I do the Pre-Adults here in the Mid-Atlantic, and yes, it’s super competitive! Although I prefer the name Low Adults (Regional MHSA division) because our group at the barn calls ourselves the “sLow Adults!”:lol:
1 Like
Ditto what everyone else said about Pre-Adults having grown and become tougher in recent years. What I’ve noticed is you tend to see two types of competitors in the class – you see riders who aren’t yet ready for 3’, but who are well-mounted (often on nice horses stepping down from other jobs), and you see better riders on their fancy greener horses (which means they may win it if the horse holds it together, or they may be a mess if the horse doesn’t, lol!). If you sat and watched the full class of pre-adults go at a particular show, I think you would see a lot of inconsistency in the quality of the trips, but that the ones pinning well are putting in really good rounds.
1 Like
Here in Ontario we have two designations: Beginner Adult/Children’s and Low Adult/Children’s.
Beginners are 2’6" and riders are limited to three lifetime wins over fences at a recognized show (if you win three in your first season you can finish the year but must move up the following year).
Lows are 2’9" and have no “lifetime achievement” restrictions, but riders showing in this division cannot jump higher than 2’9" on ANY horse at the same show. Rather sucks for me, as I’d love to show my A/A horse and my greenbean at the same show, but if I stepped the mare down to 2’9" there would be a lynch mob in the ingate waiting for me!
1 Like
Pre- divisions are also good, IMO, for riders (like myself) who don’t have a horse. It tends to be the catchall for kids and adults alike who can ride around a course but don’t have the horseflesh for the C division, whether that is due to horse limitation (saintly school horses tend to show up here more than anywhere else) or rider limitation, or both. As someone who doesn’t own or lease, it is MUCH easier to find a ride for the weekend on a 2’6 one than a 3’+ one, I think.
