Lead Rein.... Who is it actually for???!!!

[colouredpony14]

Sept 16, 2011 18:54:49 GMT jaycee said:

Well said muggley, and some of their lead rein ponies are exactly that, little paragons on the lead but not always trustworthy without their leader. Some would put a child off for life if you tried to turn them into a FR, and a sensible parent wont rush or push a child to take the next step till they are ready themselves.

Couldn't agree more, but then how do you judge a tiny tot who cannot be off the leadrein AT ALL, to a child that is a lot older and bigger who can clearly ride, but also on the leadrein?

Yes it may not be appropriate removing that safety net, but then don't unclip your childs "Safety net" at the end of the class and let her/him go on and canter back to the lorry!

[baggygirl]

I remember once that i have eliminated in a whp class, but i was pleased because i did jump a really scary technical fence so i came out of the ring looking fairly pleased and then i suddenley received nasty and horrid looks from rich families with forced children thinking why i was pleased even if i didn't get round the course.

I absolutely hate pushy parents, my mum is never one, she lets me enjoys my riding and is pleased when im pleased, although she would be quite happy for me to give up as it would save time and money etc!!! Lol

[sarahp]

Aren't they judging the pony and not the child colouredpony14?

[catkin]

Well, in my book they SHOULD be judging the pony. Its a pet hate of mine, child-judging in LR! So often I have seen (particularly at a local level) this class judged as a best child rider class and its not that, its a class for the judge to find the most suitable LR PONY. At a higher level conformation etc then come into it. Of course, a good and competent child will help the pony go better and thats an advantage, but on the other hand a dinky little child can improve the overall picture, so this can work both ways. One of my children is big for his age, and we gave up with LR because (quite apart from the fact he and I were bored rigid) so many judges kept saying, you really should be doing this on your own now. He was 4 or 5 at the time!! So, I think the best thing judges can do is keep judging the ponies! Rant over.

ps. we then bought my son a lovely old section B who took him off the lead happily at 5yrs, cantering, jumping the lot. We saw him out today when we went show jumping and he was doing the same for another little boy. Worth his weight in gold.

[Louise Dixon]

I once saw a little girl in tears because she didn't have a red rosette and her mummy 'would tell her off when they got home'. She was about 4, 5 at most. Another little girl of a very similar age went up to her and said 'Well I've got two red ones but I haven't got a yellow one. Yellow is pretty. Would you like to swap one of your yellow ones for one of my red ones?"
I think it would be fairly obvious who had enjoyed themselves more.

[nia2311]

If LR is about judging the best childs's pony, why have I seen clearly unsafe, spooky animals winning classes, while the safer, older animals are left down the line? I have seen a "LR" pony lunged for almost an hour, tiny tot plonked on and clinging onto a handle for dear life. Pony jumped sideways every time it went down a long side where cars/trailers were moving and child was precariously perched to say the least. Won the class against other, much safer ponies, with small children on board who could at least do a rising trot. I really have never understood what is more important in a LR class. We just turned up, tried our best and took what we got!

[hairycobrider]

Have read all of these posts. And I thought I was a mean mother but sounds like there are some horrors out there!!
My daughter did LR with dad last year and is doing FR this year with a few LR classes as she is only just 7 and much to my distress she wants to jump!!
I do get cross and grumpy at home becuase I want her to get it right - I'm OCD but I am also a nervous wreck - she qualified evening performance at Equifest and I was sick 5 times before she went in - first time she cantered in the ring it stressed me out that much that I got migraine and was sick!!! I don't care where she comes as long as she does the best she can. She had a wonderfully successful first season and has been lucky enough to secure sponsorship with Equivet for the 2012 season which we hope will be as fantastic as 2011!!
But I take no credit for her riding ability because if I had to teach her I would be one of those horrid mothers (I have no paitience - and couldn't teach anyone!) so she has regular lessons with an excellent teacher = and when I see how she deals with things I just follow it up inbetween the lessons!!

[Loopy]

Jun 11, 2011 16:31:57 GMT katealice89 said:

one of those kids who must find it hard to smile whilst concentration , she is always begging to go showing but when she gets in the ring the concentration scowl comes out

I have one of those faces as well.

[nomdeac]

Our story. My daughter was kindly given the ride on a SP LR that had previously won HOYS by a local professional yard. The pony was a bag of nerves and my daughter became frightened and didn't ride her well. So... the ride went to another jockey. Having been involved in professional showing my life I understood entirerly. We bought her an M&M lead rein who was a paragon of virtue on the lead. I have two season of the most enourmous fun qualifying for HOYS 1st time out both times. My daughter always looked a bit miserable though. Then we tried to turn him into a FR what a disaster. But I was determined and kept going for another two years until one day he shot under a cherry tree and nearly knocked her head off. By this time NOONE was having fun. Our daughter gave up riding, the pony has been loaned ot a good friend who is having a really fun time with him and I've bought myself a Connemara. AND my point is ...............LR showing is definately only for the Mummies, who are we trying to kid.

[bud86]

My daughter is 8 in September, after having a baby at the end of last year I didn't get her out hacking all winter. She is adamant to do FR
I'm going to let her do it at our local RC this season, don't think my nerves will take it though lol! She LOVES doing LR, but would much rather do FR. She is so dedicated bless her, I would never force her to do anything, but I don't feel like she has enough experience off the LR (at home) so she can try the novice FR.
Its me not her!
Hope everyone has a successful season! x

[nici]

Good idea in her first FR season to stick to small local shows, to let her gain experience and confidence. And if she's anything like Cerys, who took a whole season and more before she could consistently do a show in any shape ring, you'll be glad you're only paying a fiver a class for her to get lost and not HOYS entry fees ;D

Cerys couldn't wait to get off the lead - she made the decision not me, but I supported her, and am glad. She learned far more from riding on her own than from trudging along beside me, which she claimed was boring. And she didn't mind at all that she went from winning most of her classes in her last season on LR to coming pretty much last for much of the season in her first solo season. I made sure she knew that she was up against older, more experienced children in her classes, and that I was incredibly proud of her just for giving it a go, when she could have taken the safe option and stayed on LR...

And as for me, the day I threw away my LR skirt was a very happy occasion ;D

[think hard]

I had a wonderful little pony who was excellent at L/R. My child did not like to go showing so what did I do...... yes I borrowed a friends child who loved it but was not confident off the lead! So yes it was all about ME and my gorgeous pony and yes I had numerous outfits some from charity shops and some custom made. I never forced any child to ride, certainly did not scream at them or assault them in any way. I do not feel because I can afford the outfits I want that makes me bad or derogatory in any manner I work extremely hard for my money. I actually know someone who had another child so they could continue to show in L/R I do find that sad as the child will have No choice when older.
So yes it was all about ME and I was self indulgent, my pony also successful went on to be a FYFR/ open ridden and cradle stakes pony, all with borrowed jockeys who loved to ride him ( he's the sort hard to find) He is now happy retired from showing after 6 years of doing the job I bought him for... in his field teaching other children to ride and being a companion to my section D who I also ride for ME and with lots of outfits!

[sammiemooo]

Lead rein classes seem to become more and more poser classes in my opinion. The amount of little ones i see in make up , your lucky if i have a bit of eyeliner on at a show and i'm 17. Plus there are lots of parents who get a bit "stressed" at shows and take it on the kids who often haven't got a clue what it's all about there just told to sit there and smile. I've been schooling lead reins for a few years now as I know longer enjoy riding but love schooling little ones, but the amount of people who come to look at a pony and you can tell the mother wants it more than the child. I had bought my 6 now 7 year old a niece a novice show hunter but the person who broke him had messed it up, I schooled him through it, but he was just too sharp for a novice kiddy, but I have sold him to a very good friend that knew all about him and have a more experienced jockey. I have just bought a 14 year old school mistress for my niece to learn on as I would rather have her enjoy herself than be scared on a better pony. I'm just waiting for the "run faster aunty sammie" hehe. Mia loves showing but she almost gets stage fright when it comes to her salute (she suddenly realises everyones watching her), but I would never tell her off for not doing it!!

[bud86]

LOL Nici I'm the same! Can't wait to end it! I was told by the judge the other day 'Slow down,... you're not showing an in hand welsh'
TBH I find it hard to run slow, as I feel like a pansy! I'm too heavy footed ha ha!
Think Hard- That is completely your decision! You obviously didn't force the child to ride! (which is what I can't stand!)
Sammiemooo, hope your niece has a wicked season! Its all about having fun xxx

[magpie]

At a recent BSPS show, there was lots of tiddlywinks out showing, with their mothers trying to get their RIHS ticket. I went over to the M&M ring and there was the most gorgeous dartmoor that went on to win and go champ (it was my one to watch in my H&H report). I went over to chat after she had won and she was being led by her big sister (who is absolutely lovely!) The little girl, aged 4 was absolutely ecstatic that she had got a red rossette, but i believe she would be equally happy with any colour she would have got that day! She was more excited to tell me how she had a pink lorry and ive never seen a girl pat her pony as much as she did. it was clear she loving it. She didnt know what RIHS was, she was just happy to get a big rossette xx

[m1hht]

Taking my 3yr old for her 1st outing on Saturday. She was sobbing this morning as she doesn't understand she's got to wait till the weekend. We're on sleeps count down. She said she'd like a pink or purple rossette. I'll be happy as long as she enjoys herself and the pony goes well. Anything else is a bonus at this stage

[sageandonion]

Mar 7, 2012 18:26:58 GMT nomdeac said:

Our story. My daughter was kindly given the ride on a SP LR that had previously won HOYS by a local professional yard. The pony was a bag of nerves and my daughter became frightened and didn't ride her well. So... the ride went to another jockey. Having been involved in professional showing my life I understood entirerly. We bought her an M&M lead rein who was a paragon of virtue on the lead. I have two season of the most enourmous fun qualifying for HOYS 1st time out both times. My daughter always looked a bit miserable though. Then we tried to turn him into a FR what a disaster. But I was determined and kept going for another two years until one day he shot under a cherry tree and nearly knocked her head off. By this time NOONE was having fun. Our daughter gave up riding, the pony has been loaned ot a good friend who is having a really fun time with him and I've bought myself a Connemara. AND my point is ...............LR showing is definately only for the Mummies, who are we trying to kid.

At Last! a lady not in denial. Why not just say it how it is. It often doesn't stop at the lead rein stage though, it can go on well into the child's teens. There are so many pushy mothers, often on the PC Committee and similar who don't ride (having been scared to death) or have never ridden and they push push and critisise their own child, buy inappropriate ponies/horses and then bit*h and bash others in the peer group and their mothers.

Suggest to them that they go buy a horse for themselves and they are horrified and go on the attack. So, the floor is open ........

[amumwithapony]

We've done 1 L/R class in 5 years of showing with my daughters ponies. And we only did that because the pony we took was going to be offered for sale and we didn't want to tell someone she was good on the lead at shows when we didn't know for ourselves.

L/R classes are a funny thing. I've never been able to work out of the jockey, the ponys way of going or its confirmation and type are being judged or how matchy matchy the mum/jockey outfits are ;D

So although we may do a class or 2 at local level this year when my daughter fanices riding at a show rather than doing the in hand classes, we won't be doing anything serious. Faaaaar to much gear to get ready IMO.

Kids don't understand the difference between a HOYS qualifier and a RC show. But the L/R classes I have seen at big shows look horrendously long and boring for a 3/4/5 year old child to endure. If you ask the children what they would rather do I'm sure they would prefer to do smaller classes at smaller shows that sit on their pony for 2 hours in either the scorching sun or freezing cold or tipping down rain.

And as for rosettes, my daughter is trying to get a full spectrum of colours this year. She wants one in every colour so she can have a rainbow of rosesttes down the wall. So if she stands 1st/3rd/5th this year before she has done that don't be surprised if she offers you swappsies as we already have those colours LOL.

[m1hht]

I'm sure my daughter would be happy to do swappsies for the right colour. Lol. We're only doing it as she's sooooooo keen and has asked to go to shows. Won't be over facing her

[sometime]

I hate lead rein with a vengeance but my granddaughter wanted to ride in a show so off we popped pony the right size all dressed up to the nines and the pony was a little monster spinning and being naughty. She was scared as she hasnt been riding long and wanted to get off so mean granny made her stay do a little show and then take the pony up the lane still on his lead rein If I had let her get off she may never have got on a pony again so although she obviously didnt enjoy that show her tears were genuine and from fear. If it had been a big show I would have taken her out and walked around the showground a while but both learned a great lesson. Sometimes ponies are naughty and they scare you and that you can overcome your fear. Pony learned that being an idiot in the ring doesnt get you out of doing it. Next day she happily rode the other pony up the lanes on a hack without a lead rein trotting off on her own and with a smile like a sunbeam proud that she had coped. I am not pushy if she want me to sell the pony and get a quieter one I will but she said no she wanted to keep him and give him another chance. Next time she comes we will get her on the naughty pony and out and about to get her confidence in him back. I want her to ride but she has a choice I will never force her to do it the ponies are just big lawnmowers anyway. I will put some more work into him as he doesnt do a great deal and perhaps it was my fault for not making sure he was a little tired at the show. He is a young pony she has had him since a foal but has only recently decided she wants to do the ridden bit she mostly just wants to play with them poo pick and dig ragwort are her favourite occupations at the minute

[parsnip]

Had to laugh at that Sageandonion! It's a giveaway when Mummy has photos of herself in lead-rein outfit on her FB page too!
I have lead rein looming on the horizon as daughter No.2 is pony mad (at 2!) and has already stated that she is 'riding at a show' when running round the garden! She does think that galloping and jumping are what gets done at shows (SJ older sister!) so lead rein might be a bit staid! All the nightmare tales bring it back to me! The one thing I insisted on and Daughter No.1 never let me down were good manners. i used to ride lead rein ponies 30 odd years ago and was told 'how can the pony's manners be judged if there's a bad mannered brat on board?' - Daughter always smiled and said thank-you and congratulated those who did better. If she won she was always humble (it was rare!) - but the parents! Dear God! Not looking forward to that again!