“level playing fields” and all that are buzz words that, while very legitimate in some instances, do not apply to leisure sports.
Very much this.
Just about anyone ttraining and showing at that level is “rich” in comparison with the rest of the U.S. when a family can waste what many families net in a month on what amounts to a child’s hobby, they really can accurately be described as rich.
And also this.
Riding is an incredibly expensive sport. To get to the level where you’re being given rides by someone else is incredibly expensive - and it does take a fair amount of money up front. The rider needs to have an excellent eye and extensive experience before that point. That costs money. So do the boots, $600 helmets, breeches, and other things that generally don’t get given to a rider, either.
The average family income in the US is $51,017.
The poverty rate as of 2013 was roughly 15%.
One would have to be absolutely kidding themselves to pretend that even just the riding lessons necessary to get to a high level, much less the show experience, the costs are out of the question for MANY, if not MOST families, even if the child works to pay for lessons (which generally doesn’t happen until they’re reasonably competent).
In other words, basically the vast majority of children under the age of 18 who show at “A” shows are privileged in comparison to the rest of the country. This isn’t an indictment, it’s just kind of an is. There are very few kids whose families make the “average” out there competing at the top of the big eq.
There is absolutely no reason for a kid that does the 3’6" eq, jumpers, hunters, whatever to also be doing the medium ponies. I feel like ponies should be kept separate from the big kids, if they want a horse they should do children’s or 3’3" juniors, but when you see a kid doing the high children’s jumpers in the morning and small ponies in the afternoon, it gets a bit ridiculous.
I can see this from two regards - your point and the other. A lot of the time, you’re not seeing the high junior rider on the made pony, but rather, on a greener one or one that needs a record. I’m an adult rider and I own a large pony. For the first while, I’ll show her - we’ll play locally in 2’ classes. But when it comes time for her to get a real show record? I’m likely to offer a ride on her to a kid that’s known to ride and compete well, because when I go to lease or sell her I’ll want her to have a decent show record, and I’m obviously ineligible. Owners like me are less likely to “take a chance” on a kid just starting out just for fiscal reasons.
