[pds]

sorry, but still think it is irresponsible to have a 6 yr old doing this - people push their young children way to much. A 6 yr old does not have the strength or skill to handle it if something goes wrong. Good pony yes, but still makes me cringe.

And this attitude is why today's US parents are raising a growing number of wimps (or whatever you want to call it) for children.

[Alagirl]

I don't really see a 6 yr old having had the experience nor the body control - and her eyes look closed to me - just don't think a kid that young should be out there. There is a reason many riding stables don't give lessons to kids unless they are over 6.

yes, we get it.
You don't like it.

Newsflash: A horse outweighs you by a good ten times. When something goes wrong, you won't be able to stop a horse either.

The horse is a bit big, but size really has no bearing on whether the horse is safe or not. I knew a pony that was perfectly capable of launching (big) grown men.

The kid is hanging a bit on the bit, big deal. It's an elevator bit? So what. it's in the softer hole and after all the horse is pretty big for a little one.
(BTW, I have read an explanation for something like that, a good 30 years ago, and the book wasn't new then: the British were putting their kids on lighter bred ponies with harsher bit with the understanding that in doubt they get out of their faces instead of pulling on the reins.)

Having a kid fall off 20 times in one lesson is NOT risk management. It's a sure fire way to sour a kid on riding.

Would I put a small child on a Xcountry course? Likely not. But I certainly don't see much harm when there is a well trained mount available and the kid has the skill...

[sketcher]

we are getting so overly cautious... i feel sorry for modern kids.....

Me Too!!!!!!!!

[Pussy Cat]

i am glad that some of you were not my mum when i was little i started riding at 6 and by 8 was jumping everything in the world (bareback , barefoot and in shorts to boot!)

we are getting so overly cautious... i feel sorry for modern kids.....

Me too!

I was fox hunting at 8 and taking the fences. What fun we all had back then - and lived to tell about it.

[2DogsFarm]

Or is it AuntEsther?

I'm afraid I cannot totally approve of this little mite aside from her obvious bravery

While her horse appears to be doing his job, his sleepy eye and loose front end suggest the rider should be working more on gymnastic exercises before tackling such a large obstacle.

Her release looks good - with straight line from elbow to bit.
Since her knee is all but invisible, I cannot comment on angle. But her wee hip needs to close more to follow the horse's bascule, even though he appears to be a flat jumper.

Her foot does seem to be too far home in the iron and her eyes (if she is not napping) should be looking ahead to her next fence.

The horse (hony?) appears in good condition, but more careful grooming would bring a shine to that coat.

Since it seems this rider is Eventing, I can excuse the lack of traditional more formal H/J garb and overlook the oh-so pink helmet cover.
Though the unclean tack and ill-fitting saddlepad do nothing to add to the overall impression.

Geesh!
That was exhausting!
How does he do it?

Seriously - looks to me like this kiddo is having a grand time on a kind pony and will probably grow up to be a competent rider, XC if not in the Hunter ring.

And reminds me very much of 8yo me jumping picnic tables

[Isabeau Z Solace]

And this attitude is why today's US parents are raising a growing number of wimps (or whatever you want to call it) for children.

Um... yes. If the kid's ready for it and wants to do it then she should be allowed to do so.

Funny side story... a friend of mine spend a few weeks in Ireland as a teenager. She rode with friends of the family, and took lessons with the regular gang of Irish kids at the barn.

One day they went out to school xcountry. The Irish kids (some 9-10 years old) took every opportunity to ignore the instructor and basically took to bombing their horses over every scary jump they could find.

My friend was horrified! She was quite impressed at the difference in how gutsy the kids were. They always pushed to jump higher and more. Just a big cultural difference. Whereas in the USA it was always "well you're just not good enough to do ABC," in Ireland the instructor was flummoxed to hold the kids back!

This is a big problem we have in American culture in general. A BIG, HUGE, SERIOUS problem.

[Alagirl]

Or is it AuntEsther?

I'm afraid I cannot totally approve of this little mite aside from her obvious bravery

While her horse appears to be doing his job, his sleepy eye and loose front end suggest the rider should be working more on gymnastic exercises before tackling such a large obstacle.

Her release looks good - with straight line from elbow to bit.
Since her knee is all but invisible, I cannot comment on angle. But her wee hip needs to close more to follow the horse's bascule, even though he appears to be a flat jumper.

Her foot does seem to be too far home in the iron and her eyes (if she is not napping) should be looking ahead to her next fence.

The horse (hony?) appears in good condition, but more careful grooming would bring a shine to that coat.

Since it seems this rider is Eventing, I can excuse the lack of traditional more formal H/J garb and overlook the oh-so pink helmet cover.
Though the unclean tack and ill-fitting saddlepad do nothing to add to the overall impression.

Geesh!
That was exhausting!
How does he do it?

Seriously - looks to me like this kiddo is having a grand time on a kind pony and will probably grow up to be a competent rider, XC if not in the Hunter ring.

And reminds me very much of 8yo me jumping picnic tables

[Kwill]

I think the photo is a bit deceving ... the pony is "about 14hh" the mom says, and one of the school ponies. I think those are probably small tires, rather than full size car tires. So it's not all that bad.

AuntEsther, the whip does match the hat, now. Points for that.

[Rallycairn]

2DogsFarm, your "analysis" was spot on! Every phrase was good, but your recommendation for more gymnastics was truly inspired. lololol

[2DogsFarm]

I may be old, but I retain what I read in PH

[RaeHughes]

I was judging the dressage at a one-day-event here in New Zealand. Because I am seen as a "kind but fair" judge for the children, I was doing "PRE-INTRO" - so about 40cm max - for the children 8 years and under (as per programme).

I had the beaming smiles, the pony listening to (and doing what) the caller (allowed in this class only), and one very memorable little girl.

To be frank, she would have struggled to make 6 or was very tiny for her age and on a well groomed chocolate brown Shetland pony. She trotted up the centre-line, halted at C and burst into tears. I mean heart-rendering sobbing tears. Of course, I got out to see what was wrong and what we could do to sort it out. Seems that this little girl had realised that it was her turn to ride, I was waiting to judge and her mum (who was to be her caller) was helping her older sister. So she had "womaned" up and started to do her warm-up around the ring - I thought she was going to do it solo and belled her in and it all became just too much for her. Lots of praise for her attempt and I offered her my writer to call - it wasnt a difficult test. So out she went (she wasnt the only child to get a "re-start" that day ) and back in. Big beaming smile all the way around - and an asbolute saint of a pony - and a very proud Mum and big sister watching.

I volunteered to fence judge on the XC - and watched the same very small child on her pony absolutely blitz the xc and provide leads into several fences for her friends.

As long as they are appropriately outfitted and horsed/ponyed, I consider that these children are best out doing what needs doing. I would rather see a child like this blasting around a xc on what looks to be a saint of a pony, than whining about getting the next best thing or being boooorrrreeeddddd.

[skydy]

i am glad that some of you were not my mum when i was little i started riding at 6 and by 8 was jumping everything in the world (bareback , barefoot and in shorts to boot!)

we are getting so overly cautious... i feel sorry for modern kids.....

^^^THIS^^^ in spades. I am so grateful to have had the parents that I had and to have been born when I was..
Today , they could possibly be prosecuted for what they allowed me to do horse-wise. How sad for kids nowadays.

The freedom we had! It was wonderful! Of course we had rules but my parents didn't panic and bubble wrap the kids..we took our lumps and learned from the experience.

[mbm]

I was judging the dressage at a one-day-event here in New Zealand. Because I am seen as a "kind but fair" judge for the children, I was doing "PRE-INTRO" - so about 40cm max - for the children 8 years and under (as per programme).

I had the beaming smiles, the pony listening to (and doing what) the caller (allowed in this class only), and one very memorable little girl.

To be frank, she would have struggled to make 6 or was very tiny for her age and on a well groomed chocolate brown Shetland pony. She trotted up the centre-line, halted at C and burst into tears. I mean heart-rendering sobbing tears. Of course, I got out to see what was wrong and what we could do to sort it out. Seems that this little girl had realised that it was her turn to ride, I was waiting to judge and her mum (who was to be her caller) was helping her older sister. So she had "womaned" up and started to do her warm-up around the ring - I thought she was going to do it solo and belled her in and it all became just too much for her. Lots of praise for her attempt and I offered her my writer to call - it wasnt a difficult test. So out she went (she wasnt the only child to get a "re-start" that day ) and back in. Big beaming smile all the way around - and an asbolute saint of a pony - and a very proud Mum and big sister watching.

I volunteered to fence judge on the XC - and watched the same very small child on her pony absolutely blitz the xc and provide leads into several fences for her friends.

As long as they are appropriately outfitted and horsed/ponyed, I consider that these children are best out doing what needs doing. I would rather see a child like this blasting around a xc on what looks to be a saint of a pony, than whining about getting the next best thing or being boooorrrreeeddddd.

you are a saint!!!!

[erniewalker]

Pony is a cute jumper.

I'm not in favour of pushing children, especially since they're growing and learning body control and all that, but that statement cycles around- they're growing and learning body control, so if they have ability to do a jump, okie doke.

I wouldn't like a wee one bombing around a 4' course, but this is a bunch of tires, which tend to be forgiving. Pony could have easily stepped over them (mine would! ask how I know!), but he's giving a cute little jump.

I think the kid's eyes are down, not closed. Because NONE of us have ever looked down, right?

As much as we want to bubble wrap the wee ones, we do have to appreciate learning paths. Some 6 yo kids can start hopping over bitty fences. Some 32 yo ladies still need their hands held when going over 2' fences. (again, ask how I know. LOL)

[enjoytheride]

I think this is a difficult age. As small children they don't have the body control or length of leg to keep them on top if something goes wrong or if the pony trips. They also don't really have any fear at this age, which is a good thing and a bad thing because they can be pushed beyond where they should go. I think it's up to the parent and instructor to evaluate the situation and make a decision from there based on ability and not just the cuteness factor or the kid's desire (kids at this age are pretty gungo ho about anything).

[FalseImpression]

To me, she looks pretty small for being 6... would I have let my kid jump like that at 6? It all depends on how long she had been riding, which pony, which course... but I probably would have had a few heart attacks!

It's her daughter and if something happens, well, she can live with it... or not!

[Alagirl]

I knew girl way back - her mom was the local BNR/pro - mom brought her to the vaulting class one evening and after the big kids were done she got a turn on the big boned WB horse. She looked like a flea on a dog's back! She was three and pretty small.
Unlike the other kids she was fearless. She even cantered, her bangs blowing straight up in the breeze!
When they were done she didn't come off.
would.not.come.off.
After they cooled down the horse with her on it, they had to take her off with the surcingle!

3 or so years later I saw her again at a lesson barn we went to for courses.
She had a lesson on a shortish Hafflinger. After the ride she commended to the instructor how good the horse was (remember, mom is a pro! ) and how she wanted to ride the same pony again.

Then she groomed her own pony - a Shetland - with a friend who seemed to be a bit older, but not as assertive, then she took the beast out for a ride.

Oh...I saw her just tearing it up out there on the meadow! I don't think she took crap from the Sh*tland at all!
Canter? My foot! she galloped that pony along the creek bank!
(I think she got a talking to from the instructor after though...I did mention that she was given the pony what for. Not to bust her, on my Honor! Just in casual passing! HONEST! )

Body control is a funny thing:
New studies have proven that coddling kids is bad for them!
Kids who do get to run, play, fall and rough house are much less prone to injury and broken bones later in life.

Ever seen the little 5 and 6 yo Shaolin monks, standing for 5 minutes with one leg stretched over their heads , then performing intricate movements? It's what you do from an early age on...you let them ride, they get good at it. You coddle them - their abilities never blossom quiet the same.

[Neigh-Neigh]

Kid's wearing all the proper PPE, and dammit if she doesn't hold her whip in a better position than I do.

No, she won't be able to handle it if things go wrong. But then again, neither could I when I started out, neither can any beginner. I just fell off, and I didn't even have a fancy chest protector.

I could not agree with this post more.

Kids are made of rubber and magic. She'll be fine.

[Lilykoi]

I could not agree with this post more.

Kids are made of rubber and magic. She'll be fine.

Agree 100%!

[Bravestrom]

Agree 100%!

I sure hope you guys are right and I am wrong.