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| A related argument involves changing distances for ponies' sizes but not for horses. That, IMO, comes from another antiquated notion that kids need the help where adults don't (i.e. you can't have a kid on a 12-hander racing around trying to make the distances of a 14-hander because it isn't good for the kid, etc.) But given the nature of today's adult amateur (AA), the exact same thing WOULD be true of adults--except that the problem is basically solved by there not being any adult divisions other than "large." A lot of AAs ride just as scarily as the little kids, and no one would want to see them making distances the wrong way… …but trainers today don’t have to deal with that problem because it is solved for them when if they simply mount their AAs on nothing but horses who suit the distances. I guess I'm saying that having AAs ride distances suited to their horses, rather than forcing them to ride (and pay a lot more for) horses suited for (16+ hander) distances would be much better for the industry as a whole. Of course, debates about heights, distances and qualifications are all part of the sport's “big picture.” In an ideal world, decisions about such things would reflect the philosophy, mission and vision of the sport and its leadership. Indeed, I argue that a sport’s national governing body should be philosophically, as well as financially, sound. And I wonder if anyone in USEF (The United States Equestrian Federation, the national governing body of equestrian sports) ever addresses the big picture, such as that illustrated by this big, gaping hole? |
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| Shopping for young HUNTER ponies? |
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| Need more information? |
| Write us at Sportponies Unlimited 10565 SE 29th Ave. Ocala, FL 34480 Cell/Tel: 919-634-1697 |
| Click on the photos to see more pictures. |
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| War Prince, circa 1979. This business is dedicated to the memory of "Princie," a pony who did everything asked of him... and so much more. |
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| Ponies For Sale |
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| Proven Theory -- A.k.a. Caleb, is a 5-year-old, 14.1 hand chestnut pony. He is 5/8ths Thoroughbred, 3/16ths Arabian, and 3/16ths British Classic Shetland. Caleb's sire, Theoretical, was a full brother to Theodore O'Connor. Caleb's experiences have mainly been in hunters, alhtough he has also done combined training shows, hunter paces, trail rides and cross country schools. Caleb has flying changes, and the beginnings of lateral work. He has been extensively trail ridden at home, and is calm and confident even in spooky situations. This pony has an extensive show record which can be reviewed, along with online videos, on his owner's webpage. He is stabled near Raleigh, NC, and is owned by Lindsay Cobb. NOTE: I would buy this pony back if I had a place to put him. He has only just started tapping into his full potential. Price: SOLD. Renny's Cliche -- Another elegant, athletic baby out of Renaissance, this sweet 14.1 1/2h, five-year-old mare has an unusual personality and style.. Double line-bred to Theodore, she is 5/8ths Thoroughbred w/ the stride length of a full Thoroughbred. Clee is jumping courses nicely, schooling cross country and gaining an appreciation for dressage. While her trot is very good, her canter is exceptional: balanced, cadenced, light and VERY adjustable (long and low, or shortened and high). This is a pony for a serious competitor who wants to get out there and do stuff, both at home and at shows. Perhaps the best way to describe Clee is that "She Got Game." Now, that doesn't mean she's hot:. I have the brown icon for her because she can start off quite forward (and yet you don't need to pick up the reins at all--just let her do her fast walk until she's gotten it out of her system); she always settles into rock solid and as soft as you ride her to be. I'd love to see this mare go to someone who will keep her life interesting. Call for price. Foxworthy Fools Gold -- Out of Sanalta's Royal Crystal, "Gem is a flashy sabino cremello and was born a "palomino-on-gray." Thus she carries the dilute gene and would make an ideal, color-producing broodmare. A purebred Welsh with halfbred papers, this filly is now a 3-year-old (@12.1h) and, after living with one of her owners and their three young girls, is now residing in Florida and working well under saddle: walk, trot, canter, leads and cross rails. Having been raised by kids, Gem can be a bit of a brat, but she is also as smart as a whip and so will probably learn manners quickly in firm hands (mine or yours ;-) . This filly is also unusually pretty--very, very classic Welsh. We believe she would be very competitive at Welsh shows, but would also make a nice short-stirrup pony or a family pet all-rounder type. She also has some value as a broodmare as she was born a palomino (so she carries a dilute gene) and has four stockings and a blaze (so she is also a sabino). Thus Gem could produce palomino, bucksin or gray and will probably throw a lot f white markings.Price: $5000. Fox Ridge Cadence -- This is one flashy little lady! I'm not sure to whom her breeding will appeal, but she's by Land's End The Colonel's Fox and out of Melody, dam of Theodore O'Connor. All I can say is that she should have a jump and the smarts, but the rest is as much a mystery to me as it probably is to you! She's a friendly, bold, naughty girl, full of bounce and a touch of arrogance. Mom is 13.0h as is Dad, so her she'll undoubtedly end up a medium, but don't be too sure about the 13.0h part. Granddad (the Thoroughbred stallion Honest Turn by Honest Pleasure) was 15.3h. "Cady" is a 2006 model and a video clip of her is available on YouTube (shows her lovely trot). Price: $7500. |
| Check out the special sale going on now at Fox Ridge Farm, home of Land's End The Colonel's Fox. |
| There is a real need for a 14.2+ to 15.2h division for adult riders, equal in availability and prestige as other hunter-jumper divisions One size range (14.2h-15.3h) represents a big, gaping hole in the hunter-jumper industry. This hole artificially inflates prices (and opportunities) throughout the levels of h-j showing. It also has been a huge boon for imports, while thoroughly discouraging American breeds in the American arena--a fact which I find is embarrassing. I dare say the size hole is one of the most illogical (and, IMO, philosophically shameful) circumstances in the horse industry today. Unfortunately, the resulting influence on pricing is to the advantage of trainers (because they can get a LOT more for horses/ponies of the "right" size—do note that without a gaping hole between 14.2+-15.3, there would BE no "right" size). [NOTE: I'm not sure that, as a group, trainers are actually aware of these ramifications, but trainers aren't exactly known for having a broad vision of the industry anyway--not a fault: they have no time to. Please don't read this as yet another condemnation of trainers! They, like all of us, have to make a living, too.] The sad thing is that the size hole is a huge and expensive disadvantage to exhibitors. Harsh as it sounds, the truth is that most of today's A show circuit exhibitors are simply too ignorant of how the industry works (or too tolerant, gullible, placid—you name it) to realize that they are paying a LOT more for their fun just because of that oh-so-artificial "hole" in the market. In other words, if a 5'3" woman didn't HAVE to buy a 16+ hander to be competitive at the top shows, the price of the 16+ hander would go down. But lower prices are not part of the mindset of many trainers. |
| The "Big, Gaping Hole": A Breeder's Call to Action . |
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| Click HERE or on the logo above if you would like to email me your reactions to this commentary. |
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| Just a little place with pretty ponies...Click on the photo below to see pictures of our set-up. |
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| Kunichiwa -- This 2005 gray is a 14.0 1/2h half-Thoroughbred filly out of Christian (full sister to USEF/AHSA National Champion "I Don't Know" and 3/4 sister to eventing phenom "Theodore O'Connor") by the well-established pony hunter sire, 14.0h Smallwood Paris (by J. Hunt out of the Farnley Lustre mare, Cymraeg Raindrop, full sister to the legendary Cymraeg Rainbeau). As "Kuni" matures, she is showing signs of being your classic Welsh-TB looker. She has a decidedly long neck , a big shoulder, deep heartgirth and a mile of leg. Kuni is SUPER-easy to handle and has been lightly backed, but was put back out to pasture afterward since she was so easy! This filly is also a top quality mover, will model and should measure easily. Kuni's theme is, in sum, "EASY"!. As a result, she is fairly priced at: $11,500 firm. |
| Foxworthy Crossley - This 2004 chestnut with chrome is out of Chelsea, dam
of half a dozen A circuit winners, including a National Champion. His sire, Land's End The Colonel Fox, is a US and Canadian National Champion and is from thepopular Carolina's Red Fox line. This very big-bodied, long-fronted pony standing
12.1h currently. He will hack AND model with the best of them and has already carried very young riders safely. Croz is ready to show now as he is not only schooled regularly by a pro, but also has carried a number of tiny tots and more
experienced under-12s, including over fences (and with flying changes).
Professional inquiries are always welcome. Please call for price. |
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| Unnamed 2008 Colt - Unique offering! 2008 colt whose parents have BOTH produced international winners. Out of Melody, dam of Pan Am Gold Medalist and US Reserve National Four-Star Champion (and serious Olympic hopeful) Theodore O'Connor, this colt was sired by Miner's Lamp, whose son, Miner's Frolic has been such a prolific three-star eventer (and Young Horse Champion at 5, reserve champion at 6, plus multiple two-star winner, etc., etc.) that he has been named first alternate for the British Olympic team--without even in having run a four-star! This colt seems to be quite sweet and friendly (unusual for Melody-the-bitch's babies until they are weaned). His birth was super-easy (look how great the mare looks in the pictures on her webpage--that's taken two days after she foaled!) and he is an active, energetic, curious baby already, racing around the pasture at top speed. There's no telling what they'll end up doing in life, but this colt is one interesting package of potential. If you're interesting in an intriguing roll of the dice--one whose valeue cold skyrocket if both brothers actually end up in Hong Kong this fall, may I suggest you just go for it with this one? Price: $9500 firm. |