| Author | Message | ||
     Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
Hi, I'm the organiser of some of the events where Janet competes, indoors and out. I want to encourage everyone to have a go, bearing in mind welfare and safety issues, of course. I have seen some most impressive dressage and whizzing about in cones and obstacles done by Shetlands and I support Janet wholeheartedly in her pioneering with minis, inside and out. I agree with her that all horses and ponies must be fit enough to do the job. I hate seeing a littlie (or a bigger one) puffing after three circuits of the arena: it's not fair on any animal, large or small. Some vehicles are not the most suitable, however, and I'd be interested in a discussion on two wheels versus four? I can see the problem with heavy people on the vehicle and too-soft surfaces - I "borrow" lightweight friends for dressage and cones with my 13-hand pony and I ask the people who run the venue to wet the lovely tan-rubber surface more than usual so it's nice and firm. I suggest, if you have no groom, you make friends with (thin!) local drivers - or reliable children - and borrow them as required. We have amended indoor rules so a groom can go round more than once and it's fun to get to know more people. You could offer to groom or help someone else in return, of course. Lastly, if you want the rules changed, participate. I have tried hard in the past to change things so that people would start taking part and they mostly still stood on the sidelines and made new excuses. I hope I will always listen, but I'll listen harder to those who try it and say this works/that doesn't as they have experience on their side. Go out there and make friends - find out about BDS and other driving clubs in your area. Go and meet them, even if you can't go with them, you'll find there are lots of nice people who'd love to help you! Best of luck! | ||
| Liz Howe Username: Lizh Registered: 10-2007 |
On the subject of trying to get the rules changed so that Miniature/Midi single Shetlands may compete without a groom indoors, just count the number of replies to Lesleys original post. Four people; myself, Lesley plus two guests would like the rules changed against two who don't - surely that is saying something? No-one would suggest Lesley heads off across country unaccompanied. The subject is whether people can compete on their own within the confines of an enclosed indoor school. There ARE members of IHDT who enter the competitions without a groom and compete HC. The IHDT office has already suggested Lesley may enter Hors Concours (see post below). I have already expressed how much I enjoyed the indoor driving trials without a groom carried on my carriage, the only difference would be at the end of the day whether the scores count against the other competitors. Whether someone is 'ok' to drive alone indoors does not seem to mean much. A bad, reckless or irresponsible driver will still be bad, reckless or irresponsible no matter how many grooms they carry and I'm quite sure no organiser would put up with such behaviour. Last season was my first IHDT, I would advise anyone wishing to take part to ensure they have had some good tuition before entering, their instructor will be able to advise them whether they are ready to start competing. Getting back to the original subject - Lesley - do get involved with IHDT, there is a lot of fun to be had whether you carry a groom or not. | ||
| Janet Sycamore Username: Janets Registered: 10-2006 |
I know this is the forum for indoor trials Liz I was just trying to explain what a shetland is capable of doing with the right preperation for competition conditions .Outdoor trials are just if not more tough then indoor as you don't have a nice level surface to drive on & have to cope with whatever conditions you find you are up against on the day ......A lot of smaller ponies are driven by juniors just starting out in the sport of driving & indoors is a good introduction to competive driving for them But I am sure many event organisers would not be happy to have them competing in cones/obstacles without a groom on board in case of a hiccup If you want to have the rules amended so that mini pony driver's don't have a groom on board you could have the problem of who's ok to drive alone & who isn't ?Janet Sycamore | ||
| Liz Howe Username: Lizh Registered: 10-2007 |
I think we are getting away from the point here - we started off with a single miniature/midi pony, not standard or pairs and this is the forum for Indoor Driving Trials. Obviously different people have different ideas and expectations for their animals but there do seem to be several people who would like to compete without a groom. I also know of miniature horse people who would like a crack at this very exciting type of competition, and they drive far less robust horses than a Shetland pony. Different types of artificial surfaces will also affect decisions on where and when to compete. Here in the south-east we probably have the most successful Shetland driver - but they are choosy as to what surface they compete on, preferring rubber to sand. As for a fitness issue - only a fool would attempt dressage, cones and obstacles without getting their animal fit. I'm sure if someone were competing unfit ponies that finished the day stressed and unhappy, one of the very knowledgeable and experienced organisers would have a quiet word in their ear. I'm hoping this 'no groom for minis' issue may be discussed with the IHDT organisers and if they see fit perhaps they will let us try next season. | ||
| Janet Sycamore Username: Janets Registered: 10-2006 |
I am in total agreement with you Joanne re under estimating the abilities of smaller ponies Having done a few sesons indoors with both single ( 39 inch )& pair ( 34 inch )turnouts I have now ventured out into the world of outdoor trials My local club East Anglian Carriage Driving Group where happy to agree to experiment with a small pony class for 11.2 & under singles & mutilpies doing dressage in a 80 x 40 areana cones course of up to 20 sets of cones & section E only marathon approx 6 km including 6 obstacles We competed at the first event at Euston Park Norfolk which is quite hilly & sandy under hoof on the marathon We are helping the club to set realistic time targets for section E & cones so that more small pony drivers will come & join us I drove my 39 inch mare who is no spring chicken at 18 y.o !to a 4 wheeled fully spec marathon vehicle with me & backstepper ( combined weight of passengers approx 22 stone )over a 2 day competition with no problems I fact she was a bit too lively in the dressage phase & refused to do a halt( nil points ! ) but did do a very impressive 360 degrees turn on X which I think impressed the judges for the wrong reason .Breezed through the cones in good time but 2 balls down & found the marathon far more easier to cope with than I was expecting In fact when we got to last 500 metre mark we had 6 mins in hand & had to walk the rest of the course to be sure we didn't come in too under our target time We then competed at a one day event last week using the same distant/times etc dressage went well ! cones was fantastic ( double clear )!! But the marathon following on after a approx two & half hour break was a bit of a challange So it is very much an experiment to decide how much you are happy to ask your ponies to do & as Joanne says how much time & effort you put into training & fitness preperation Never asking your ponies to do more than they are prepared for or you are comfortable with asking from them Happy Driving & don't give ! Janet Sycamore | ||
| Joanna Bassett Username: Joannab Registered: 10-2007 |
I think that a lot of people underestimate the minis to be honest, I did indoors with my 36 inch mare, who isnt a very stocky build, and she had no problems, in fact she had some of the fastest obstacle times. I warmed up without a groom, and my groom hopped on just as we went in the arena. the only bit i found she struggles with was the dressage where in one event, the surface had only been laid a week or two before, when she could go at a comfortable speed to maintain momentum she was fine. Admittedly she was incredibly fit and i had to do a lot of work with her, as getting a little pony fit for trials involves twice as much work as a big pony. I say, give it a go with a groom, and if your pony really cant manage it, go HC It would be nice if one could compete without a groom, but i think that mihgt conflict with other rules, as in would juniors still need a groom etc... | ||
| Liz Howe Username: Lizh Registered: 10-2007 |
I think I am the person IHDTC refers to. I had a fantastic time competing HC last winter. The competitions are brilliantly run and I learned a lot. For a first season I don't think it mattered a jot whether I am HC or not. You get your score cards with individual marks and you also get a complete break down of everyones scores, that way you can see how you are doing in the class. I kept all my score cards so I could compare how I did at each event and could see exactly what needs to be worked on before the next competition. In short you get everything all the other competitors get except a rosette. However I would love to be able to compete properly in my second season. It is very hard work for single Shetlands especially the very small (38" and under). Sand surfaces can become deep. My groom is always on hand and could sprint the length of the indoor school far quicker than he could pick himself up off the floor should disaster happen. Here are some facts I have discovered. The average weight of a man is between 12 and 13 stone. The average weight of a woman is between 8 1/2 and 10 stone. The average weight of a child is: girl - 9 stone 6lb and boy - 10 stone 6lb. These weights are rather hefty for a single Shetland to pull on an artificial surface. Such is my keeness for these competitions, I have lost over 2 stone in weight and at 5'9" tall I am HUNGRY! A super-waif I may never be, but I am doing everything in my power to lighten the load. I would not ask for a special class for smalls nor would I ask for special prizes or rosettes, but I would love to be able to compete without having to carry a groom. As mentioned previously some countries allow this, America, Australia and New Zealand do. My local driving club run a couple of competitions similar to IHDTC and they are happy for me to compete without carrying a groom. Don't give up hope Lesley - try competing HC for a start, I'm sure you will have a lot of fun. | ||
| Lesley WIlkinson Username: Mandmoorland Registered: 05-2008 |
Thanks for that Guest's if I'm correct in saying i am sure there is another member on here who is or was trying to get a meet together for us small ponies but not sure if it has to be passed or given permission by the governing bodies of the sport ? but surely if someone organized one to see how it went just for a fun / charity day it might get the thumbs up to continue!! then this way we might find grooms to participate in the sport just by people who come to have a look at the show and to see whats involved and maybe a lot more minis will compete in the big events as they will have found grooms to help good idea about a groom been in the arena that might work!! and agree multiples and pairs should have a groom aboard as they already do! as the pulling power is there with more than one little person and a lot more to handle and deal with any hows lets hope something happens quickly here in the UK for us mini peeps other wise i just might get tempted to emigrate (lol) | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
Here in Australia under Australian Carriage Driving Society rules, we can compete with a single small pony 90-120cm without a groom in Outdoor Driving Trials,including Championships. Equestrian Federation of Australia have a similar rule but it applies to 10.2hh and under. I know it is very presumptuous of me to suggest that this maybe something to consider Indoor Trials? Many of our members like having the choice of not having to have a groom. Small pony multiples have to have a groom. I must admit to being biased, I'm a Shetland owner. Go small ponies. | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
Why don't the IHDT make a new class for small ponies that allow single whip to drive and groom to be in the arena. let's move forward. and on that note why don't the rules change to say that it is the horse or pony that qualifies, that way Novice competitors/whips will not be running against equines that were national entries or experienced display team ponies. If I qualify next year I won't bother to enter because I will be competing against quality equines and not intermediate whips. It is a shame that this part of the sport has become dominated by money and is no longer representative of the grass roots horse/pony driver. | ||
| Lesley WIlkinson Username: Mandmoorland Registered: 05-2008 |
Thanks for that Ihdtcoffice i know i am not the only one out there but just seem's that way some days just think its a bit unfair for us small pony people to miss out on it all (competing ) it would be so nice to have maybe two meets a year or something where us little people dont need grooms on board just so we can have a taster day of what all the big people do on a reg basic is it not allowed for anyone to organise such a day just for fun ? a few rosette placings and cup at the end of the day for mini peeps only if so i would love to organise one where i live as i said though just for fun | ||
| IHDTC Office Username: Ihdtcoffice Registered: 01-2003 |
We have a Shetland competitor in the South East who does not have a groom to ride with her, due to weight ratio and arena surface. Her companion stands just inside the school - just in case - and she runs HC and really enjoys herself and is very keen. Maybe she will find a young adult or good junior to drive with her. Don't give up, someone will turn up. | ||
| Lesley WIlkinson Username: Mandmoorland Registered: 05-2008 |
Started !! i have tried every which way to find a groom for my shetland pony and no one is intrested i am so sad desparate to do some kind of competition work in the driven but cant find anything any help would be great but i just know now all driven has to have a groom!! so i will have to keep just plodding on schooling up in the outdoor school and road work in prep for maybe one day i can have a go |