What is a Riding Pony?
By Melanie McGuire-Muller

Most horse & pony breeds have evolved by natural selection rather than design. Even the thoroughbred was developed by selecting speed horses and mating these with other speed horses, rather than having an end result in mind.

The Riding Pony is one of the few examples of a planned exercise to breed a ‘type’ for a particular purpose. It cannot be considered in genetic terms a breed but rather a refined type.

It combines certain characteristics of known breeds and certain identified bloodlines which have demonstrated prepotent ability to breed on some of these combined characteristics.

In other words the Riding Pony is essentially a fixed cross or composite of several breeds. The end result aimed for is an animal which can go out into the show ring and exhibit all the characteristics in type, movement and temperament that defines a SHOW PONY.

Over nearly 100 years now the recognition of the bloodlines which can best contribute to this end result have been recognized, recorded and concentrated, first in Britain and for the last 25 years or so in Australia.

One of the most important things about a composite type is that it can continually evolve new bloodlines and new influence and consequently the breeding of riding Ponies is a continuing process and the ‘type’ may always be improved. So the Riding Pony is a combination of various pony breeds with Thoroughbred and Arabian, bred to produce the ultimate pony to perform in show ring classes.

(From: The Riding Pony Stud Book Society Reference Brochure – Australia)

General Character:

That of a minature ‘ladies show hack’ with pony character. Elegance, refinement, full of quality and presence. Coat fine in texture, mane and tail fine, straight and silky, with limbs devoid of any feathering or coarseness. Animal free from any hereditary defects or unsoundness.

Colour: Straight Colour

Height: Not to exceed 14.2 Hands

Head: In proportion to body, not over large, preferably slightly dished with flat forehead. Tapering to a fine muzzle with large open nostril. Jawbone clean and finely cut, free from coarseness and open under the throat which should join the neck with a free flowing curve. Eyes intelligent, bold and dark in colour, large and set well to the sides of the head. Ears in proportion, well shaped and always carried alertly. Large thick ears objectionable.

Neck: Extremely lengthy, graceful, supple and well carried with no sign of coarseness flowing in a convex upward curve. Definitely not ewe necked or over crested. Slight cresting may be expected in stallions but over cresting is objectionable in both sexes. The head is set on the nech with a natural turn at the poll, giving the appearance of reach and scope to enhance the whole front of the pony.

Shoulders: Long and sloping well back to a definite wither. Not over muscular.

Forelegs: Set square and true and not too wide apart nor too close. Hard flat refined bone. They must not be over, back or offset in the knees. Pasterns inclined to be lengthy with a definite slope. Feet well shaped.

Back and Loins: Short and well coupled. Wide flat backs to be avoided.

Girth: Deep.

Ribs: Well sprung.

Hind Quarters: Lengthy, deep and rounded. Not cobby, ragged or goose-rumped. Tail well set on and carried straight, not jammed nor too gaily carried. Hind quarters giving an overall impression of correctness and great impulsion.

Movement: Stride long, straight and light, covering a lot of ground. Movement originating in hindquarters with well flexed hocks. The forehand moving straight from the shoulder, low to the ground with extravagance. High knee action is most undesirable.

Note: The Riding Pony is a ridden pony of quality and elegance and when shown must always be plaited.

About the Author: Melanie McGuire-Muller of Ascot Stud

Ascot Stud and Show Stables are run by Kerry Muller and Melanie McGuire-Muller and is located in the Macedon Ranges district on a small 40 acre farm in Sunbury, Victoria, Australia. It is the home of senior stallion “Gaylord Of Ascot” and future sire “Ascot Classic Silk” who has just reached 2 years old. Ascot Stud has been established for 20 years and runs a small group of select mares headed up by the foundation mare Downland Solitaire (IMP U.K). The main emphasis at the stud is breeding ponies in small numbers of the highest quality from world renowned bloodlines. We produce a distinct “look and elegant type” of pony which is able to carry a saddle. The ponies bred at the stud are also suitable mounts for children to ride in competition. Breeding stock ranges from 12.2 to 14.2 in height. The stud has professionally and consistently produced, bred and exhibited it’s own Riding Ponies at Royal Show, State and National level for many wins and Championships in hand and under saddle over the years in Australia. The aim at Ascot Stud has always been to breed a very distinctive look about the ponies we breed and show. The main purpose of the breeding program is to produce ponies that will excel both in hand and under saddle. Temperament in our ponies is also important which is why we maintain the Welsh Section B blood throughout. We will remain very much a hands on stud by keeping numbers small and select and continue to be very passionate and committed to breeding Riding Ponies for the long term. We continue a policy of offering our very best stock to the market and will continue to do so in the future. Enquires and visitors to the stud are also most welcome.

Hometown: Sunbury, Victoria, Australia Phone or Fax: (613) 9744 5503 Web Page: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ascotstud Email Address: ascotstud@ozemail.com.au