PONIES: THEIR CATEGORIES

PONIES: THEIR CATEGORIES. In this article we will discuss the ponies and the different categories that exist depending on their height, since depending on the size of our ponies we can carry out certain tests or others.

The first thing we need to know is that any horse under 1.48 m unshod and under 1.49 m shod at the withers is considered a pony. It is true that, generally speaking, ponies tend to have a sturdier appearance than horses, also depending on height and origin. In order to compete in the pony category, it must be certified by the RFHE – FEI the official height of the pony.

Once we know this, regardless of the discipline, ponies are divided into different categories according to height, which are:

• Poni A: Any animal measuring less than 1.10 m in height or less than 1.11 m with horseshoes. An example of a breed that falls into this category is the Shetland.
• Pony B: A pony in this category must have a height of between 1.10 m and 1.30 m at the shoulder, with a maximum of 1.31 m if shod. An example of a breed in this category is the Welsh.
• Pony C: Pony between 1.30 m and 1.40 m in height falls into this category, with a horseshoe height of 1.41 m. An example of a variety in this category is the New Forest.
• Pony D: This category includes animals from 1.40m up to 1.48m, and up to 1.49m with shoes. An example of a breed that could fit into this category is the Connemara.

To measure a pony and understand its height and class, it is recommended to do so after the animal has completed skeletal development (around 5 years of age). Let's remember that in jumping, the categories are divided into twoA1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 and D2.

Currently, competitions dedicated to ponies are held in Spain, such as the Spanish Championship or the Northern League of Spain, in which various clubs participate, highlighting the Miraflores Equestrian Centre o La Moraleja Equestrian Centre, as the national breeding ground for ponies.

We recommend the following publications:

• The female role in equestrian sport.
• The origin of the equestrian world and legal disputes.
• Rocío Lázaro and Laura Díez Collado talk to us about horse insurance.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://mundoequestre.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1633006555645.jpg[/author_image] [author_info] Article written by Cristina Prado Benéitez.  Legal Adviser at Sagasta 21 Abogados. She is also a contributing writer for various websites and magazines, specialising in gaming, eSports and equestrian sports. Furthermore, she is the co-founder of the blog Odbrana Legal (https://odbranalegal.com/), and an ambassador and lecturer at ISDE, Thomson Reuters and Universidad Tech. Contact: +34651335416 – cpradobeneitez@gmail.com[/author_info] [/author]