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The Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A)Height Up to 12 hh. Colour Any colour except piebald and skewbald. Build Body should be compact, with good depth and well sprung ribs. The back and loins should be strong and well coupled. Shoulders should be long and sloping wth neck well set. Head should be small but broad accross the forehead, dished and tapering towards the muzzle. Ears neat and small with eyes bright and bold. Legs should be set square, short in the cannons with plenty of dense flat bone. Hooves should be well shaped and dense. Movement Straight, quick and free from the shoulder; with knees and hocks well flexed. Trimming rules for showing Manes and tails must not be plaited, with the exception of a single plait behind the ear. Working ponies may be body clipped only. History The Welsh Mountain Pony is native to the hills, valleys and mountains of Wales. The sparse vegetation and shelter of ther natural habitat produced a tough and hardy pony. When the Romans first occupied Britain, they brought with them horses of Arabian blood. There is evidence that they may have used Welsh Mountain ponies to pull their chariots, being sought for use in the Roman Arena. When they left Britain in the fifth century, many of their horses were left behind, being turned loose or sold to locals. This resulted in the first introduction of Arab blood. It is said that Julius Caesar founded a stud for the ponies on the shores of Lake Bala. Later in the middle ages, the Arabian ponies brought back by the Welsh crusader knights reinforced that first Arabian influence. These traces are clearly present in the Welsh Pony today, especially so in their beautiful dished faces and delicate muzzle. Welsh Ponies, once caught and tamed from their natural habitat, were used for a variety of duties. Their smalll size saw them commonly used as pit ponies; domestic chores would have been general transportation, their temprament made them popular driving ponies. In 1901, local land owners and farmers recognised the importance of keepng pedigree records; they founded the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. One year later, the first stud book was published. Today, it is currently its 80th volume. In 1931, the maximum height limit for Section As was fixed at 12hh; ponies above this height were less were best able to survive in the hills. Welsh Mountain ponies have a strong influence in the breeding of several other types of pony. Their prized qualities have seen them influence the breeding of the early Thoroughbred, Hackney, Hunter and British Riding pony. It is said that Edward VII favoured and encouraged the use of Welsh Ponies for breeding polo ponies. Welsh ponies of today are considered ideal childs ponies; able to excel at many spheres with a competitive jockey. Many regard the Welsh Pony as ideal for private driving classes. The Welsh pony has gained such worldwide popularity that breed socities have been established in over 12 overseas countries. Breed Society http://www.wpcs.uk.com/ Did you know? The Rare Breeds Survival Trust currently recognises the Welsh Mountain pony as 'Vulnerable'. Welsh Mountain pony, Cwmbachstel Dion, qualified for Horse of the Year Show a record 12 times. He competed in the finals of both the first ridden, open ridden and working hunter pony championships. The current Patron of the Welsh Pony & cob Society is Her Majesty The Queen. Famous British Riding Pony sire, Bwlch Valentino's grand dam on both his sire and dams side were registered Welsh Mountain ponies. Influential stallion, Dyoll Starlight, is credited with introducing the grey colour into Welsh ponies. Time line 1901 - Welsh Pony & Cob Society founded. 1949 - Separate sections of the stud book introduced. 1950 - Welsh Partbred Register was approved. 1979 - Canadian welsh Pony & Cob Society formed. |
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