| Author | Message | ||
     Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
To Anna Perkins - I have a trusty welsh x shire 14.2hh pony called Bertie, just like yours by the sounds of it! He was orginally from the gypsys and is a loveable reliable chap! We took him to moreton morrell several times and we had a fab time!!! Yes he is slow on the tighter turns compared to the other ponies in his class but he still put in a respectable performance (even if driver error showed him up a bit!) and we loved every minute of it (Bertie included!). Each time we improved alittle and everyone was very supportive. I urge you to take the plunge and go for it!! You wont regret it!! Laura C | ||
| Martin Pink Username: Martinpink Registered: 09-2008 |
As the driver of a 14.1 pony I have been reading this debate with facination , and whilst I am in broad agreement with the rule change it did occur to me that last year (competing at (Merrist wood & Thames Valley ) the eventual winners of both competitions I took part in (carrying Grooms) were both Shetlands.Surely it up to the driver to make the best of the Tools (pony)he has to hand, My pony has the advantage where going is fast but finds it harder on the sharp turns,sureley its up to the competitor to read & then drive the course to their ponys advantage & from my experiance many shetland drivers do. | ||
| Anna Perkins Username: Annap Registered: 10-2007 |
Yes exactly....FUN. Yeay. Hooray for IHDT I say. Best of luck to everyone competing all over the country this season. Lets hope your triumphs are great, and dissapointments are few. | ||
| Janet Sycamore Username: Janets Registered: 10-2006 |
Slow down your horses or should that be small ponies ! I was not going to be drawn into this debate as it opens up a whole new can of worms It doesn't matter whether you are an official organising body or someone on the sidelines trying to encourage & support new ventures or just a driver who turns up & takes part on the day you are NEVER going to please everybody !Last year at the finals IHDT gave everyone a questionaire to fill in One of the questions was "if there was a small pony class what would be your prefered height limit " the choice ranged from 10.00hh & under up to 11.2hh Most people that I know in small ponies ticked the 10.2hh & under box . Last season we gave rosettes to the top 10.2hh & under in the points league in every area in the country that hold events ( approx 13 if my memory is correct ! )to try to encourage more driver's of the smaller end of the size scale to join in & have some FUN ! Yes I am disapointed that 11.00hh is the height limit chosen as I feel that someone driving a single 11.00hh with no groom on board will have a much better advantage than a under 10hh pony with very short legs !It does'nt effect me as I am driving a pair & would never consider competing without my trusty groom on the back keeping us all on the ground !even if I had a choice of groom or no groom But time will tell how this pans out over this season & in the mean time lets all try to pull together & support all small pony driver's & IHDT Keep Smiling & enjoying ourselves It's suppose to be a fun hobby ! Janet Sycamore | ||
| Anna Perkins Username: Annap Registered: 10-2007 |
Louise, no-one is critisizing you. I believe this is a debate that has been going on for some time now. Please correct me if I am wrong someone, and hit me over the head with something blunt. I'm having to learn as I go along, as I'm new to all this. And I have to say, I've found the people on here to be more than helpful, and really friendly. And the "real" ones that I've met in person have been welcoming, warm, and lovely too. Although I don't yet compete (hope to), I hope I can join into a lively discussion, and put my opinion accross. I'm sorry, but I agree with what Rita said. I did watch the "small pony class" debate closely, as I was the owner of a 10hh Shetty that I intended to compete. He has since been sold to a Lead-rein var/www, and I am left with a 14hh lazy, but loveable 1/2 Shire, 1/2 Welsh, cobby mare. So, having watched the three phases at Moreton Morrell several times now, with a view to one day soon, maybe plucking up the courage to start competing myself, it has struck me time and time again, that some of these littles are at a distinct advantage in this sport, compared to many of the larger horses. Yes, even the 11.2hh littles. But, I am concerned. Where does this small ponies class argument stop? Unless there is a COMPLETE change of rules, where there are specific classes that pertain only to the height of the equines competing (that is, an under 10.2hh class,an under 12.2hh class, an under etc etc etc throughout and including every possible height), someone is always going to feel hard-done-by. I can see this argument running on and on..... Make too many changes to the rules/way the sport is run, (which in my humble opinion appear to be working well as they are), and the sport itself changes. As it stands now, this is one of the few sports that I can consider taking part in with my beloved family pony. She is nothing special, but with the format for this sport as it stands now, I could compete on a level with everybody else, whether they have thousands of pounds worth of Friesian, or a couple of hundreds worth of pony bought off Stowe fair. (Not trying to offend, trying to make a point, probably very badly, as usual!) If the sport changes very much, it'll push people with the more ordinary ponies out, and surely that can't be a good thing. I agree wholeheartedly with the changes made so far (ie, the new grooms rule for the teeny ponies, and the small pony class), but please folks, think really hard, before putting pressure on governing bodies for more rule changes still. Louise, you can still "play" as you put it (however seriously, or competitively as you want to), just get out there, and get on with it, with a great big smile on your face! Louise, I know last year you were going to try to get to Moreton Morrell, and didn't make it???? If you could make it to the next one, or the training day, I'd be delighted to be able to meet up with you?? | ||
| Louise Warne Username: Louisew Registered: 11-2007 |
I think you all need to go back and read the original post. I was not critisising anyone and I think you will find my post was quite pleasant, unlike some of the replies. The rude responses have made me think twice about even logging on! I thought you were a friendly group. I was not critisising IHDT at all. I will not post in the future. | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
I think you'll find IHTDC IS encouraging people in the sport by adding this new class by popular demand from people who feel they cant compete with small ponies even though past results prove there is no reason why they cant be just as competitive. Its hard work to cater for the many different people that want to compete and I'm afraid it's all too easy for people to critise others when they only see the competitors side of things! Keep up the good work IHDT! | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
I think you are all missing Louise's point! She was only suggesting something and to be honest if that is the case with the small ponies being so competitive why are people asking for a different class? I thought we were suppose to support ideas and encourage people into the sport, not put them off! | ||
| Rita Bundock Username: Roanmare Registered: 11-2007 |
TO ALL SMALL PONY DRIVERS. Just how many 'small ponies' are there? How many classes do you want, one for under 10.2 - one for under 11.2 - one under 12.2 etc. When a pair of small Shetlands can win, against all comers, the Pairs Championship at the Indoor Championship Finals, (more than once this has happened!) other small ponies have competed and beaten larger ponies. Having driven small ponies I know they have to go like stink, (it is much more fun than a larger animal having to pull round tight when smallies can just keep cantering) but these little uns are up for it - are you? | ||
| Louise Warne Username: Louisew Registered: 11-2007 |
I do understand that everyone will want something different. If you have small ponies you will want the height limit to be smaller, if you have larger ponies you will want the limit to be bigger. I know 11.2's can be very competitive but mine is no where near as quick as my Shetland!I do understand a rule is a rule but it is not the same for everyone when my pony would be competing against ponies that tower over her and it was only a suggestion to have a think about. I think they should have a class for 10.2's and under but maybe consider the ponies that just miss out. A 10.2 and under class and a 12.2 and under class would be the answer I feel. People with the small ponies would get the choice of competing in 2 classes depending on ability and I feel the entries would be better supported. These are only suggestions and I wasn't trying to take anything away from the wonderful little ponies, I do love them myself. | ||
| Alan Hodges Username: Alan Registered: 10-2006 |
Personally I think 11hh is too big. There is a massive difference between an 11.2 pony and even a full size Shetland, it's all down to the length of leg. Anyway with indoor events an 11.2 can be very competitive just look back at the finals results for the last five years and you will see how well this size of animal has done. At the end of the day rules is rules and so long as it's the same for everybody there should be no problem although I realise there will always be complaints. | ||
| Louise Warne Username: Louisew Registered: 11-2007 |
I think it is wonderful that there is going to be a new class for the small ponies but very sad that my pony is an inch too big! I was very excited when I heard that there was going to be a class for my little one and thrilled that we may be able to join in the fun and be competitive. Please consider the still very small ponies who have no chance against the big boys. I know there will always be some people that aren't happy with a particular rule but I never thought my 11.2 pony would be described as too big for anything. Please please have a rethink with regards to the height limit. We want to play too. |