Oversized riders asked to dismount at major show

Royal Three Counties followed Great Yorkshire’s lead with its “suitably mounted” rule

- ELEANOR JONES

TWELVE people too big for the ponies they were riding were asked to dismount at Royal Three Counties (16–18 June) – and a weight limit may be brought in next year.

In the interests of equine welfare, the show applied a rule stating that anyone riding had to be “suitably mounted”.

Show secretary Betsy Branyan told H&H the rule came in after issues last year.

“We saw several larger riders, especially on show ponies, and thought we needed to do something,” she said. “It was getting beyond acceptable.”

The show brought in welfare officer Amanda StoddartWest, livestock and entries co-ordinator of the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS), which brought in a 20% weight limit for all riders, seven years ago.

“We didn’t go as far as the GYS but after this year, I’m seriously considering it,” Ms Branyan said. “There were riders whose stirrups were by ponies’ knees, one was pushing 5ft 9in on a 12.2hh; there was no doubt it looked wrong.”