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David Taylor
| | Posted on Wednesday, 30 January, 2008 - 9:45 pm: | |
Hi Andy
I will also confirm - small ponies fine if fit. I started with 11.2 Dartmoor type initially single then in tandem (wheeler does all of the work though)- and we did section A at 15 kph, C at 18 kph and up to 28 kms total -including Lowther - so you should have no problems. We also first used a large two wheel early Bennington weighing in at 150 KGS
Regards
David |
Fiona Powell
| | Posted on Monday, 28 January, 2008 - 5:51 pm: | |
Andy, in ye olden days - about 15 - 20 years ago, people thought nothing of doing a five section marathon with a (very fit) 11.2 pony. If you and your groom are petite and svelte, all the better - and don't use a heavy carriage with all bells and whistles/disc brakes/delayed steering etc. as these all add unnecessary weight - and, of course, your harness is really well fitted. My 13 hand ponies cope well pulling a 140 kg carriage (4 wheels) and husband and self "of medium weight" round a 15 - 20k course. The carriage needs to be 90kg or more: you can get good lightweight and well balanced carriages these days.
I think the problem is, these days, that people have less experience at (and time for) getting a pony fit enough to do a marathon and the obstacles - this applies to ponies and horses of all sizes!
Check with your local horse driving trials club and see what they advise. Sometimes there is a small ponies class at an event, doing only section E (with the obstacles) so you can compete alongside other littlies. Good idea is to start at a one-day or smaller event so you learn the ropes and see how your pony copes. Yes, indoor events give you good practice, too. Good luck - and enjoy! |
Dot Willcoxson
| | Posted on Monday, 28 January, 2008 - 8:57 am: | |
Andy, My daughter drove a single 10.2hh pony. When she first started at 13 yrs, I had to go with her. We found that if the pony was fit, clipped (most important) and fed correctly, then the pony didn't find the marathon difficult. As you know we have some very hot weather here in Australia so clipping was essential.
I drive a pair of Section A Welshies and they are just fantastic. Same principle applies - they are very fit, clipped and fed correctly. We competed at the 2007 Australian championships over a very tough, hilly course and they vetted beautifully.
Of course I don't know what your courses are like in the UK but I would expect them to be similar to ours. I have heard though that your MOs are longer.
Good luck and I would have a go with the smaller pony provided you and your groom (if you have to have one) are not heavy. In Australia under 11.3hh ponies do not have to be driven with a groom. |
Jane Wilson
| | Posted on Tuesday, 22 January, 2008 - 11:17 am: | |
Hi Andy,
Personally, I think 11.2 is a little small for a single pony to do a full marathon of up to 15 - 17K or so, although others who know better may wish to dispute this. However, at club level you could take up the option to do Sec E only on the marathon, if you didn't mind going HC. Have you thought about indoor driving? This is great fun, all done on one day and I think having a small, nippy pony could be a positive advantage. |
Andy Washington
| | Posted on Sunday, 20 January, 2008 - 2:02 pm: | |
hi there look for sum advice we have a 11.2 pony that we like to use for hdt but were told he was to small is this corect ? we are not novices to driving but we are to hdt in help would be gratfull andy |
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