- 2014 RCS #
- 46
- Summary
- Small Pony definitions
- Date Received
- 01Jun13
- Proponent
- Kathi Lindholm
- Change Date
- Next Rulebook
- Status
- Closed for comments – 01Sep13
- Activity
- Initial Posting: 01Jun13
- PDC – not recommended: 31Jul13
Current Wording – Article 29 Divisions Based on the Horse
- The pony classes or divisions may be divided. Suggested size divisions:
- Small pony – not to exceed 12.2 hands (50″ / 127 cm)
- Large pony – over 12.2 hands (50″ / 127 cm), not to exceed 14.2 hands (58″ / 147.32cm).
Suggested Wording – Article 29 Divisions Based on the Horse
- The pony classes or divisions may be divided. Suggested size divisions:
- Small pony – not to exceed 11.3 hands (47.2″ / 127 cm)
- Medium pony – over 11.3 hands, not to exceed 13.1 hands
- Large pony – over 13.1 hands, not to exceed 14.2 hands (58″ / 147.32cm).
Reason for change
In the ADS rules for CDE’s a small pony is not to be larger than 47.2″ or 11.3 hands. In ADS Pleasure Shows a small pony is 50″ or 12.2 hands. These two need to be the same and the small at ADS Pleasure shows needs to be indeed small. From the VSE to 11.3 small pony is enough height difference. Larger shows seem to be allowing larger ponies to 13.2 into the “small” pony division. We needs small to be safe in the own size division. ADS needs to move the smalls to the same size in Pleasure as it is in CDE.
shadowbrook says :
August 4, 2013I agree. If ponies must be combined combine the medium and large ponies.
MikeRider says :
August 5, 2013I disagree with this proposal – as a show manager, I look historically at the heights in the pony divisions and try to make an even split. I think it should be left to the discretion of the management how they split their divisions (in other words, these are only recommendations, not hard and fast mandates). It seems foolish to me to turn away pony entries because you have an excess of small ponies and at the same time might have a shortage of larger ponies.
hoofnit says :
August 6, 2013I also disagree. There is no inherent risk or benefit with this recommendation.
shadowbrook says :
August 11, 2013I agree with this change. But they could still be combined if needed.
Price says :
August 13, 2013Management should be able to determine how to split classes but I agree that small pony should be the same in Pleasure and CDE
love2083 says :
August 13, 2013Agree with Price.
marshasue says :
August 23, 2013When most of the horse show world defines small ponies as 12.2h and under, why should the ADS be the odd fish? Just because CDEs have defined small ponies heights differently does not mean that Pleasure shows should have to follow suit. Pleasure driving shows and CDEs are DIFFERENT and have different rules. I agree that management should have the right to combine small and large (I have never seen a pleasure show that offered classes for ‘medium’ ponies. ) However, as a small pony driver I do not want to see the smallest small ponies competing against 14.2h ponies (my pony is 12h.)
CaroleSweet says :
August 28, 2013I agree with the three designations of ponies. I also think that Pleasure Shows and CDE’s should have same height designations. Too, designations should be made all in centimeters or all in hands (inches)….the two are dissimilar, as shown in APPENDIX GR-1…148cm = 14h 2.2677hh.
RhinehartM says :
August 30, 2013As a driver of a “big” small pony and a “maxi mini” VSE, size doesn’t matter as much as performance. I have had to show my VSE in Small Pony divisions, and have done very well against larger ponies in both arena classes and obstacles. And I have also been beat by smaller ponies shown against my larger one! Leave the divisions up to the management, where they can divide the size by the numbers, not by the yardstick.