The pony looks happy and relaxed.
The spur doesn’t seem to be bothering him any.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by Uberraschung:
If you have any sort of comprehensive reading ability, you would have noticed that the site you linked is the child’s personal webpage with a link to her email… </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Kill the drama. It’s really not necessary.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>just what she needs, a bunch of COTH nutcases emailing her to tell her to take off her spurs and strengthen her core 
</div></BLOCKQUOTE> Anyone with a keyboard can type the child’s name into a search engine and instantly pops up her personal web page. Again, kill the drama.<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>
What’s to say one of her friends won’t see this and the kid won’t come here? Obviously she has internet access. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
And if she does, then she does. I can well recall endless coaching sessions of my parents and my trainer helping me to become a better rider. They gave me tips and pointers and exercises to practice. It made me a better rider.<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>
Talk about a lack of class on the part of many of you here. Just disgusting. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
In what regard? Linking to a photo on the worldwide web and then mentioning that this rider might benefit from strengthening the leg? I think all of us can benefit from strengthening or improving an aspect of our riding. It really isn’t a novel idea.
I read your posts, I simply asked you a question since you said that you had every right to critique her, for a list of your qualifications and acomplishments. Your statements are neither shocking nor surprising, I just asked what gives you the “right” as you stated to C Boylen, to inform the public about what her parents and trainers should do. It is not drama, I’m just asking for your CV since you are so adamant about your position on the matter. If anyone had a problem with the cover of Dover, they should have contacted Dover. It’s a bit like telling a child his school picture isn’t any good in front of a room full of people. And as for a young child being made tough by critiquing, well her parents aren’t writing any of us a check each month now are they. So, at what level do you compete, and whom have you trained to what level, that gives you the right to criticize(sp) a CHILD, possibly to her face, since you don’t know she isn’t on here now. Would you confront her and her trainer and her parents as she came out of the gate after her class and in a loud voice tell them how wrong they were (or would you wait until after she pinned?) or would you just walk back to the barn and tell them that you thought they were doing it all wrong and if they would just listen to you, there daughter would be a super rider as a junior and an adult. Do you not understand that this is just as public a forum as the show grounds and that that sort of behavior would get you talked about at best or depending on who the parent was, knocked on your butt? So if you tell me that you have wonderful show ring success and sterling teaching credentials, and your students all clean up at the "A"s, I’ll “cut the drama”.
I take offense that a small child is wearing spurs. Children do not have the motor coordination nor the understanding to properly use spurs with discretion. Just because she is a child does not excuse the incorrect use of or too-high placement of, her spurs. In fact, it exemplifies why children should NOT use spurs.
This kid is a classic example. She is jumping ahead, she is looking down, and she’s jabbing her pony in the side. She should not be wearing spurs. If you look at the hair on the pony’s side, it would seem that he’s had more than one “accidental” jab. She has not “earned” her spurs.
Really, if the pony is a brat, either a more suitable mount should be used or she should stick to using her crop. Personally, if I were a pony and was jabbed in the side by some kid, I’d be a brat too.
The adults here go on about how if their horse is lazy, yadda yadda, they give the horse a jab. Fine, but as an adult, with years of experience, you know when and how to apply a spur. Kids don’t. Big difference.
I just could not help but reply to this topic. Sriosuly…i thought CR was bad. The girl is not “jabbing” the pony with the spur at all. take a closer look. If the girl was “jabbing” the pony with the spur, it would be embedded in its belly. The spur is not at all embedded into it. Yes the girls foot is turned out, but my god, she s a little girl and a very accomplished and respected rider at that. I have been riding pony hunters for 11 years now (since i was 6) and i have seen FAR worse than that. Sorry, but i think the photo is just fine for the cover of Dover. Shes not laying on the ponies neck, her leg isnt back by its tail, the pony is VERY happy and alert, and shes a concentrated and determined young lady. I think the photo portrays, very well, what a pony hunter combination should look like. If your all going to sit a coplain over this young ladies “jabbing of the spur” then why dont you post some ictures of yourselves. And i also read some comment within this topic about little pony riders liek this one, should not be wearing spurs. Another person said that because she is wearing spurs…means the ponyhunter is not push button. I think your just assuming things. No matter how good of a pony i have ridden in my past, no matter how well behaved, fancy, bad…or inexperienced…i have always…and i repeat…always worn spurs. I wear spurs with any horse that i ride. I have talked to judges and they think that a pair of spurs complete a riders leg. I believe all riders shoudl wear spurs, regardless of how much of a “packer” your horse or pony may be. I feel very ashamed and upset that you people, considering your ages and experience, would pick apart poor Lillie’s riding. She never did anything wrong, the pony is happy. Believe me, we have all seen much worse. So why dont you all just back off. I believe jelousy plays a major part here. This girl, rides very nice ponies. She has done such a good job in her career and by god…the photo is adorable…that she made it on the cover of Dover and you didnt. Why dont you GROW UP! Sheis more accomplished than many of you have been and will ever be. Seriosuly im not kidding. You have no heart. The girl trains with highly successful trainers and riders and it has obviosuly shown throughout her career. I think you all just need to grow up and get over it.
Caylei
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by Duende:
I think it’s inappropriate for anyone to be commenting on a public forum about this little girl. She didn’t ask for the ctitique nor did her parents, trainers, friends etc. I’m sure she would be really upset (I know my daughter would be) if total strangers were making such harsh comments about her riding style in that picture. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I find it difficult to believe that Dover or the photographer could put this picture on the front of a national catalog that is sent to God-knows-who without some sort of permission for the child’s parents. Perhaps I’m just unfamiliar with the way this works?
Either way, the child shouldn’t be insecure enough to be upset. She would probably either a) Laugh her head off and think no more of it, after all, it’s a bunch of total strangers right, who cares what they think? or b) take it into consideration.
I haven’t seen the “offensive” pic yet, I will have to check my mail…
But seriously, have you all never been to a horse show lately? Most little kids are not riding in PERFECT, George Morris style eq on their pony/SS hunters by any means. It seems like the first step now is getting them out in the ring, getting some mileage, and then perfecting it later. I don’t think its a bad thing! Better to get them used to showing at a young age and get over their show jitters than have to deal with a completely unrationalized nervous junior or amateur later in their life. And there is something to be said for a little kid having the guts to go out there and get it done. Not all kids who ride want to grow up to be Beezie, some of them just want to bomb around and maybe get some ribbons if there lucky.
Perhaps Dover thought we would see the pic and go “AWW! what a cutie” like most normal human beings would…?
If you don’t know the whole situation, it’s probably not best to assume things.
The girl on the cover is a lovely rider, and her pony is a typical pony-- can be good, but is often quite bratty. The spurs, for this pony, are necessary. And cut the child a little slack, please, she’s still young!
I think it should also be pointed out that “no” there doesn’t seem to be anything painful or upset about this pony’s expression. However, if this child is allowed to continue with this incorrect leg position (gripping with the spur), riding another more sensitive horse or pony could be detrimental.
A friend rode my horse one time and I told him that he REALLY needs to take off those big ole spurs. He assured me that his leg is fabulous, so no worries. Allrighty then…guy mounts up, rides a few minutes, asks for canter and horse jumped straight in the air bucking and bolting. Well, I guess those fabulous legs of his couldn’t quite control those spurs, now could they??
And P.S. This is more than a “little equitation faux pas” when gripping with the spurs for balance is involved.
Dont know if this has been said, since I wont waste my time going through pages of snarky adults who look like crap (OP) ripping apart a gorgeous pony rider, BUT…if I remember correctly (and I aLWAYS do) didnt most of these same people rip apart the last Dover cover of Popye K (and my soon-to-be husband)also???
I think the photo of the OP is hysterical. BTW, her boots fit like crap. GM would have a field day with you.
I do not know Lillie, I suspect I will never be at a show she attends, I doubt I have the horse to achieve that level,or the determination. I do know that her picture is lovely and her pony is gorgeous. I am also desperately grateful that I don’t have to show against her. She looks like a truly gifted horsewoman and even at her young age, it is easy to see why she wins, her talent is obvious, and her determination shows in every inch. She is not posed or frozen like so many riders of every age you see today, she is balanced and effective. I hope she does not see this post, but the sad part is if she is in the upper levels of the show world and having success, she has already encountered people who have said negative things in order to make themselves feel better. Let’s all let her get a bit older before she has to be jaded by reality like the rest of us.
it’s not like she’s riding in rowls (sp?) or anything…jesus, my thin-skinned horse can barely feel my spurs, let alone a fat-sided pony. I thought the photo was adorable…and we also don’t know what happened the moment prior…maybe the kid made a really determiend effort to get the pony off the ground.
Y’all need to grow up and I think the photo of the OP is just hilarious…you go JustJump!
All of you “grown-ups” who are sitting around on the internet whining about an 8yo child who is doing a lovely job on a very talented pony (see my signature for my feelings on ponies…I have alot of respect for this tiny tot and her fellow pony jockies)…be gone, before someone drops a house on you.
