Answer

By Your Horse

More adults are riding ponies than ever and there are lots of ways you can get involved in competing.

In show jumping, adults can ride ponies in 14.2hh and under classes, as there’s usually no upper age limit. Under BSJA affiliated rules, it states that ponies can be registered for senior classes, but be aware that the height of fences and distance between them will be set for horses.

British Eventing isn’t very lenient when it comes to adults riding ponies - you can only compete a pony in Intro and Pre-novice classes and only on a day ticket. Also you will not be allowed to compete if the stewards deem you to be too big or heavy for your pony.  Unaffiliated cross-country classes are usually open to any age of rider in the 14.2hh and under classes.

British Dressage has no rules regarding the height of ponies and age of riders, although it does state that due to the pony’s welfare the rider’s weight should be sensible for the size of pony.

Trec takes a positive view of adults competing on ponies and actively encourage it. Mounted games are probably the only competitions that require you to have a pony as it’s against the rules to ride anything bigger than 14.2hh. There’s no age limit for competing.