My guy is 14.2 and has lovely smooth gaits and no ponitude. He’s a Canadian Sport Horse cross.
[QUOTE=Hobbs;2036428]
My guy is 14.2 and has lovely smooth gaits and no ponitude. He’s a Canadian Sport Horse cross.
http://www.equinedesign.ca/horse.htm[/QUOTE]
Cute!!
I think we need a ‘Small But Mighty Clique’ for our ponies/honies :lol:
Yes, you’re right. It was Seldom Seen. She took him into NYC to do a demonstration in the hood for children. She said she talked to them about how no one thought he could do the higher levels in dressage because of his size and how he proved them all wrong. Sort of used him as an example for the kids. She said that he was great in the city, quiet and attentive to her even with the traffic, sirens, etc. She said that several dressage riders were asked to go, but no one would take a chance on their horse in that environment.
I’m not sure how I would share the pictures since they’re film/print. I guess I could have them scanned. I used to work as a show photographer. That was the one year I did Dressage at Saratoga with Susan Sexton. Talk about being in heaven. I got to work with Susan Sexton, the best, as far as I’m concerned. I lost the show the next year to Mary Phelps because she also provided video. It was challenging to shoot the ponies because my timing seemed to be set for the bigger horses. What was the guy from Maine, now in Florida, Mike, what’s his last name? Anyway his daughter, who is now a prominent trainer in her own right was riding this absolutely adorable pony. Then I remember another wonderful dressage pony from the Port Jervis show, a pinto with an adorable little girl in braids. I think they were showing 2nd level or something like that. It really sucks to get old and lose your memory.
Pam
I’m only 5’4" and petitely built, and when I was eventing I think I felt that I had to have a big horse just to prove I could handle it. I went from a 16.2 1/2 hand warmblood-looking Argentine bred gelding to a 17hand rather big bodied TB gelding. And I’ll tell you, I had to be fitfitfit to ride these horses. I always secretly admired those who competed and did well on the little guys (15.0 to 15.2 hands). Now that I’m no longer eventing and have come to my senses, I can’t even imagine having anything over 15.2. My favorite mare Sarah (who is the love of my life) looked to be about 15 hands when I brought her home, but actually sticks just under 14.2…gotta love those well-sprung ribs! Not to mention that I fit her perfectly, and don’t look anything close to being a peanut on an elephant (a comment I got frequently when eventing my boys). I’m hoping to breed her in a couple of years to an IDSH (Irish Draught x TB) for a neat, athletic cob that could have some eventing and foxhunting potential.
Here’s Sarah:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/BlueEyedPony/Sarah/Sarahsummer1.jpg
I’m 5’6" and petite and I own a 14.3 hh Morgan mare and used to ride a 17.2hh warmblood. The Morgan is a much more practical horse, cheaper to feed, easier to maneuver, I don’t get my head banged off tree limbs when out on the trail etc…But the big guys movement is oh so much nicer to ride.
One thing I don’t get is why people say they aren’t strong enough to ride the big guys. The big horses should be just as responsive as the smaller horses. So if your constantly feeling like your exhausted at the end of a ride maybe you need to go back to the basic’s with that horse and get them responsive again.
Adults riding Ponies and Honies
Greetings All! LOVE this topic!!! I wished that the suitablity " issues " were applied across the board with all breeds. IF the powers that be continue to discriminate against adults riding ponies… In example, how is a 17 hand horse " suitable to a 5 foot adult rider? I’ve seen enough " push me, pull me " to last a lifetime with small and large dressage riders mounted on these behemoths… Also, WHY doesn’t AHSA ( I know they have a name change ) just allow adults to ride and compete on ponies? Even better, design and develop classes JUST FOR PONIES -RIDDEN AND COMPETED BY ADULTS??? Especially for those breeders with Pony stallions that have no where to prove a stallion unless they geld him and have a minor ride them… or to prove their pony sized offspring??? I could go on and on about the unfairness… Such as " why " expect a pony to have the scope or the stride of the much larger Equines? PHYISICS should dictate that this is exceedingly unreasonable. Asking a pony to jump over the actual height of their respective hands!!! If that is the standard then let’s demand that the 16+ horses do the same!!! IF I ever win the Lottery, I will create a Pony registry just for ponies and their competitors. All breeds even grade will be welcomed and all disciplines too! Anybody care to add anything?
[QUOTE=sportponies4U;2036772]
Also, WHY doesn’t AHSA ( I know they have a name change ) just allow adults to ride and compete on ponies? Even better, design and develop classes JUST FOR PONIES -RIDDEN AND COMPETED BY ADULTS??? Especially for those breeders with Pony stallions that have no where to prove a stallion unless they geld him and have a minor ride them… or to prove their pony sized offspring??? I could go on and on about the unfairness… Such as " why " expect a pony to have the scope or the stride of the much larger Equines? PHYISICS should dictate that this is exceedingly unreasonable. Asking a pony to jump over the actual height of their respective hands!!! If that is the standard then let’s demand that the 16+ horses do the same!!! IF I ever win the Lottery, I will create a Pony registry just for ponies and their competitors. All breeds even grade will be welcomed and all disciplines too! Anybody care to add anything?[/QUOTE]
You go!!! Thats a great question? Do you think they will ever do it? Do you think it could be petitioned for?
[QUOTE=undersaddle;2036861]
You go!!! Thats a great question? Do you think they will ever do it? Do you think it could be petitioned for?[/QUOTE]
I’d definately sign it and know several people who would too!! :yes:
It boggles me because there is no such discrimination in Ireland where we’re from the only thing for pony stallions is that they must be ridden by someone 16+ years of age in open competition. 18+ in some others. Which is fair and makes sense.
[QUOTE=sportponies4U;2036772]
Greetings All! LOVE this topic!!! I wished that the suitablity " issues " were applied across the board with all breeds. IF the powers that be continue to discriminate against adults riding ponies… In example, how is a 17 hand horse " suitable to a 5 foot adult rider? I’ve seen enough " push me, pull me " to last a lifetime with small and large dressage riders mounted on these behemoths… Also, WHY doesn’t AHSA ( I know they have a name change ) just allow adults to ride and compete on ponies? Even better, design and develop classes JUST FOR PONIES -RIDDEN AND COMPETED BY ADULTS??? Especially for those breeders with Pony stallions that have no where to prove a stallion unless they geld him and have a minor ride them… or to prove their pony sized offspring??? I could go on and on about the unfairness… Such as " why " expect a pony to have the scope or the stride of the much larger Equines? PHYISICS should dictate that this is exceedingly unreasonable. Asking a pony to jump over the actual height of their respective hands!!! If that is the standard then let’s demand that the 16+ horses do the same!!! IF I ever win the Lottery, I will create a Pony registry just for ponies and their competitors. All breeds even grade will be welcomed and all disciplines too! Anybody care to add anything?[/QUOTE]
I agree with you wholeheartedly. My little 14.3hh horse is more athletic then 90% of larger horses I’ve ridden but since she is small and can’t take a line of jumps in the set number of strides required by the powers that be she isn’t competitive in the show ring. And how does taking a line in x # of strides make a horse quality or not anyways?
I think the whole “suitability” rules should be thrown right out the window. That or “suitability” should mean wether or not the horses level of training is suitable for the riders level of training. There are plenty of ponies I don’t want a kid going anywhere near and there are plenty of larger horses that would be great for a kid because of their temperment. Just like there are tons of ponies/small horses that are suitable training wise for an adult. It’s because of stupid judgemental rules like this one that is the reason for why I no longer show.
[QUOTE=Sassenach;2036448]
Cute!!
I think we need a ‘Small But Mighty Clique’ for our ponies/honies :lol:[/QUOTE]
Can I join?
Oooh, my first clique:winkgrin:
Sarah
[QUOTE=no_discipline;2037143]
Can I join?
Oooh, my first clique:winkgrin:
Sarah[/QUOTE]
Mine too! goes to change siggy 
I’m just under 5 feet tall, and I ride a 13 hand pony. He is the perfect size for me.
We breed Section B Welsh Ponies, with an eye to stock that matures 13 to 13.2 hands. At that size they are very suitable for both children AND adults. Most of our babies to go to adults. We find that a lot of middle aged and up women are wanting to downsize their mount. They enjoy something that is smaller, more manageable and closer to the ground for both getting on and off!
Welsh are a hardy native breed. They seldom need shoes, they are easy keepers, ours are not prone to founder, seldom sick, smart and funny. I am completely sold on the breed.
I’m attaching a photo of myself riding my yellow pony, and of my husband, who is 6’6" riding the same pony. While he is very tall, he is built just like a stick, and this pony will gladly and happily carry him all day – and smile about it the whole time!
In the Welsh breed shows, adults are allowed to show any size pony in any of the divisions. There are tons of adults who ride ponies and have a great time doing it. There are even small Section A’s being ridden by adults, and they have no problem carrying them. Though the “rule of thumb” is that if your butt is bigger than your pony’s, you need to get a bigger pony! :lol:
I love your yellow pony!
[QUOTE=Sakura;2037280]
I love your yellow pony! :D[/QUOTE]
Ditto - too bad Connemaras are my first and forever love :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=no_discipline;2037143]
Can I join?
Oooh, my first clique:winkgrin:
Sarah[/QUOTE]
I too would love to join!
How do you do such a thing?
I couldn’t have said it better myself. :-)) We love riding our Welsh!
Yella Fella’s and adults riding ponies…
Greetings All! The Welsh and the Connemara’s do things right! Allowing adult riders in competition. However, if you have any other breed of pony and wish to compete it is near impossible… especailly cross-breds… I love and admire both the Welsh and Connemara, even have a few section B’s of dilute colors. Considered purchasing Connemara’s, but Welsh shows are more widely available in Florida. I am specializing in registered half-Arabian Sportponies using Arabian,Welsh, Morab, Morgan and AQHA mares. The problem is that my senior pony stallion that I wish to campaign is a cross bred thus making him essentially a grade pony. So showing in the Welsh shows is not an option for me. Though he IS a registerable as Half-Welsh through his dam, I have not been able to get the mare owners permission or co-operation since she is elderly and failing health. That is another tradegy, another long sad story… The point being that for those of us adults who own ponies or even Honies ( I have few of those too! ) it is still impossible to show them to their best advantage when we have to compete against the more " popular " WB breeds. In competition, EVEN IF a pony displays and performs better quality ( movement, conformation or performance ) than the larger horses, the judges show no respect of adults choosing to ride the smaller equines. What I’d like to see offered at ALL shows is classes specifically for ponies ONLY WITH ADULTS to ride! Dressage, Hunter, U/S classes and In-Hand/Model. Think about it wouldn’t it be a blast to finally be able to compete on a fair basis of ponies against ponies??? For those who prefer Eventing -different courses/levels could be designed for ponies. Just a few thoughts…
TO: hobbs - LOVE your Canadian cross!!! Tremendous bone. He screams quality.
TO: Gretchen - familiar with your yella fella, he’s lovely.
Pony riders
Greetings all! WOW! Just finished reading all the posts. Just want to thank everyone for all the good ideas, sharing pics and general comments. Sounds like a great diverse bunch of pony lovers. Love seeing all the different types of ponies so thanks for sharing pics. Yvonne Denise
I had no idea that adults could not show ponies in certain disciplines. The NHSC, which pretty much every Walking Horse show in this area is affiliated with, recently–as in the last few years–added an “Adults on Walking Ponies” division to the rulebook. There has always been a 15.2 and Under division. Even so, the 15.2 and Under horses still do well in Open competition. Main Power, the 2005 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse, started his career in the aged divisions as a 15.2 and Under horse. Odd that there is such a stigma against ponies/smaller horses in other disciplines. For all our problems, that’s not one of them.
That being said, I could never ride a pony. It would not appreciate my 5’9", size 18 self! :lol:
@HelviHoku This thread is 13+ years old. You might fare better if you start a new thread. And those Pinterest pins aren’t linked to anything. That is, if this isn’t just an elaborate ad from a Spammer to use Pinterest.
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