This! So I have become a bit of a chicken as I age. I can’t afford made and I need safe. I feel much better on a green 14.2 hand connemara than a green 16.3 hand warmblood!
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I have a friend who has taken two welsh ponies to PSG/I-1 and done very well. She is a lovely rider, accurate and steady in her tests. Even when mistakes - ie tempi-changes for example, she has scored well into the 60’s. She is probably 5/6". My current Lusi is 15.3 hands but solid in the body and my trainer, who is around 5’8" looks absolutely fine when he rides my boy. I’m 5’3" and “senior”; I’m done with anything over 16 hands! Iberian fan here, so doubt I would ever buy anything else again, but I never say never.
OH - and then there’s a young pro at my barn showing a young GRP, BEAUTIFUL buckskin and lovely mover. He might be 15 hands, she is 5’6" or so and doing fabulously well. I actually think the judges enjoy some variation and will reward a decent ride on a properly trained horse(pony) when they see one.
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Careful… connemaras are addictive 
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5 words - Lendon Gray and Seldom Seen. He was a 14:2 hand Connemara/TB cross, and they made it to the top. Back in the day, they were right up the road from me and my 14:2 Connemara cross. I was 5’6” and Lendon was taller than me (I’ve shrunk, can’t speak for Lendon). Go for it. You won’t be sorry.
One note: get the best shoulder you can. The straighter shoulder that many ponies have can make it feel like there’s nothing in front of you.
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Totally agreed! I’m 5’1" and hate getting on anything over 17hh. It’s not even about feeling unsafe, but the fact that my legs don’t go past the saddle is awful! They never take me seriously :lol: I think the idea that ponies are only for kids is ridiculous. I absolutely adore the silly little ones.
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Well it’s a her and she’ll never be for sale:) The brother was more athletic and effortless, the trouble was for me too athletic. He’s happy in his new home with an eventer who can really ride him.
LetItBe
Timely thread for me as I’m about to ride a Connemara for a short bit but I was concerned that I’m too big. My friend then asked me, “How big do you think you actually are?” :lol: I’m 5’4 so no giant I suppose!
I certainly know that Connemaras can be cheeky! I Iook forward to it!
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We recently purchased a GRP for my mother who is 65+. My main concern is if she were to fall off for some unexpected reason, it wouldn’t be that far to the ground. We’re both petite at 5’2", and the “pony” is 15.1. He’s very much a pony package. When he was out with my compact 16.2 KWPN he looked like a pony. The lady before us that was training him was close to 6ft. He’s been a blast to ride and super smart. My trainer wants to ride him every chance she can because he is easy on the body to ride. He’s a different ride for sure compared to other giants we have. And yes I am one of those 5’2" people with an 18hh horse :lol:. It was the right way to go for my mother for sure. We’ll see what kind of reception he’ll get showing (fingers crossed for pony cup). Although he did try to jump over a ground pole yesterday. First time over one apparently. I stayed on - can’t say the same if it had been a bigger horse!
Update post Connemara ride: I’ve decided that I need one.
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Can be? Can be?!?!!
I adore my cheeky pony. He helps me maintain a sense of humor.
He is half-sies Connemara and all cheeky…
He came from the way north country - I forget which state. Does that sound right?
SF Spirit?
Bingo, we have a winner!
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Love all the photos!
What dressage girths do you use on your midgets? It is hard to get nice short girths where I live (wanting 50cm / 20")
Have a look at www.classicdressage.com in the UK as they have all kinds of dressage girths and the exchange rate is very advantageous at the moment.
horze and ideal go to tiny sizes 
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I’m 5’4" and ride a 14.1 Welsh/Andalusian cross who is extremely wide and very fun. We’re transitioning to eventing but when we did a year of exclusively dressage to perfect our flat work I never had issues with judges or anyone important being critical of our pairing. What I love about working with a pony is that they’re closer to the ground when you fall, easier to clip and groom (I can actually see their backs not just guess), and their equipment is general cheaper!
The few people who do get critical of our pairing are typically those who only consider the TBs or WBs and think all adults should be on one. (ie their way or the highway)
You’re going to love your pony. They’re hardy little things, so much fun and typically intelligent. A Connemara is on my breed wish list for down the line!
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I have had success with the following two sources. If you don’t mind a PVC girth: https://www.horsetackco.com/pvc-dressage-girth.html#.VOYd78Zj_-Y. My independent saddle fitter told me she was going to begin recommending these to her other clients, after seeing mine. This is my husband’s favorite girth. But, it’s been a few years since I’ve ordered one.
I love the Stubben cord girths on my small horses, and that is what I almost always use. I own several – they don’t slip, they last for years, they’re easy to care for: https://stubbennorthamerica.com/prod…ra-cord-girth/
I mayyyyyy be about to buy a 14.2 hh Connemara as a project pony, thanks to @fordtraktor. This thread helped too! 
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