Feels like an AIBU

[notquiteruralbliss]

How daft would I be to let my 14yo DD, who is a decent rider but has not ridden much in the past year, take over a 16.2+ fit competition horse?

We already have the horse (she belongs to DD's older sister) and DD would get training from the professional who usually rides her.

If I had been buying a horse for DD I would have gone for less of a sports model but she has tried her and they got on surprisingly well.

Given that you already have the horse, I can't see the harm in trying it. If it doesn't work out, then you would obviously need to have a re think. Why has she not ridden in the last year though?

Hasn't ridden much because she didn't have a horse to ride (lost her pony about a year ago and was having the odd lesson on mine until she got turned away for the winter) and wasn't massively missing it.

She has tried DHorse a couple of times on the flat and enjoyed riding her. They've not jumped yet though. And jumping is DHorse's thing.

Can't see the problem with it , my first horse was a 16.1 ex race mare and that was when I was 13 , as long as your daughter is competent shouldn't be a problem.

If she is enjoying riding the horse on the flat I don't see why she shouldn't continue. And maybe book jumping lessons so that she has the support of the trainer on the ground. If the trainer is around to iron out any problems the two of them may build a partnership sooner than you think.

I say go for it. With an instructor to help, your DD could forge a great relationship. IME it's that that really counts. My first horse was, on paper, far too much for me. But he liked me and didn't really like other people very much so we got on.

Better a 16.2 that you know than a 15.2 that you don't.

Thanks all for the reassurance. DD has had her first jumping lesson with the pro and it went really well. We will be going slowly as DHorse is a big powerfully built mare (she is actually a little over 17h) so a huge step up for DD.

I'd say go for it but feed accordingly if you're not going to compete again for a while..

Thanks all for the encouragement. Two and a bit months in both DD and DHorse seem very happy with the new arrangement. DHorse is still being ridden by (and going out jumping with) the pro but is also doing lots of hacking with DD (she is brilliant to hack) and DD is having flatwork lessons on her (plus the odd jumping lesson).

Sounds perfect. Well done to your DD!