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Have you ever thought about the fundamental—and often amusing—differences between pony riders and horse riders? If you take a closer look, you’ll notice that, beyond just age and height, each group has its own quirky characteristics that highlight how diverse we are as riders—and, more importantly, how much we can learn from one another. Here, the editorial team shares some thoughts on what distinguishes these two types of riders.
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The young rider and their pony are unmistakable. The amount of bright colors and glitter are often all the way up —and the same goes for their pace. Pony riders are fearless! They love to gallop full speed across fields. If they fall off, they’re back in the saddle just as quickly. This also means that a jump can almost never be too high, and a challenge is rarely big enough.
On the dressage arena, however, pony riders may sometimes face headwinds. Just because the pony doesn’t always agree with its rider’s instructions—and because a racing gallop isn’t usually the horse rider’s favorite discipline—the pony rider often has to listen to all sorts of comments. But they are also some of the most affectionate people you’ll find in the stable. They generously dole out hugs, kisses, and treats. They love their pony as their best friend! And they always have a little extra love to give to the other horses in the stable.
The horse rider tends to be a bit more reserved. However, that doesn’t mean the pair is hard to recognize. Seated high on their horse, the horse rider has the best view of what’s happening in the arena—both the good and the bad. To the pony rider, they might seem like a stickler for rules—the type who always insists that you ride inside the hoof track, don’t ride two abreast, and remember to look up. The horse rider’s comments, though, are often rooted in a genuine concern for everyone’s safety. Fortunately, it’s just as common for the horse rider, with their caring nature, to serve as a great role model for the younger riders. They particularly shine when they kindly help the younger girls in the stable to properly position the saddle and tighten the girth.
Each type of rider embodies admirable values that contribute positively to the social environment of a stable: the pony rider’s zest for fun and the horse rider’s well-meaning sense of prudence. Doesn’t it make riding an even better sport when we can occasionally laugh at each other’s mistakes and misunderstandings in the arena? And what would happen if we didn’t have a touch of reason amidst all the fun?
The difference between pony and horse riders highlights what’s special about equestrian sports: diversity. Not only the difference between the horse rider and the pony rider but among riders in general. We have vastly different approaches to interacting with our horses. This, in the best sense, forces us to respect and learn from each other’s differences—and that’s something we can definitely be proud of.
Read also: Has your horse ever changed your mind about something important?
