Australian Riding Pony
Encyclopedia
The Australian Riding Pony is a breed of pony
developed in Australia
since the 1970s. It has been greatly influenced by the British Riding Pony, the Thoroughbred
and Arabian bloodlines.
s, developed from English Riding Pony
bloodlines. They range in height from 12.2 hands to 14.2 hands, in contrast to the Australian Pony
breed, which does not exceed 14th. Australian Riding Ponies have a free-flowing, lower action than many of the older pony breeds. Australian Riding Ponies are of one of the solid colors, with small heads and ears.
ed foundation sires which contributed to the establishment of the Australian Riding Pony were:
The Australian Riding Pony Stud Book Society was formed in about 1980 in the wake of interest aroused in the Riding Ponies that were shown in several Royal Shows. A foundation section was formed which required at least three crosses of animals from approved breeds before a pony could be entered in Section A. Originally there were four sections, but with the foundation firmly established some have been finished. Nowadays most of the major British and New Zealand bloodlines are represented in the Australian Riding Ponies. The use of artificial insemination
has permitted even more bloodlines.
, show jumping
, combined driving
, gymkhana
, mounted games, and horse show
s.
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
developed in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
since the 1970s. It has been greatly influenced by the British Riding Pony, the Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
and Arabian bloodlines.
Characteristics
These ponies are small copies of elegant show hackShow hack
The show hack is a type of ridden show horse, exhibited to a standard first established in England.Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the United Kingdom is overseen by the British Show Horse Association....
s, developed from English Riding Pony
Riding Pony
The Riding Pony was developed in the United Kingdom, and are now bred all over the world. The term is used to refer to as show ponies, divided into classes based on height and type, hunter classes, side-saddle and in hand classes...
bloodlines. They range in height from 12.2 hands to 14.2 hands, in contrast to the Australian Pony
Australian Pony
The Australian Pony is a breed of pony that developed in Australia. It was greatly influenced by the native British breeds, especially the Welsh Pony, as well as some Arabian bloodlines.-Characteristics:...
breed, which does not exceed 14th. Australian Riding Ponies have a free-flowing, lower action than many of the older pony breeds. Australian Riding Ponies are of one of the solid colors, with small heads and ears.
Breed history
Equids are not native to Australia. The importImport
The term import is derived from the conceptual meaning as to bring in the goods and services into the port of a country. The buyer of such goods and services is referred to an "importer" who is based in the country of import whereas the overseas based seller is referred to as an "exporter". Thus...
ed foundation sires which contributed to the establishment of the Australian Riding Pony were:
- Aristocrat of Flawforth, imported in 1973, who was out of the ThoroughbredThoroughbredThe Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
/WelshWelsh PonyThe Welsh Pony and Cob are closely related horse breeds including both pony and cob types, which originated in Wales in the United Kingdom...
mare Chirk Catmint. - Treharne Talisman a son of Bwlch Valentino
- The Laird, imported to South AustraliaSouth AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, also a son of Bwlch Valentino.
The Australian Riding Pony Stud Book Society was formed in about 1980 in the wake of interest aroused in the Riding Ponies that were shown in several Royal Shows. A foundation section was formed which required at least three crosses of animals from approved breeds before a pony could be entered in Section A. Originally there were four sections, but with the foundation firmly established some have been finished. Nowadays most of the major British and New Zealand bloodlines are represented in the Australian Riding Ponies. The use of artificial insemination
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse or natural insemination...
has permitted even more bloodlines.
Uses
Today, the pony is mainly used as a children's show mount and for small adult riders. They compete in dressageDressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
, show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, combined driving
Combined driving
Combined driving also known as Horse Driving Trials is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. In this discipline the driver sits on a vehicle drawn by a single horse, a pair or a team of four. The sport has three phases: Dressage, Cross-country Marathon and Obstacle Cone Driving and is...
, gymkhana
Gymkhana (equestrian)
Gymkhana is a term used in the United Kingdom, east coast of the United States, and other English-speaking nations to describe an equestrian event consisting of speed pattern racing and timed games for riders on horses...
, mounted games, and horse show
Horse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
s.