What is your opinion about adults riding ponies in eventing? What is the max height/weight for a rider on a large pony?
I’m an adult that rides a pony.
I’m unsure what you are truly asking by saying “what is your opinion about adults riding ponies in eventing?”
My opinion is, I’m having a wonderful time. And just like every big horse I’ve ridden, when Pony tells me he doesn’t want to play anymore I will find him another job. Until then, we will happily go BN/N and school more technical things.
I’m 5’6", 125 lbs and my pony is MAYBE 14 hands (it’s debatable). When I was younger (5’6" 115 lbs) I regularly eventing ponies ranging from 12.2-13.2
There are so many variables in this question, it’s really hard to answer. I know there are several other adult pony riders on here. Hopefully they can give better insight.
My Fjords event. They range in size from 13.3 to 14.2 which is breed standard. In most cases they are shown by adults. I guess I don’t understand the issue. Ponies can be evented by adults. Nobody checks rider size.
I used to event a pony and wish my current horse was pony sized as I really do love ponies. As for weight and height, the general rule is an equine can carry 20% of its weight.
Pony height is one thing. Pony BUILD may be more important. 14.0 can be a delicate little 700ish pound thing, or it can be a 1200 pound QH-draft cross widebody, or an adult fjord or a trim adult anglo-arab or or or or…
Bone structure and muscling count for as much as height, certainly. ‘Adult’ and ‘pony’ are too vague to evaluate. What level the pair are doing certainly comes into play as well, BN is not Prelim is not ****. At which point many COTHers say, Teddy O’Connor never seemed to mind carrying Karen around the XC!
I was shopping for a large pony on purpose last year but ended up with 14.3!
I love riding ponies. I am short and lightweight and have come to the conclusion that I don’t want big horses anymore (although most would not consider my last event horse “big” at 15.3). This XL pony will also be my son’s move-up from his small pony.
I recently purchased a 2014 filly by Belafonte d’Avalon, a 14.3h German Riding Pony stallion who was the 2013 Area V Champion under his adult rider and went Prelim this year. My opinion is that they are fabulous :winkgrin:
To clarify, my pony is a welsh/german riding pony cross. He’s a GRP build (pretty stout).
I’m 5’2" (on a good day) and about 115 pounds. I evented my son’s 13.2 pony at BN level. She was a rock star and I certainly didn’t slow her down. I’ve also foxhunted her–she is a blast and I would happily still do it if she wasn’t so old.
Not eventing, but I foxhunted my 14.1 lg pony first flight, barefoot…regularly jumping 3’ to 3’6" over a 4-6 hour day. I’m 5’8", 130lbs. And I was never left wishing for more “horse”.
I’m a lot heavier than I need to be right now and don’t plan on staying this heavy (especially with a wedding in a bit over a year!), but he doesn’t struggle with me. I wish his back was a bit shorter, but again, that only pushes me to loose more weight.
I don’t like big horses, I never have. I evented a Conn/QH @ 14.1 hands for about 2 years. I am now on an OTTB that is 15.3hh IF he stands on his tippy toes. Just ride what makes you happy!
Your pony is plenty built well enough to carry you at your current size without harming himself. Cute pair!
[QUOTE=EiRide;7740507]
Your pony is plenty built well enough to carry you at your current size without harming himself. Cute pair![/QUOTE]
Were you responding to me or the OP?
I am hoping to lease a large pony to do BN next year. I had a baby this year and I still have some weight to lose. She is quite fine boned and 14.2. I am 5’5" and currently 150 lbs. I am concerned I am too big for her.
Meredith Clark you look great on your pony!!
[QUOTE=Rambler;7740824]
Meredith Clark you look great on your pony!![/QUOTE]
Thank you!
This is me a few years ago on my retired horse. Retired because he broke my back which started the entire weight gain cycle (now once I healed it was totally my fault that I didn’t loose it, but it’s hard!).
I just never want someone to be like “omg… that poooooor pony! she’s breaking his back”
I think adult riders on ponies are great! I just sold my 14 hand quarter pony cross and she was a stout little thing. I’m 5’8" and amazingly enough - I didn’t look huge on her. She jumped everything in her path and had a blast doing it. She would cruise around novice level too. I say have at it!
I’m on one! 13.3hh ClydesdaleX pony, I’m 5’6 and I couldn’t be having more fun! She’s a little short-legged so I’m not sure I’ll ever do more than BN on her but I would go higher over obstacles that fall down for sure! She’s an angel and I’ll never go back to big horses! Dressage is a piece of cake because you have so much time to get everything done! Stadium too! We can easily shave off time making tight spots! Go for it!
I am 6’2, 180 lbs and currently riding a 5 yr old 15.1 thoroughbred. He is about to move up to Training and seems to have no problem dealing with me. The biggest problem is that you as a rider must be very aware of your body and body position. By being a larger person on a smaller animal your movement affects the horse much more than when riding larger animals.
