My cousin, M, has been riding my pony Wildey for a year or two now. Nothing too regular, just every week or two. She also rode two ponies I had for a short time, Bugsy and Buddy. She is a decent rider, I would say intermediate. She lives with her mum, parents divorced. I have been trying to get her to join Pony Club for a year or two, she loves riding, and it would be so good for her. However, her mum always says no. When asked why, she says as M doesn't own the horse, what happens if he gets injured, etc. Silly argument, as he is just as likely to get injured with her riding at the farm than at PC. M's mum, F, rode when she was younger. Apparently the local PC would not let her join. Also another 'issue' that I won't talk about here, after which she quit riding. Not a horses fault. My dad and F have been friends since children, and he asked her why she wouldn't let M join PC, and she simply said I don't have to tell you why, and didn't talk to him for a month or so.
So, M kept asking, and F told her that she could do whaever she wanted after she turned 18. So M kept riding Wildey, and counting down the days till she turned 18 so she could join PC. Well she turned 18 about a month ago. Haven't had any rally days since then so she hasn't attended yet, but is going to join. She has committed herself to be fifth rider for out State MG team this year.
Problem: Now Brooke, (brookelovesparelli on this forum) rides Wildey regularly. She has joined PC, and took Wildey to our camp, etc. We were planning on M using Wildey for MG, as he is a seasoned MG horse, and will be good for M as she is new at MG. But this means that if Brooke wants to be in a MG team, She will have to borrow a horse. It also means for regular rally days, M will have to borrow a horse. We don't ave enough horses.
Solution: Buddy, a brumby I had on free lease about 6 months ago. I did a season of MG on him, and M rode him around the farm. A chance came up to have him ona free lease again. Voila, would be perfect for M. She would have to pay $20pw for agistment with my horses, but that is the only regular cost. We would be willing to help out with cost of farrier, etc. M only has a wage from McDonalds. We asked M, and she thought about it and said yes, I can afford it. So we contacted Alex, the firl who owned Buddy. She is at boarding school, and doesn't want Buddy sitting around doing nothing, she wants him out and about competing. So we pick Buddy up last weekend. Brought M out the next day, surprised her. Didn't ride, just checked him over etc, as the weather was cruddy. M was very happy, excited, etc. I asked if she was happy, reply, yes.
New Problem: M calls dad later that day and says she can't afford the 20pw. Dad thinks it was her mum behind it.
Now we have a horse in our paddocks, dad's boss expecting 20pw for it, the owner at boarding school, and no one to pay for Buddy. AAAARGH!!!!!!
A few ptions... We have talked to Brooke about leasing him, this would mean Buddy would be all hers, whereas Wildey is borrowed by about 3 people. She would just have to pay the 20pw.
Have also got my friend Linda who may try him out as a games pony for a while if Brooke is unable to take him. But if he isn't suitable... We will be stuck with a horse we will have to pay for and I don't have time to ride!
It's so frustrating... M was so happy... But again it is ruined by F. We don't know why. She says she is still planning on joining our PC, but if she doesn't we are down a member for our games team and if we can't find a replacement will not be able to compete. I just wonder if F will let her join PC like she says. And if she can't afford 20pw for Buddy, how can she afford $90 membership, plus competition entry fees, plus buying a uniform?
Argh... Any advice would be greatly appreciated... this may be confusing, lol...
