Post by the showing register on Mar 22, 2016 11:28:02 GMT
TSR Showing Debate - Exmoor Pony Society Response
TSR hosted the showing debate on 21st Feb and any opinions expressed on the day by the panel or audience were their own views and not a reflection of any opinions TSR may hold
This is the response from the Exmoor Pony Society to the Showing Debate report about the unfounded assumptions concerning the native rare breed Exmoor Pony with regard to its suitability to be shown as a lead rein or first ridden, go in a snaffle and be ridden by an adult or child.
The Exmoor Pony is probably the only breed left in the UK now where approximately 25% of the breed population still live wild and free on the moors and commons of Exmoor and other wild rough areas, acting as they have always done as conservation grazers and shapers of the landscape.
This genetic pool of true hardiness in equines is easily overlooked especially within the realms of showing, especially at the pinnacles of the showing world - the Championship shows and Horse of the Year show.
The Exmoor has a preferred height range of 116.8cm to 129.5cm giving plenty of scope to accommodate the most petite jockey in lead rein on a smaller quality type up to a grown adult on a full up 129.5cm sturdy well boned, broad backed deep chested pony. All these types are encompassed within the breed standard.
The suitability of an Exmoor to be ridden in a snaffle has apparently had a long standing historic misconception that as the ponies are broad set and strong in type that they must also be strong in the hand of a rider and that a snaffle was not a suitable bit for a pony of such a type.
At HOYS in 2015 the two Exmoor ponies who qualified in the M&M working hunter classes 122cm and 133cm were both jumped in snaffle bridles, one ridden by a child the other by an adult.
At the Royal International in 2015 the breed saw its first pony qualified as a lead rein. The Exmoor was a 4 year old shown in a snaffle and at home was ridden by a 3 year old child who learnt to ride on her. This little mare was very true to type and well able to prove her suitability as a 'first pony' with correct straight smooth action, without exaggeration enabling the smallest child to develop a natural seat.
These ponies are also well suited to the older child and suitably sized adult, with the larger Exmoor's capable of carrying up to 11 stone - they were historically farmers mounts used to gather and check stock on the moors.
There are few other breeds remaining where foals are inspected for correctness and therefore suitability to ridden work in the future, ie free motion with no tendency to sweep or turn legs and that the limb is set squarely below the shoulder or hip with no tie or weakness.
The Exmoor Pony Society is working closely with showing organisations to provide judge training and runs its own probationary scheme and young judges competition. The Society supports numerous initiatives for the education and enjoyment of the ponies with an Exmoor Pony Festival week in August which encompasses herd and stud visits, the breed show and other educational activities for those wishing to discover more about this ancient breed.
The Exmoor Pony Society
Guardians of the Breed since 1921
Registered Charity No. 1043036
HELP US TO CONTINUE OUR WORK TO CONSERVE THE REGISTERED EXMOOR PONY – ONE OF BRITAIN’S RARE NATIVE BREEDS
TEXT EPSC21 10 TO 70070 to donate now – THANK YOU
Registered Office:
Woodmans, Brithem Bottom
Cullompton, Devon EX15 1NB
Tel: 0845 607 5350 / 01884 839930
Office Hours: 9am-3pm (Mon-Fri)
For urgent enquiries call 07887 984849
Website: www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheExmoorPonySociety
TSR hosted the showing debate on 21st Feb and any opinions expressed on the day by the panel or audience were their own views and not a reflection of any opinions TSR may hold
This is the response from the Exmoor Pony Society to the Showing Debate report about the unfounded assumptions concerning the native rare breed Exmoor Pony with regard to its suitability to be shown as a lead rein or first ridden, go in a snaffle and be ridden by an adult or child.
The Exmoor Pony is probably the only breed left in the UK now where approximately 25% of the breed population still live wild and free on the moors and commons of Exmoor and other wild rough areas, acting as they have always done as conservation grazers and shapers of the landscape.
This genetic pool of true hardiness in equines is easily overlooked especially within the realms of showing, especially at the pinnacles of the showing world - the Championship shows and Horse of the Year show.
The Exmoor has a preferred height range of 116.8cm to 129.5cm giving plenty of scope to accommodate the most petite jockey in lead rein on a smaller quality type up to a grown adult on a full up 129.5cm sturdy well boned, broad backed deep chested pony. All these types are encompassed within the breed standard.
The suitability of an Exmoor to be ridden in a snaffle has apparently had a long standing historic misconception that as the ponies are broad set and strong in type that they must also be strong in the hand of a rider and that a snaffle was not a suitable bit for a pony of such a type.
At HOYS in 2015 the two Exmoor ponies who qualified in the M&M working hunter classes 122cm and 133cm were both jumped in snaffle bridles, one ridden by a child the other by an adult.
At the Royal International in 2015 the breed saw its first pony qualified as a lead rein. The Exmoor was a 4 year old shown in a snaffle and at home was ridden by a 3 year old child who learnt to ride on her. This little mare was very true to type and well able to prove her suitability as a 'first pony' with correct straight smooth action, without exaggeration enabling the smallest child to develop a natural seat.
These ponies are also well suited to the older child and suitably sized adult, with the larger Exmoor's capable of carrying up to 11 stone - they were historically farmers mounts used to gather and check stock on the moors.
There are few other breeds remaining where foals are inspected for correctness and therefore suitability to ridden work in the future, ie free motion with no tendency to sweep or turn legs and that the limb is set squarely below the shoulder or hip with no tie or weakness.
The Exmoor Pony Society is working closely with showing organisations to provide judge training and runs its own probationary scheme and young judges competition. The Society supports numerous initiatives for the education and enjoyment of the ponies with an Exmoor Pony Festival week in August which encompasses herd and stud visits, the breed show and other educational activities for those wishing to discover more about this ancient breed.
The Exmoor Pony Society
Guardians of the Breed since 1921
Registered Charity No. 1043036
HELP US TO CONTINUE OUR WORK TO CONSERVE THE REGISTERED EXMOOR PONY – ONE OF BRITAIN’S RARE NATIVE BREEDS
TEXT EPSC21 10 TO 70070 to donate now – THANK YOU
Registered Office:
Woodmans, Brithem Bottom
Cullompton, Devon EX15 1NB
Tel: 0845 607 5350 / 01884 839930
Office Hours: 9am-3pm (Mon-Fri)
For urgent enquiries call 07887 984849
Website: www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheExmoorPonySociety