nicolemorgans wrote:
HP-she knows that she is at least a year from being able to show her new horse over fences. Until that time she is looking at maybe doing some pleasure or Eq walk trot classes. The horse will be sent to a trainer, either myself or another, and will be jumped and shown over fences before she gets to start jumping on her. If a horse is already solid on the flat, but needs help with jumping, then I'm not sure what the big deal is? She isn't looking at 3 year olds, but older (this connie is the youngest at 9) horses that have experience in some way, just maybe not over fences. This mare has supposedly done some x country, and fox hunting, as well as extensive trail riding. As you probably know, "made" hunters here in VA aren't cheap, even for just a local show prospect, and she would rather something that she couldn't show over fences right away, to having to deal with arthritis and injections and only being able to ride her new horse for a couple of years before needing to retire it.

Also, I have worked to make my jumps at home fairly imposing so in all my "greenies" have never had an issue at a show since they have seen most of it at home. I also never said she would be doing 2' jumpers. She might start showing beginner hunter after the horse has gained experience. Anyway I don't understand what the issue is with the beginner jumpers. Only one local show offers it, and only during the winter (last show is in March) and its mostly people that eventually want to show the hunters, but are getting miles on greenies. Most of the courses are trotted with brief cantering. Its actually way less scary then the novice jumpers since by the time they get to that level they have enough confidence to fly around.
Your kid is not strong enough to handle a horse that isn't made overfences. I can see that in the video. Even if you, or someone else, finishes a green horse for her there is NO guarantee it will be quiet and safe and sane for a beginner. There's a reason why we have pony jocks in hunterland. It's because we know that even our extensively experienced version of "green" requires a few good years of solid riding BY A KID before you toss a beginner aboard. Years IN ADDITION to however long the pony spent with a professional. Especially when you're first learning to show and you're nervous you need a steady eddy. The parents need to be told that injections might be the cost of their kid's success, happiness, and safety. The kid is going to out grow this pony eventually, either in ability or size, so super long term thinking shouldn't be involved. The kid doesn't know the business. The parents don't know the business. This is YOU pushing for a greener horse, and IMO, that's unethical given the situation. Most parents are perfectly willing to believe their kid is a star student and can handle anything, and you, as trainer, need to tell them otherwise. Give me a minute, I will find you several perfect ponies for cheap.

As for the jumpers, she isn't even at the stage where she needs to be thinking about that. Jumpers are YEARS away for this kid, and I highly doubt you will find a wonder pony that can cart the kid around a hunter course safely then turn and be a 3ft+ (which is, in my mind, where the jumpers start because anything lower than that is scary and unsafe) jumper pony after several years. And you know what? Getting the kid a pony that isn't suitable for the hunters is just going to make her want to rush into the jumpers before she's ready. (sorry for the randomness, just typing as I think it). I really, REALLY don't think this kid even needs to consider if this mount will do the jumpers. She needs a good 3-4 years in the hunters before I'd even consider it, and at that point she's going to need something bigger anyway. Annnddd I'll be back later to finish this...