sorry.

In my opinion Upping game is not meant simply for people to go out and spend money on better ponies but to observe why these ponies are better. They might simply be a stunning animal but no animal is without fault. However stunning.
Also, that particular pony is not simply being judged on stationary beauty. It's being judged on way of going etc and when I'm judging I take into account the jockey aswell.

This is wat I mean when I say upping game it is meant as constructive to encourage people not to be defeatist and say 'can my pony look better', 'can my pony go better,' 'can my jockey improve their riding,' things like that.

Hope my comments are taken as they are indented having recently been on receiving end of malicious gossip about a pony I just bought ( a youngster)

xx

[bonnieheather]

I can personally speak up for sporthorsecheshire, and think that her comments have been taken in a different way to how they were meant...they were more words of encouragement, and not meaning to put your hand in your pocket and move up; upping your game is very different indeed....

Perhaps what is needed are some earlier affiliated 'friendly' shows, with maybe lower entry fees for those wishing to get their youngsters or new combinations out, there seems to be a call from it just from reading this...

It's a difficult one, as those aren't the only circumstances that occur.

But, what happens to HOYS ponies that no longer compete at that level, surely they can't all stay at that level for the remainder of their career, but they don't have to be retired? They must have valuable experience to younger riders, be it at whatever level.

[sarahp]

Well when I was younger ponies were for riding, and showing was something you did with a pony in its younger days with a view to it going on to a proper career under saddle after that, dressage, jumping, eventing, PC, hunting or whatever! Ours at home have always done things as well as been shown.

[Nikki]

Ok fair enough if thats not how it was meant and you have explained so now I understand

;D

[halfpass]

Feb 9, 2011 9:18:20 GMT sarahp said:

Well when I was younger ponies were for riding, and showing was something you did with a pony in its younger days with a view to it going on to a proper career under saddle after that, dressage, jumping, eventing, PC, hunting or whatever! Ours at home have always done things as well as been shown.

that was how it was for me growing up, most horses/ponies would only do one or two seasons before they went on to their proper jobs, they were not career show animals.

[Snowy]

I don't think you can say that showing isn't a proper job. There are lots of ponies and producers out there who enjoy their showing jobs. I do believe a pony or horse should have a varied life but if they enjoy and are best in the ring then surely it is a proper job

[sarahp]

They do though get past their best for showing at a relatively young age when they should still have years of being able to be ridden ahead of them. My daughter had a wonderful time doing all sorts of stuff with a wonderful Welsh B ex top WHP bought when he was 14yo. You can retire a mare to stud but not a gelding!

[halfpass]

Feb 9, 2011 18:16:32 GMT Snowy said:

I don't think you can say that showing isn't a proper job. There are lots of ponies and producers out there who enjoy their showing jobs. I do believe a pony or horse should have a varied life but if they enjoy and are best in the ring then surely it is a proper job

yes there are but a lot of the producers have young stock coming along and something new coming out each year, and I agree a lot of people including myself derive a lot of fun from showing but in years past the show-ring was a shop window to show what was being bred for what job, we then did not have the amount of classes that there are today, in fact if you had M&M's it was very difficult to find ridden classes for them once their in-hand careers had finished, now that has all changed for the better I'm glad to say, but there must be a place for these ex top animals to go once they are no longer at the top, so why not at a lower level where they can teach the next generation of young riders how to do it.

[mamanag]

i have quality animals the youngsters are taken local level for experience after that we like to up the game my view is why would i want to take my horse local level ..if its quality and going well i want the competition,i want to be up against the producers and the best to gage my own success.Showing is a competitive sport, i am selective which shows i go to due to costs and only feel truly merited if i feel i have earned my place in the line up .Local level i still attend on foot as always support my local club and on hand to groom!!!

[hs]

mamanag you have described it so well, i think there is greater satisfaction coming say 2nd or 3rd in top quality company than coming first in a less strong field. it is like winning a class when you are only person in it, very little achievement in that!

Why do horses and ponies get past their best for showing at a younger age than other competition horses? Is it because of the way they are treated or is it ageism on behalf of the judges? I can't see a reason why horses and ponies can't continue to show competitively when they are older if they are still sound and not ring sour, why do they need to retire to local level? The VHS qualifiers with a final at Olympia are for older horses could be a good choice for the older show horse or pony.

[sarahp]

It's a fact of life that none of us look as good when we get older as we did when young, which would count against them in showing but not in "doing" outside the show ring. I have just lent a 17yo D gelding to a novice, he is restoring her damaged confidence and giving her a lot of fun while being loved and spoilt to death. In his youth he was 4th at RWAS under saddle and qualified for the Picton Final but you wouldn't put him in the show ring now. I'm so pleased he has a job to do.

[halfpass]

Feb 9, 2011 22:03:50 GMT hs said:

Why do horses and ponies get past their best for showing at a younger age than other competition horses? Is it because of the way they are treated or is it ageism on behalf of the judges? I can't see a reason why horses and ponies can't continue to show competitively when they are older if they are still sound and not ring sour, why do they need to retire to local level? The VHS qualifiers with a final at Olympia are for older horses could be a good choice for the older show horse or pony.

funny how quite a few of the VHS qualifiers are held at riding club shows.

[roxanne]

Feb 8, 2011 21:42:50 GMT sporthorsecheshire said:

Nikki
Apologies. No offence meant honest

People who know me no that I am not a snob at all and am mortified if I have offended anyone so for that I am truly sorry.

In my opinion Upping game is not meant simply for people to go out and spend money on better ponies but to observe why these ponies are better. They might simply be a stunning animal but no animal is without fault. However stunning.
Also, that particular pony is not simply being judged on stationary beauty. It's being judged on way of going etc and when I'm judging I take into account the jockey aswell.

This is wat I mean when I say upping game it is meant as constructive to encourage people not to be defeatist and say 'can my pony look better', 'can my pony go better,' 'can my jockey improve their riding,' things like that.

Hope my comments are taken as they are indented having recently been on receiving end of malicious gossip about a pony I just bought ( a youngster)

xx

But surely you must understand it is not always possible to 'up your game'. I love my mare dearly she is my horse of a lifetime and I wouldn't swap her for the world, she does well at local and RC level and has done reasonably well in the few P(UK) qualifier classes she has done but no matter what I do she will never be a county or HOY's horse it is just beyond her capabilities.
I have worked really hard to make sure she is well schooled for ride judges, well mannered and correctly turned out for her class and always immaculate. One very well respected judge rode her at an unaffiliated championship show and got off with a big grin on his face and said at the end that she was a cracking horse but not a show horse but she did well in the class because the class was at the appropriate level for her.
I have taken her to bigger shows and competed against HOY's and RIHS horses and she is simply out classed by them not because she goes badly or is turned out wrong they are simply a better stamp of animal than she is and I am realistic about this not defeatist.