In my area HJ association, there's a girl that always shows a pony that is way too small for her. She does eq, hunters, and jumpers on him. He's very talented, but it looks so...strange...for him to carry her around.

She generally does not place in eq because he does not fit her at all, but at one show I think she ended up being eq champion, beating out riders that rode and fit their horses a lot better.

Has anyone else seen anything like this at shows?

Green pony.


Generally if a trainer has a small or medium that has a lot of potential but isn't broke enough for a smaller/beginner/short stirrup type rider they'll give it to one of their more experienced riders to show in the higher divisions to get it known and get it experience so it's easier to sell.

Most judges know this and take it into consideration when judging.

^thats just what i was going to say

i see that a lot at shows actually, but not just on ponies... theres a girl who owns a 50k horse in my circuit, but the sad thing is that she doesnt even fit the horse (the horse is 16.1 maybe, and the girl is near 5'10''). She jacks her stirrups up so that she can ride her.

But yea, some ponies need to be ridden by older kids- but i dont know any riders who would ride a really green pony in eq.... so it sounds like shes seriously competing on him

if you need a horse to show then you won't turn anything down. obviously eq. isn't judged on said green pony so the girl has a chance to win something for her riding.

some judges take fit into consideration, some don't. it just depends on the other pairs in the class.

actually trainers have girls that are too big for the pony they are ridding ride in all 3 rings to show off the ponys versitility

if they pony and rider place high in eq than it will be worth more as an equitation pony ect for jumpers and hunters so yes girls who are schooling ponys should go in the eq classes too =]

yea i agree! alot of people do use small ponies.

I'm 5'1" and I used to show my trainer's ponies because she's 5'8"...Lets Make Cents is 13.3 hands, Cool Ur Jetz is 13.3 hands and Skipping Skool is 13.1. I'm pretty short, but I still always looked out of place on them.

last time i rode a pony was over a year ago. Im 5'8'' so... i cant really ride them anymore lol

im 5'4 and i ride my trainers pony's but i cant show them becasue i show in the 33 36 eq and jumpers so ya =[

A lot of trainers have the older and more experienced riders ride the green ponies. I know I work with a green pony and look big on him but until he gets more mileage he is too much for a smaller and less experienced rider to handle.

Green ponies usually do have older taller riders on them becasue the little kids cant handle them. I know in Hunter/jumpers its kindof frowned apon when someone older rides a pony but in eventing even adults will ride ponys because the turns and distances are easier for them.

maybe you should talk to this girl just comment on the pony and ask if it is hers. she will probably tell you about the pony, and then u will no if she just bought a pony because its cute, or if it is green, or her trainers, ect... then at least your mind can rest at ease.

I thought we had already settled this, but whatever...


I don't think my point really got across very well. The ponies I was talking about are not green-they've been around for a while. They're not for sale either. I think it's just a case of girls that outgrew their first pony and are still trying to compete on them for any number of reasons. One of the girls was trying a horse at the show, so I think she's finally realizing that she needs to move on. If the pony is for sale I'll post a link somewhere...he's very cute.