Did anyone else see a clip from this year’s Devon leadline class where the leader dropped the leadline, was desperately steadying a howling baby, and refused all offers of help? The baby (and the child was very very young) was wearing a huge cowboy hat and riding in an old-fashioned basket saddle. I don’t think it was in a horse publication. The clip appeared on my phone in a random news stream. Comments named a famous West Coast trainer. It looked like a very dangerous situation, and I was interested in what happened next.
https://www.tiktok.com/@dressagehub_official/video/7510962878002875691
The first half is a woman listening to herself talk unnecessarily … but anyway, she does point out the child’s head & neck wobbling with no control.
The part with the child starts just after the 40 second mark. It appears that an official is pointing them out of the ring, but not sure about that?
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Also just for perspective and fun, from 2019 … this is what is supposed to look like. 
Selective editing out of meltdowns, I’m sure, but the idea is there. 
(Noticing that the lighted board says “three and under”, but doesn’t say how far under. Maybe when things are left up to common sense there are people out there who don’t have any?)
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I’m slightly surprised, in a land of litigation and rules, that children so young are permitted to show. Many seemed too young to be able to fully support their own bodies let alone ride on a pony, even on a lead rein.
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This is DressageHub, she loves drama.
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There is far less litigation and safety culture in the US than the UK in general. I know the media does not portray it that way but I’ve lived, worked dangerous jobs and had horses in both countries. There is no comparison in the level of regulation etc. it’s far higher in the UK.
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@Amberley That was my point really. In my British eyes, the small, immature persons are dangerously young to be in a risky environment. The minimum age in the British Show Ponies Association is 5 years in the Lead Rein. Most riding schools won’t have children younger than five as clients. The USA has “freedom to do” and Europe has “freedom from”.
Maybe I’m the only one but I find the Devon leadline frenzy obnoxious and not cute in the slightest. It’s like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous take their turn at playing Honey BooBoo for a day
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Is the video discussed in this thread what you are talking about?
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I always love your takes!!
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