Across the board

TOP show pony producer Julie Templeton believes riders’ size and weight should be key, rather than age, as she said in her recent H&H column (opinion, 10 March).

She told H&H she believes those on all sides of the debate agree that horse and pony welfare is “at the heart of all we do”.

She believes it was not fair for the GYS to lose its qualifiers, but thinks rules on rider size should apply across the board.

“My only concern with the GYS rule – and I think it’s appropriate the right-sized people ride the right-sized ponies – is that it should apply to all classes, not just target the plaited ponies,” she said.

“If you’re going to bring these things in, and with all the talk about social licence, we’ve got to protect our horses, their welfare and our industry. I wish it had been across the board.”

Julie pointed out that a 5ft 3in, lightweight adult cannot work in a 128cm show pony at the GYS, but a 5ft 10in lightweight adult could compete a Dartmoor pony.

“I don’t want to lose anyone their livelihood, and appreciate there’s a place for small adults working a pony in to give it confidence and set it up so the child has a positive experience,” she said. “Some of our children sadly only ride in the show ring, and it’s important they’re on ponies who understand and are straight, obedient, soft in the mouth and comfortable to ride.

“And we’ve got to be inclusive, for the children who may not have the facilities to ride at home; we want to encourage children from all backgrounds to enjoy riding.”

Julie cited the exciting atmosphere at major shows and that the classes do not specify that they are looking for the safest ponies.

“There are lots of ponies for people to learn on at different levels,” she said. “One is the riding school pony, and if you want to change a show pony to a riding school one, that’s fine, let’s have a class for that. But at the moment it’s for the best pony, and the best pony might be a bit sharper and trickier.

“We want to support children until they’re confident to work in and haven’t given up because they’ve fallen off too many times.

“I get the GYS rule, and it’s a choice. You say to clients, ‘Let’s go and have a lovely time,’ or, ‘Actually, your pony might not fit in that environment.’ My overriding priority is the child’s safety and that they have a positive experience.

“Ponies are not robots and machines and we don’t want them to be – and one concern if you ban things is, what will then go on at home?”