Competing a 3 yo?

[annep]

Is it just me .... Or do others agree that it is wrong!! Just interested to hear views as was reading a thread on another forum where an owner was 'complaining' about judges comments (the dreaded R word). Folk responded on judge's comments- but no one said anything about the fact that the horse was only 3! 

[nix]

I was under the impression that horses under four years weren't allowed to compete, even at local shows I'm certain I've seen that on the schedule? My personal opinion is that's way too young for any sort of competition other than in-hand 

[Larri DB]

Ditt Nix, although I've just had a quick whizz through the rules and the only age restriction I can see is not to be competing GP before the age of 7 and variants on that theme for qualifiers and International comps

They do run specific four year old classes and tests.

[catkin]

I thought the rules were horses must be 4 and over for ridden competitions of all sorts (bar flat racing). Certainly our local one-day show has it in the rules, and I would guess that was pretty typical of the one-day circuit.

I wonder whether any confusion has arisen with the January 1st 'birthday' rules?

[maggiesmum]

I have a big issue with competing youngsters, my youngster is 4 this year but I got some horrified comments from a few people last year when in response to their questions about breaking I said I had no intention of getting on her till she was at least 4 and even then it wouldn't be until I was satisfied with her groundwork.
There are far too many young horses out there under the pressure of full time work in an outline (which I'm guessing is forced in some cases) I'm not into young horse jumping classes either. 

[Torsornin]

over here many people compete 2 year olds - hard

[ChrissieW]

I also thought it was 4 year olds for ridden classes in most comps, certainly round here - although as Catkin points out its probably the Jan 1st rule that people use - another thing I've never understood, my filly under that rule would be 4 now, but she's not officially 4 till end June, so in my eyes is still 3 and will be treated as such - ie unbacked at present and no plans to even do that till late Spring.

She's quite happy being a Daisy pone in the field and just doing basic bits of groundwork and walks out now and again.    The changes in her in the last 6 months have been huge, so I'm really pleased I waited.

[issywizz]

I skim read and missed the 3 yr old bit, I expect it will all kick off now 
But they may not be in the UK? as I understand it the UK rules are 4 yrs and above for shows and dressage and you can only gallop the heck out of them younger than that, hmm, no hypocrisy in that one is there?

[Camacoona]

I'm the same Maggiesmum, I always wait until my horses are at least 4 before I back them.  About 14 years ago, I got a 3 year old off the track TB filly who ended up with damaged stiffles as a result of being backed at 18 months old ready for her 2 year old races on the track.

That was enough for me to choose to wait a bit longer.

[ParisDiamond]

Tell that to the racing crowd.

[Cloud_cirrus]

I thought the rules were horses must be 4 and over for ridden competitions of all sorts (bar flat racing).

You can run a potential NH horse in bumpers as a three year old and they would probably already be jumping at home at that age.  Personally as a NH racing person I wouldn't want to work anything until it was 4 although we are in a minority in that respect.

The 1st Jan only applies to TB's and that is the main reason why people breed as near to 1st Jan (but not before) that they can, this is mainly because they aim to sell as yearlings and want the most mature looking horse that they can, they also tend to wean at 6 months which I also don't approve of.

For all other competitions I thought it was no ridden competition before 4 and the date of 1st May was used?