Riding Ponies Breed Standards
Show Pony Standard of Excellence
HOME BREED STANDARD SHOW PONY STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
General Character: That of a miniature ladies hack with pony character displaying elegance, refinement, full of quality and presence. Coat fine in texture, mane and tail hair fine, straight and silky, with limbs devoid of any feathering or coarseness. Animal free from any hereditary defects or unsoundness.
Colour: Straight colour preferred.
Height: Not to exceed 14.2 hands.
Head: Well set, attractive head, in proportion to body, not overly-large, with a flat forehead, tapering to a fine muzzle with large open nostril. Jawbone clean and finely cut, free from coarseness and open under the throat joining the neck with a free flowing curve.
Eyes intelligent, bold and preferred dark in colour, large and set well to the sides of the head.
Ears in proportion, well-shaped and carried alertly.
Neck: Plenty of length, graceful, supple and well carried with no sign of coarseness flowing in a convex upward curve.
Definitely not ewe necked or over-crested.
Slight cresting may be expected in stallions but over-cresting is objectionable in both sexes.
The head is well set on the neck with a natural turn at the poll, giving the appearance of reach and scope to enhance the whole front of the pony.
Shoulders: Flat, sloping shoulder with a good, prominent riding wither. Not over muscular.
Forelegs: Set square and true and not too wide apart nor too close. Hard, flat, refined bone. They must not be over, back or off-set in the knees. Pasterns should be the correct length angled approximately 45 deg. Good open shape to the foot.
Back and Loins: Short and well coupled with enough scope to carry a saddle. Wide, flat backs to be avoided.
Girth: Deep.
Ribs: Well sprung with plenty of heart room.
Hind Quarters: Lengthy, deep and rounded giving an overall impression of correctness and great impulsion.
Tail well set on with hind leg put on correctly from the loin, giving a strong second thigh and a good strong, clean hock.
Movement: Stride true, straight and floating, covering a lot of ground with effortless ease, movement originating from
behind, tracking up with well flexed hocks.
The characteristic floating, extravagant forehand movement is from the shoulder.
High knee action is most undesirable.
It is expected that all Riding Ponies exhibit free forward movement and straightness of action.
Note: The Riding Pony is a ridden pony of quality and elegance and when shown must always be plaited.
(updated September 2016)
Show Hunter Pony Standard of Excellence
HOME BREED STANDARD SHOW HUNTER PONY STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
General Character: The Show Hunter is a quality type with substance, bone and movement that is sound in wind and limb and has the constitution to carry its rider on a day’s hunting across various terrains.
The Show Hunter should demonstrate a reliable temperament and the ability to provide a smooth, even ride. The Show Hunter must be free from any hereditary defects or unsoundness. The Show Hunter does not have to prove that it can jump however the ridden workout should include a gallop. The transitions through the paces should be very responsive and effortless.
Colour: Straight colour preferred.
Height: Not to exceed 14.2hh.
Head: A good, honest head in proportion to the body, with a flat forehead. Tapering muzzle with large open nostrils. Jawbone clean, open under the throat joining the neck with a flowing curve. Eyes, large, bold and preferably dark in colour set well to the sides of the head. Ears well shaped and in proportion, carried alertly.
Neck: A good length, supple and well carried and set on well from the shoulder.
The head set with a natural turn at the poll.
Shoulder: Flat, sloping with a prominent riding wither providing a good length of rein.
Forelegs: Set square and true not too wide apart or too close together. Hard flat bone with substance. Short well defined cannons to support the body with sufficient forearm for the height of the animal. Feet well shaped and sound.
Back and Loins: Short and well coupled with enough scope to carry a saddle.
Girth: Deep with plenty of heart room.
Ribs: Well sprung.
Hind Quarters: Lengthy, deep and rounded with the tail well set on.
Hindquarters giving an impression of strength and correctness with great impulsion and a strong second thigh sufficient for the height of the animal. Good strong, clean hocks.
Movement: The Show Hunter must cover the ground effortlessly in all paces, with a well-balanced gallop, hind legs tracking well under, front legs moving from the shoulder with an obvious lengthening of stride. It would be expected that the Show Hunter Pony would exhibit more knee action than a Show Pony.
A flat, stilted action is unacceptable in a Show Hunter Pony.
Note: Show Hunter Ponies are presented plaited with browbands of plain or plaited leather.
(updated September 2016)
