ASPR leads the way for performance ponies here in Australia..  On the 1st January, 2004, the Australian Sports Pony Registry Inc. (ASPR) was launched with the first assessment tour being held in February/March. Assessment tours are held on an annual basis with ponies being inspected and scored to an international standard by European assessors well versed in the attributes required for ponies in such a registry.

who can do pony dressage?  if you have a pony or small galloway 148cm and under, your on your way. There is no age limits as per the riders or bred restrictions. We do however recommend joining the ASPR for the main purpose of belonging to a group of like minded people that are all focused on the promotion and growth of the Dressage pony here in Australia.

 

events The APSB and APOB groups have been holding dressage events for sometime with the AOPB focusing on running The Pony Dressage Championships event yearly, open to all ponies and riders, registered or not! as long as your equine meets the height requirements you are welcome. The ASPR runs their Challenge Championships  event focusing on dressage and also showjumping ponies, again open to all, you don't have to be EFA registered or a member of the ASPR. These two events run by the ASPR & the APOB have grown to be the biggest gathering of ponies here in Victoria, with entries echoing the growth of dressage ponies here in Australia.

Australian pony breeders have bred many impressive ponies over the years with careful selection of breeding stock, importation of notable bloodlines and the show ring plays no small part in this. Many of our top pony breeds are represented already in the ASPR Stud Book, ranging from Australian Ponies, Welsh and Part Welsh, Cobs, Riding ponies, New Forest and crosses, Arabian derivatives and the list goes on. The assessors have been extremely impressed with the quality of ponies presented to date, particularly our pony mares. They have commented that Australia has the ideal foundation on which to build the Australian Sports Pony of the future.

While there is no specific ‘type’ for an Australian Sports Pony at this early stage, the most essential elements are ponies with excellent temperaments and a relaxed and trainable demeanour with good rhythm and swing in their movement. The ‘prettiness’ usually seen in show ring is not a factor in assessment, but ponies must still be of sound and correct conformation. The pony should be of an elegant type without sacrificing movement over looks. Sport Ponies are designed for both adults and children to ride hence the importance of a tractable temperament. The pony should be of an athletic type with good suspension, impulsion and elasticity in all paces. ‘Daisy cutter’ movement is not highly desirable but does not preclude the registration of the pony because at this early stage, many breeds and types will play their part in the development of the Australian Sport Pony.

There are no restrictions on colour or breeding within the ASPR, only the height maximum of 148cms. As the ASPR is still a new concept in Australia and, considering the exceptional bloodlines of performance horses that already exist here, the ASPR has a special appendix for overheight mares and stallions. These horses are usually not quite tall enough to make some of the warmblood or sporthorse registries but are ideal for inclusion in the sports pony breeding program. These horses may also be presented for grading on the annual assessment tour.

The ASPR also maintains a very comprehensive web site [click here] where you can also download booking information, application forms and competition schedules.