[QUOTE=RockinHorse;7563941]
I think the large bows do not make the kids look like serious competitors. They look like they are playing dress up.[/QUOTE]
Oh god, how dare kids not look serious! You wouldn’t want it to look they’re having fun! :rolleyes: Who cares if little kids on ponies at any level are wearing adorable bows?
[QUOTE=Big_Grey_hunter;7564156]
Oh god, how dare kids not look serious! You wouldn’t want it to look they’re having fun! :rolleyes: Who cares if little kids on ponies at any level are wearing adorable bows?[/QUOTE]
Exactly, they are KIDS… on PONIES… should be fun 
now like i said, my daughter is 11 and doing the regular mediums and I don’t think it’s appropriate anymore. But for short stirrup and children’s level kids, and perish the thought leadliners?? absolutely, as long as it doesn’t spook the ponies or cover the number who cares?
For the OP-
I know a mom who just went and paid a local florist to make her a few custom bows for her kid. They have all the ribbon and experience making fancy bows. They were cute but a reasonable size and I think it was all done for under $10. Just a thought.
Love em’. Within reason.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/ellies-bows-dover-classic-bows/p/X1-36020/?ids=l1vj1obxcrybvyq5qwtwhaav
or
https://www.smartpakequine.com/girls-show-bows-9891p
are mass produced versions that should be acceptable.
[QUOTE=gottagrey;7563779]
All things being equal, then turnout can be a tiebreaker but if a horse has a stellar performance, nails the jumps/distances etc and a horse w/ a less than stellar performance but looks like a million bucks you give the ribbon to the performer, not the fashionplate - IMO[/QUOTE]
I understand your point, and think that where we part company is that imho, turnout is included in the assessment of the horse/rider at the outset, rather than saved for later as a tiebreaker.
Am I close ?
As the pony mom to a boy, this is not an issue for me. However, when (hopefully) his younger sister shows, I confess, she will be bedecked in bows. I promise I will try to control myself but since bridle numbers are the norm here…I might not be successful. Look at it this way, the window of time when a parent can get away with this is really very narrow. The period of time between the tantruming toddler and the “know it all” pre-teen is fleetingly short. We get up at the crack of dawn every single day, write multiple cheques, spend every free moment scrubbing ponies that have just rolled in manure, driven countless miles to shows and lessons…please, just humour us on this one little thing. :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=Mozart;7565117]
As the pony mom to a boy, this is not an issue for me. However, when (hopefully) his younger sister shows, I confess, she will be bedecked in bows. I promise I will try to control myself but since bridle numbers are the norm here…I might not be successful. Look at it this way, the window of time when a parent can get away with this is really very narrow. The period of time between the tantruming toddler and the “know it all” pre-teen is fleetingly short. We get up at the crack of dawn every single day, write multiple cheques, spend every free moment scrubbing ponies that have just rolled in manure, driven countless miles to shows and lessons…please, just humour us on this one little thing. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
haha love it
[QUOTE=Mozart;7565117]
As the pony mom to a boy, this is not an issue for me. However, when (hopefully) his younger sister shows, I confess, she will be bedecked in bows. I promise I will try to control myself but since bridle numbers are the norm here…I might not be successful. Look at it this way, the window of time when a parent can get away with this is really very narrow. The period of time between the tantruming toddler and the “know it all” pre-teen is fleetingly short. We get up at the crack of dawn every single day, write multiple cheques, spend every free moment scrubbing ponies that have just rolled in manure, driven countless miles to shows and lessons…please, just humour us on this one little thing. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Have as much fun as you want with the bows. It’s your choice. 
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to think ginormous bows are anything other than “too much.” Just like when I wear my moss green hunt coat. There are going to be some people that hate it and that’s just fine. I couldn’t care less about their opinion. I’m going to wear what I want just like you should put your child in what you want. :yes:
My preference is for grosgrain ribbons tied in a bow rather than the stiff pre-made ones that are available these days. But that’s just my preference and yours might be different.
[QUOTE=RugBug;7565147]
Have as much fun as you want with the bows. It’s your choice.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to think ginormous bows are anything other than “too much.” Just like when I wear my moss green hunt coat. There are going to be some people that hate it and that’s just fine. I couldn’t care less about their opinion. I’m going to wear what I want just like you should put your child in what you want. :yes:
My preference is for grosgrain ribbons tied in a bow rather than the stiff pre-made ones that are available these days. But that’s just my preference and yours might be different.[/QUOTE]
You said exactly what I wanted to say! Thanks for saving me the time!
[QUOTE=Mardi;7564505]
I understand your point, and think that where we part company is that imho, turnout is included in the assessment of the horse/rider at the outset, rather than saved for later as a tiebreaker.
Am I close ?[/QUOTE]
I agree to a point - I think definitely when a rider enters the ring beautifully turned out they give the appearance they’re there to do business and to do it well - it’s when it’s not done so well then I wouldn’t give them too much credit for turnout until after the performance, or when it’s a situation where it’s the BOTW… then you definitely have to weigh turnout. In the case of a child’s bow (size) I wouldn’t hold it against any child if their bow was too big(even though I’m not fond of them), too small or didn’t exist.
I think the net net to the OP is that by and large no judges aren’t going to refuse to pin you or pin you lower because you have big bows. Now if they can’t see the number or they are so distracting that the judge can’t deal with them… then you may feel the aftereffects. Apparently my dd wore “gigantic bows” according to some posters there. I did not think they were, but ok let’s assume they are… I can guarantee you we have never been down in the ribbons because of them. The first pic I posted we were champion in short stirrup with a clean sweep, the second we had high ribbons at a state championship show in classes of 25+ ponies.
So moral of the story, wear with pride if it’s what YOU and YOUR KID like (and your trainer lol always check with your trainer!)!
Question for the pony moms…do you put bows (the size of show bows) on your kids when they’re not riding?
I always preferred the look of a simple ribbon tied at the end of the braids. IMHO -The “over the top” ones, to me, are way too distracting EVEN and a bit tacky.
[QUOTE=snaffle635;7565408]
Question for the pony moms…do you put bows (the size of show bows) on your kids when they’re not riding?[/QUOTE]
No. My son really resents it when I try to do that.
[QUOTE=Mozart;7565501]
No. My son really resents it when I try to do that.[/QUOTE]
Good one! :lol:
[QUOTE=Mozart;7565501]
No. My son really resents it when I try to do that.[/QUOTE]
LOL!
[QUOTE=Mozart;7565117]
As the pony mom to a boy, this is not an issue for me. However, when (hopefully) his younger sister shows, I confess, she will be bedecked in bows. I promise I will try to control myself but since bridle numbers are the norm here…I might not be successful. Look at it this way, the window of time when a parent can get away with this is really very narrow. The period of time between the tantruming toddler and the “know it all” pre-teen is fleetingly short. We get up at the crack of dawn every single day, write multiple cheques, spend every free moment scrubbing ponies that have just rolled in manure, driven countless miles to shows and lessons…please, just humour us on this one little thing. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
See? They really are for moms/and kids, not judges. No need to be mean about it, these are little kids, and parents of little kids, after all.
And the idea is to “have fun, and enjoy it,” right? Especially for the entry level folks. We want to keep them! That’s important!
I recently watched several classes at a large h/j show. Saw the pony division, children’s hunters, and the over 18 crowd.
By far, the happiest exhibitors, and most thrilled with their prize ribbons:
50 & over division
Pony kids had fun too, but were happy for themselves, rather than give any credit to the pony. There were no exclamations of “Gee I love my pony, she’s the best !”
The teenagers (i.e. children’s hunters) were generally disappointed with any ribbon past 4th place. Nearly all of them received immediate negative feedback from their trainer after their round. Each dismounted after leaving the ring, handed the horse to a groom, and walked away. Some walked off with friends, others stayed near the rail to watch. Their horse was the furthest thing from their minds.
It seems that the 50 & overs are having the most fun !
[QUOTE=snaffle635;7565408]
Question for the pony moms…do you put bows (the size of show bows) on your kids when they’re not riding?[/QUOTE]
No, my daughter has no interest in wearing bows in her hair except when she’s on a pony, and then it’s a super cool treat that she looks forward to (despite the fact that she could wear bows in her hair every day if she wanted to). Do I perhaps “over bow” in an act of overcompensation for her aversion to bows in “real life”? Maybe. Do I care? Nope! All that matters to me is that I think she looks adorable and I get lots and lots of photos of her + her pony + her braids (which she will only let me do for horseshows) + her bows. I don’t want her to look professional or grown up or be mistaken for anything but a kid who’s having fun on her pony (because she’s certainly not interested in seriously riding at this point)!
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