how long does it take to train a show pony

heavenlybabies · 07-19-2005, 12:19 PM

Hi, I have two girls who are interested in showing. They have a welsh pony, who is currently in training. What does the pony need to know, and also how long does it take to teach them to have the proper headset, and to be collected?

jmprider · 07-19-2005, 12:43 PM

What type of showing? Dressage, hunter/jumper, eventing?

heavenlybabies · 07-19-2005, 12:48 PM

Oh sorry, hunter/jumper.

jmprider · 07-19-2005, 12:59 PM

Ok, that helps! I am a h/j person, myself.
I guess it really depends on several things. How long has the pony been in training, how often is she ridden or worked with by the trainer? How often do your girls ride, and what is their level of training?
In general, though, I would say that you could put some miles on the pony at schooling shows regardless of the level of training at this point. Get the pony and your girls out there, to get some experience. Headset and collection will just be a matter of time, and consistent work by the trainer, and the pony's riders. I think it also depends on the pony as well. I have seen horses pick it up in a few weeks, I have seen some that take months to learn it.
I have taken very green horses to local schooling shows, and I have found it to be a good learning experience for them.

EquineAlberta · 07-19-2005, 03:09 PM

I agree with jmprider. A hunter pony doesn't need to know collection to the same extent as a dressage horse, nor do they need to have their head tucked perfectly to get around a baby hunter course.

I would make sure the pony knows how to "miss" to a small jump (get itself and its rider out of a bad distance), travels straight, can add or leave out a stride in a line, do a lead change (flying or simple), whoa, and do easy transitions before the first show.

Many pro trained horses loose confidence fast when a less skilled rider gets it into a jump awkwardly and the pony has never had to deal with that before, so that is something to pony should know how to deal with BEFORE its first show with your kids.

Karen2

07-19-2005, 12:19 PM
heavenlybabies Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 45	how long does it take to train a show pony Hi, I have two girls who are interested in showing. They have a welsh pony, who is currently in training. What does the pony need to know, and also how long does it take to teach them to have the proper headset, and to be collected?

07-19-2005, 12:43 PM
jmprider Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 379	What type of showing? Dressage, hunter/jumper, eventing? __________________ "If riding were all blue ribbons and bright lights, I would have quit long ago."- George Morris

07-19-2005, 12:48 PM
heavenlybabies Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 45	Oh sorry, hunter/jumper.

07-19-2005, 12:59 PM
jmprider Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 379	Ok, that helps! I am a h/j person, myself. I guess it really depends on several things. How long has the pony been in training, how often is she ridden or worked with by the trainer? How often do your girls ride, and what is their level of training? In general, though, I would say that you could put some miles on the pony at schooling shows regardless of the level of training at this point. Get the pony and your girls out there, to get some experience. Headset and collection will just be a matter of time, and consistent work by the trainer, and the pony's riders. I think it also depends on the pony as well. I have seen horses pick it up in a few weeks, I have seen some that take months to learn it. I have taken very green horses to local schooling shows, and I have found it to be a good learning experience for them. __________________ "If riding were all blue ribbons and bright lights, I would have quit long ago."- George Morris

07-19-2005, 03:09 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,688	I agree with jmprider. A hunter pony doesn't need to know collection to the same extent as a dressage horse, nor do they need to have their head tucked perfectly to get around a baby hunter course. I would make sure the pony knows how to "miss" to a small jump (get itself and its rider out of a bad distance), travels straight, can add or leave out a stride in a line, do a lead change (flying or simple), whoa, and do easy transitions before the first show. Many pro trained horses loose confidence fast when a less skilled rider gets it into a jump awkwardly and the pony has never had to deal with that before, so that is something to pony should know how to deal with BEFORE its first show with your kids. Karen2