On 2-3 August, 2008 the Australian Sports Pony Registry Inc. will hold it’s annual ‘Victorian Pony Challenge’ at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre. This year several new sections are to be introduced. Saturday will feature a Youngstock Challenge and Material classes; Saturday afternoon and evening will see the popular freestyles to music, the Pony 6 Bar and Sunday will be the official and associate pony dressage.

For the benefit of all pony owners, breeders and trainers, the following is a general explanation of what is required for ‘Sports Pony’ Youngstock and the Material classes as well as the protocol involved for these classes. 

Due to the timing of the youngstock section (2nd August), ponies will enter the Youngstock and Material classes applicable to their date of birth.

(Age as at 1st August will apply to all other classes)

Youngstock will be judged for conformation, in hand and free (liberty) movement.  Conformation is the basis of the pony’s future ability to develop into an athlete who can carry his rider with as much ease as possible. Judges will assess the quality and correctness of head, neck, saddle position, shoulder, frame, back, forehand, hindquarters, angulation and formation of legs and joints. They will also look for any conformation faults which may lead to a predisposition of unsoundness 

Some pony breeds have a different way of moving but will be judged in the same way for potential, regardless of breed or type. Even if a youngster is in that ‘awkward’ stage of growth, and may not be as civilized in his behaviour as a more mature pony, quality youngsters will still be able to show moments of potential.

All ponies for the particular class will enter together and proceed (at the walk) for several circuits of the arena. All ponies will then leave the arena and return individually for judging of conformation, in hand and liberty judging. Ponies will be judged on a triangle for their walk and trot. The triangle provides views of the pony so that the judge can watch for the important characteristics required. When the pony is moving away from the judge, they can see correctness of travel, hind leg straightness, correctly aligned steps and articulation of the joints. The walk must be a clear four beats, regular and rhythmic. The pony should move through the back with the back and tail swinging.

At the trot the judges can also look for engagement and an active start to the trot when moving away. When the pony is coming back toward the judge, they can observe the front legs for correctness in their travelling mode. Purity is first and foremost. Judges want to see suspension, which comes from powerful thrust and engagement and ground covering steps with swing and elasticity.

It is essential that handlers allow the pony to show his quality of gaits and not to inhibit the movements. The pony must move freely beside the handler ensuring that the lead rein is not too tight as this will create tension and crookedness.

For the prospective sport pony, judges are looking for harmonious and correct conformation with the potential for trainability and performance. Handlers must give the youngster every chance to show itself. While weanlings and yearlings may not yet be secure or brave enough to fully express their qualities and perhaps would rather impersonate a flying kite, providing you have spent enough time training them in hand, quality will show through. Handlers should always be aware that the judge is looking for those moments of where a couple of strides here or there will show the potential.

For the free movement (liberty) section, handlers should ensure that the lead can easily and quickly be removed and re-attached to the pony’s halter or bridle. The pony will not be chased or ‘hyped’ up; rather they will be encouraged to trot and canter with a relaxed demeanour to show their natural paces. Training at home is essential. Again, judges will not expect the youngsters to perform foot perfect when at liberty, they will be looking for those few strides here and there that show future potential. The judges will assess the quality and clarity of the trot as well as natural impulsion, engagement and swing through the back. The canter should show three even beats and power from an upward thrust with a natural aptitude for uphill movement. At the completion of the at liberty phase, handlers will catch the pony and leave the arena. It is suggested that you bring a bucket of feed with you to ensure the pony is caught easily.

It should be noted that the free movement (liberty) phase is not compulsory; the choice is up to the exhibitor. However, ponies that do not perform this phase will not receive a score for the canter.

Three year old ponies may enter the suitable for dressage or suitable for jumping classes (or both if desired). If the jumping class is entered, the pony will be required to free jump immediately following the free movement phase. A lead which can be easily attached and removed is essential as the handler will be required to trot the pony through the start of the jumping lane and then let the pony proceed over the jumps by himself. It is vital that the pony is already familiar and comfortable with a jumping lane but has not been over produced or over faced. The pony will be assessed on his willingness to jump, his technique, scope and bascule. The pony will not be judged on how high he can jump, rather on his ability. He will only be required to proceed through the jumping lane 3 to 4 times maximum.

Judges will also score the pony for it’s general impression over all of the above phases. They will take into account the relationship of conformation to movement, athleticism, development related to age and condition, character, presence and the very important temperament required for trainability.

Following the completion of judging for each phase – stewards will display each judges score. Scores will then be averaged for each phase to ascertain placegetters. Ponies will return together to the arena for the awarding of placings. Champion in age group will not be re-judged  -  the winner will be the highest scoring pony in that age group out of males and females.

Youngstock should be presented in a condition relative to their age and development.  The purpose of Youngstock classes is to determine the pony’s performance potential. Ponies do not need to be in ‘show condition’, in fact, this is deemed disadvantageous as potential performance ponies need time to grow and develop.

The emphasis is on function, not fashion!

The ASPR is also introducing Material classes for potential performance ponies for the very first time in Australia  -  three, four and five year old ponies are judged for their suitability as future performance pony stars. They are judged both in hand and under saddle  -  again, correct and sound conformation is the main building block of future rideability. The simple ridden workout is designed to suit young ponies just starting out in their training and under saddle careers and is a precursor to the proposed Young Pony programme that the ASPR plans to introduce in 2009.

Ponies will enter the arena in groups of 2-4 (dependant on entry numbers for each class). They will be asked to walk, trot and canter where their paces will be evaluated.

4 and 5 year olds may be asked to lengthen at the trot and canter. Ponies are then stripped and judged in hand as part of the class and judged for conformation and in hand movement. 

Ponies will then leave the arena and return under saddle at the completion of the class for the awarding of placegetters

Presentation of ponies is entirely up to the individual. Plaiting and clipping are not compulsory. Colts aged 2 years and over MUST be bitted.