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  The British Riding Pony

Height Sections
British Riding ponies are divided into five sections. Lead rein ponies are not to exceed 12.0hh.
Lead rein ponies should have impeccable manners and a quiet, calm temperament; being suitable to carry a rider of three to seven years on the lead rein. Ponies must be shown in a plain snaffle bridle with the lead rein attached to the back of the noseband.

Next, the First ridden ponies. First ridden ponies must not exceed 12.0hh.
They should have impeccable manners and temperament; suitable to carry a young rider aged to ten years off the lead rein. First ridden ponies must be shown in a plain snaffle bridle.
Certain shows hold a first year first ridden class for riders up to 8 years old; this class is designed for novice riders who are competing their first season off the lead rein.

Open ridden show ponies are divided into three height sections; ponies not exceeding 12.2.hh for riders up to 13 years old, ponies above 12.2.hh but not exceeding 13.2.hh for riders up to fifteen years old, and finally, ponies above 13.2.hh but not exceeding 14.2.hh, for riders up to seventeen years old.

In these classes for older children, the show ponies should be more forward going than the lead reins and first riddens, yet still maintain impeccable manners and temperament.
These ponies must have free ground covering paces, they will be expected to gallop in individual shows.

Colour
Show Ponies may be any colour.

Build
Ponies should have good depth of body, with ample heart room; well sprung ribs, and a prominent, well defined wither. A good depth of loin for carrying a saddle is essential. Quarters should be of sufficient length with well set on tail. Shoulders should be flat and sloping. Neck should have good length of rein and be well set on the shoulder. Head should be elegant and attractive with bold, bright eyes. Legs should have sufficient bone to support the body, with cannons short, and good clean limbs.

Movement
Should be straight, effortlessly ground covering, and elegant.

Trimming rules for showing
Jawline and outer ears may be trimmed and tidied. Ponies should be shown with manes plaited and tails may be trimmed or plaited. Brushed coat patterns may be applied to the quarters.

History
The British Riding pony has been selectively bred, to produce the ideal childs riding pony; combined with a grace and beauty as the ultimate show pony. The creation of this type began over 100 years ago, early breeding programmes involved crossing native pony breeds with Arabs and Thoroughbreds. Most notably, Welsh Mountain Ponies had a very strong influence, they can be found among the bloodlines of many famous show ponies. The breeding of childrens riding ponies has flourished since the NPS introduced childs pony showing classes in the early 1900s.

The British Show Pony Society was founded 1949, this did much for the post war revival of Riding Pony breeding and showing. Their principal aims were to promote the showing of the Childrens Riding Pony; by holding classes and competitions for Childrens Show Ponies, Show Hunter Ponies and Working Hunter Ponies.

Breed Society
British Show Pony Society
http://www.britishshowponysociety.co.uk/index.html

British Riding Pony Society of Australia
http://www.rpsbs.com.au

Did you know?
Bwlch Valentino can be credited with being the most influential sire in riding pony breeding.
Many famous Riding Ponies are decendants; Qakley Bubbling Spring, Pollyanna, Holly of Spring, Groundhills Amazing Grace and Sandbourne Royal Ensign.

Chestnut Riding Pony Stallion, Sandbourne Royal Ensign, has sired a record four Wembley Show Pony Champions including, Bradmore Catkin, Sandbourne Royal Emblem, Drayton Penny Royal, and Glenmoss Juliet.

European dressage champion, Dornik B, and gold medal eventing pony, Desperado; their bloodlines can be tracked back to the British Riding ponies, Catherston Red Gold and Bwlch Valentino.

Time line
1949 - British Show Pony Society founded.
1969 - Poney Français de Selle founded (French Show Pony Society).
1980 - British Riding Pony Society of Australia founded.

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