My Diverse Denver Diaries: Horses for Courses

There are a few things that are VERY different in reference to the Horse World from the UK to the US.

One of the things is disciplines of course. Especially with kids. In the UK we have 'The Pony Club'. Most equestrian kids go through pony club with their little 12hh ponies and learn everything from tacking up, to bandaging, tack cleaning and handling. During camps they might try jumping, dressage, lunging, driving and all sorts of games. Its crazy, muddy and fun and the kids really learn about horses. Here, in the US, where Hunter Jumpers seems to be the thing its a little different. Kids tend to get serious faster and go to bigger horses much, much more quickly. Many of them never learn the things you can learn in pony club and spend lots of time jumping some serious jumps but not necessarily having the understanding and education that the UK kids do. Of course there are exceptions to the rule and I have met some real pony brats in the UK, just as there are some seriously hard working kids (& teens) over here.

The other big thing I have noticed is that the horses here are huge. The hunter jumpers are looking for some pretty big warmbloods. I saw an advert the other day for a 16.2 mare for sale as she was 'sadly outgrown' by her 17 year old rider- errrrr, No. In England I remember learning that the market for horses between 15hh and 16hh was booming, as soon as a decent horse within this section hit the market the calls started to flow. Here it is pretty hard to shift them that size, at least for the English riding market, so the smaller TBs and Warmbloods tend to hang around or go for much less. I wish I could show everyone the incredible eventers and show jumpers out in England who are under 16hh and simply rock.

So here's to all the little horses- some of us adore ya!