Question: I am looking for a trained short-stirrup horse for my daughter to compete. Could I feasibly get a horse that could go on after short-stirrup to show in other divisions so I would not need to purchase another horse later on? Lois, Oakbrook, IL

Answer:

Sometimes a good short-stirrup mount is hard to find. After all you need something that is extremely safe, solid, and steady, and preferably extremely proficient at horse showing because they are teaching these young riders the ropes.

In my experience, a short-stirrup campaigner is usually different than other horses with regards to athletic ability and rideability. Typically a short-stirrup "professional" is either an aged pony or horse that knows it's job, and does it easily and well. A horse that competes in other divisions such as pre-green, green or even children's hunters tends to have a lot more flair, style, scope, appeal and, overall jumping quality which could be rather intimidating and possibly dangerous to a green rider. Sometimes you can find a horse that does short/long stirrup than can also do beginner hunters and possibly even novice children's and/or novice adult–which is not a lateral move but just one or two steps up from the short/long stirrup hunters and equitation–but it does take some searching. These horse's have incredible teaching value and are not easily "given up" but rather transferred or handed down within a barn. However, if you do find one that is sound and safe there is a good chance that once your daughter is ready to move on to something more advanced that you too will also be able to find your short-stirrup horse a good home with a young rider eager to learn.