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Post by Goldenwood on Dec 31, 2006 15:06:33 GMT
Well i've been a bit bored today,so been sittin watching videos that hubby had taken at the shows this year.
Why are our jockeys in mountain and moorland and highland classes to unfit to get on their ponies without a mounting block. Should we too not be thinking about getting ourselves slim and fit before critising ponies that are too fat and can't canter round ring.
Watched Royal welsh cob classes and an older gentleman lept onto his pony with nothing,putting many to shame.
surely it can't be too hard to mount a mere 14.0hh highland or a conny.
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Post by lesleym on Dec 31, 2006 15:09:29 GMT
tis true what you say Goldenwood but with a fat pony esp a Hipo the saddle will usually slip, so you need to mount from something or get a leg up.  . Trust me after riding some Hipos for a Hipo judge at a show |
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Post by Lavender on Dec 31, 2006 15:09:53 GMT
Goldenwood, I NEVER get on anything without a leg up or a mounting block I'm afraid  I think it puts a strain on their backs to get up from the ground I do see where you are coming from though, I've been looking at piccs from shows last year  |
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Post by lochlands on Dec 31, 2006 15:20:12 GMT
Hear hear GW, so well said, and something I have also noticed.
I don't think 20 years ago, there used to be people carrying assorted crates into the ring to enable themselves to get back on board. I agree with you, fair enough a wee help to get on a 17hh'r, but adults competeing in ridden classes should be suitably proficient to properly mount a 14hh pony.
Is learning to mount no longer an important skill that is taught ? In my pony club days you had to be able to mount from both sides, do around the world and scissors exercises and what's more vault on without a saddle, bring back the good old days.
For the purposes of a ridden class the groom can easily hold the off side stirrup, thus preventing the saddle slipping, and it looks a lot prettier than someone puffing and struggling while perching precariously on the top of their crate. I cant think of any judges in highland classes who use a block, if the judge can mount,without one, the competitors should be able to as well.
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Post by Lavender on Dec 31, 2006 15:23:44 GMT
Funny you should mention being taught properly to mount, Lochlands, Granny Jill gave me a lesson on mounting once, she said it is important to learn to look proffesional whilst mounting in the ring She did give me a drum though, as I'm too wee to get on Lavender from the ground  |
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Post by lochlands on Dec 31, 2006 15:27:14 GMT
Absolutely Lav, as you wou would expect Granny Jill is so right, nothing spoils the overall picture more than watching someone struggle to get back on. Wee person and big horse is excusable, but adult and wee pony most certainly is not.
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Post by hannah on Dec 31, 2006 15:31:13 GMT
I can certainly get back on by myself, and I agree wholeheartedly that someone clambering back onto their mount is not a pretty picture in the ring! At home I never mount without a mounting block because I want to protect Row's back, but in the ring my mum holds the opposite stirrup to stop the saddle slipping. x
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Post by poser on Dec 31, 2006 15:32:29 GMT
I use a mounting block, mainly because my legs are too short to get on Silver without making the saddle slip and being a clumsy mess or hurting her, she's sensitive that way. I mounted from the ground with every other horse except Silver. I am skinny and fit but unfortunately i am not elastic man and just don't stetch that way. Mounting from the ground just doesn't apply to all people in all situations
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Post by valliant on Dec 31, 2006 15:55:56 GMT
Would agree that highlands are'nt the easiest to mount but if you learn to mount holding the other side of the saddle it is easy to shift your weight over thus no saddle slipping. As for big horses my daughter is 5ft2 and managed to mount a 17hh without any problems at all. I do find it disapointing that our m & ms seem to attract "heavy" people, it is a much nicer picture allround if the person isnt a fat blob on top..  |
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Post by Goldenwood on Dec 31, 2006 16:23:25 GMT
I agree that the assistant of a mounting block is required for bigger horses but hey if we can't mount a welsh or highland without a crate in ring,well we should not be riding.As for saddles slippin on highlands as lochlands says someone can hold other stirrup in the ring,i have ridden highlands in the ring and never once did i need a leg up or mounting block.Maybe it time that a new rule came in banning the use of grooming kits and crates been allowed in the m and m ring for mounting.
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Post by essendy on Dec 31, 2006 16:39:42 GMT
GW I always had to get a leg up when riding Seren as Im only 4'11" and she was a very wide mare.My stirrups were always just too high up for me to get my toe in the stirrup when wearing long boots.Also her saddle slipped.I mount Dawn from the ground if I have to but try to find a mounting block to stop me twisting the saddle.Must admit the kids these days all seem to get leg ups!Hope there isnt a rule brought in about not mounting from a crate.Or us geriatric riders will have to give up competing lol.
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Post by Lavender on Dec 31, 2006 17:35:29 GMT
I don't need a crate in the ring anyway, I've got big bro and he has been taught to give a proper leg up, incase any ride judge needs one and that has been on quite a few occasions |
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Post by v8kate on Dec 31, 2006 18:59:37 GMT
Well I'm going to take offence at this - very rare for me but:
I dislike pulling horses around unnecessarily. Having had to back a 12hh pony that I could have toppled I even used a mounting block for him & just lifted my leg over the saddle.
I dislike pulling saddles about - I can't afford to replace them.
Some breeds & yes we're talking about most of the natives, particularly HiPos don't have clearly defined withers, have flat backs & broad shoulders & their saddles slip even if they're not in the least bit overweight - it's part of the breed type & there's no point fighting it.
I'm not as young as I was & don't see why I should have to struggle anymore - I did that as a youngster & I did Prince Philip Cup so could certainly vault on.
I don't always have a groom - in fact I've only had a groom once this year so I have to climb on if I have to & can do it reasonably elegantly but I still end up having to skew the saddle back over to vaguely central, no matter how tight the girth is - I'm amazed poor Magnus hasn't expired on occasion.
How many horses get tense before they're mounted, how many are cold backed? A lot of them could be helped by the use of a mounting block so the rider can gently lower themselves into the saddle rather than landing like a sack of spuds & it's not always overweight riders who are the culprits here.
So I shall continue to use a mounting block if available.
From an old crock.
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Post by lesleym on Dec 31, 2006 19:08:06 GMT
I have steps for Ally B or I get a leg up as hes a bit big. As for all others I can get on with a help of someone holding the stirrup. Although theses days after paying a lot for my horses backs to be checked I always try and use a mounting block or get a leg up
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Post by rhummy on Dec 31, 2006 19:57:12 GMT
Sandie has to use a mounting block to get on Rhum because of her knees. Ok, yes she's had 7 operations, but it doesn't mean she can't ride! I think saying that because someone needs a box to get on a pony, they shouldn't be allowed in the ring or to ride is quite a sweeping statement. I echo Kate totally.
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. Trust me after riding some Hipos for a Hipo judge at a show 
I think it puts a strain on their backs to get up from the ground 
