How important is movement in Short Stirrup?

[pony4me]

A family would like to borrow my pony so their daughter can show in Short Stirrup this year. The pony loves the kid, is a nice, safe, reliable ride, and has a nice jump. The kid is a great rider, and is a good match for the pony. However, pony is not a good mover. Or perhaps he's an excellent mover, if you like Morgans. They are relatively new to showing, and my barn goes to mostly A shows. I plan on explaining this drawback to them, but would like your thoughts on how important movememt is at this level. The barn has other ponies available that are better movers, but the kid likes my pony best. Thanks!

[Monarch]

It' s been awhile but is not short stirrup judged on the rider? If my memory is right then the movement of the pony does not matter.
M

[EquitationRider]

I remember when showing in the short stirrups I had a horse that was a terrible mover on the flat and at local shows I did fine. But at the "A"s I didn't do as well. Now you see a lot really fancy made ponys. I think it depends on how bad a mover your pony is and the level of competition. Also if the kid and their parents really care how well they place in a hunter hack.

[pony4me]

There's a hunter component, and an equitation component for Short Stirrup in our area. Pony has been used a lot for 12 - 14 equitation, where movement doesn't matter, with very good results, and some happy kids.

[EquitationRider]

There's a hunter component, and an equitation component for Short Stirrup in our area. Pony has been used a lot for 12 - 14 equitation, where movement doesn't matter, with very good results, and some happy kids.

I would tell the parents that in stiff competition the pony won't place well. Its one class. If they don't want to lose then don't do the class. Or just do it for expirience for the kid and fun. If the pony is a good match for the kid and could teach them a lot I wouldn't let the fact that the pony won't place well on the flat stop from the expirience.

[MHM]

In the short stirrup hunter under saddle, the best mover should win. In the jump classes, the movement may not make a huge difference unless the division is very competitive in your area, or the pony is really a tremendous eggbeater.

If the pony jumps well and the kid puts in good trips in the hunter classes, she should do fine. In the equitation classes, the movement should make no difference.

[Silk]

It could make a difference in the hunter division. In my area, at the A shows, the s/s division is pretty competitive and many of the s/s ponies are fancy meds and larges who have moved down through the divisions. However, that being said, it is more important for the child to be on something safe, consistent and who will let her learn the show ring ropes. If she likes your pony and is safe on it, I think he sounds like a great first pony for the ring!!

Edited to add: of course, I am assuming this pony looks and jumps like a morgan which may not be the case. I forgot to mention that we have a hackney pony who we DO NOT HACK, for obvious reasons, but the little thing has fantastic auto changes and a jump that is gorgoeus and he does very well over fences. He is well marked, has a very fancy. OSme judges ignore him; some use him regularly. Bottom line, he jumps what you point him at (always important when you have greener riders in the show ring) and he is fun-the kids love him.

[JinxyFish313]

As was said, makes a difference in the hunter section. I've seen a flashy pony help a mediocre kid pin ahead of more solid riders on more plain ponies a million times though, even in the equitation. When I was a kid, the pretty ponies showed in SS and the less than pretty ponies did Beginner for the most part. Although it should be said that there is such a thing as a flashy pony with just decent movement. Some of them just command attention, even without Division hack winning style.

[ponymom64]

Well, it matters and it doesn't. One of my ponies, who is not a mover and while we think he is gorgeous, others might describe him as plain, was champion almost every week he showed at WEF last year, champion at Fairfield, Ox Ridge and OSF. But he is a total rock star over fences, takes care of the kid, finds the jumps on his own and in general, just a good steady eddy type. He beat much fancier looking and moving ponies, but the quality of his jump is outstanding.

[superpony123]

dont know about your area, but here we have 2 divisions: SS hunter and SS eq. in eq, it wouldnt matter at all. my friend used my pony in the SS at an AA show one year and did excellent in the eq, and good in the hunters o/f but nothing in the u/s, because my pony is an awful mover :) the o/f part of the hunters doesnt matter as much at all, but it def does for the hunter u/s. that's only one class, and its not as big of a deal as long as you do okay in the o/f. ive gotten plenty of champs/reserves without pinning in the hack, or getting last place in the hack on my pony. and this area (zone 2, NJ) is the most competitive for most divisions in the US, along with FL. there might be 20 kids in SS at any C show in the summer, and at least 6 in the winter. at AA shows in the spring summer, i expect more (though maybe not because numbers have been falling at AA shows recently)

[who22]

When I showed Short Stirrup about 10 years ago, I had a horse who was pretty good over fences and always pinned near the bottom, if at all, in the hacks. However, we were Champ at shows all the time and ended up in the top 5 at year end.