number of strides

Question
Hi Katie.  I am an adult planning to show a large pony (14.2)in the children's/adult amateur low hunter division at local shows. (generally a non-rated division.)  The classes are open to ponies and horses.  Here is my dilemma: My pony can get horse strides, but I feel like I have to really gallop her to get them, and I am not particularly comfortable doing that.  If I hold her and slow her, I can very nicely get six strides in a line set up as a five.  Assuming the course at the show is set for horse strides,  is it wise to go for the add, or in an effort to be "even" all the way around the course, should I push for the horse strides?  It seems reasonable to do a six in a five line, but if the course has, for example,  a two stride combination, I'd have to really shorten to get three.  My trainer says if I'm going to add, I need to do it all through the course.  What do you suggest?

Answer
Dear Elizabeth,
I have to say that I agree with your trainer in this case. The course you choose to show shold look planned. It would be unwiseto do half and half (part pony strides and part horse strides.)  You simply will need to choose one or the other. You may even have to decide while you are actally at the show and have seen the course ahead of time.
Some courses can go both ways, whereas others (sch as the 2-stride,..etc.) cannot. It is always difficult to show a pony in horse classes, but it is done frequetly.
I however, never owned nor showed a pony, but rather was a horse owner from the age of 6. I am not the strongest in this area unfortunately. However, many friends did show ponies in classes other than pony classes, and I know that judges were always very impressed with horse strides.
I must be honest with you though, judges tend not to be very tolerant of ponies and make no excuses for adding strides, especially in the 'A' shows.
However, in this case it sounds as though this is not a high-ranking show, am I correct?  If so, I wouldn't worry about putting in the extra steps as long as you do so throughout the course.
I wish all the very best of luck to you and your pony!
Let me know how things go!
kathryn