Approval process for Sport Ponies.. questions for those who have been there...

[MudLark Ponies]

I'm casually looking into getting my Section B Welsh registered with the NA Sport Pony registry and am just gathering some information.

From what I've read on the website it looks like young stock has to perform a pattern in hand and then at liberty .. which includes a section for free jumping.

Does anyone know what happens in the liberty section? Do you just let them go and let them tear around or is it more guided (like free lunging) where you ask them to walk, trot and canter and, hopefully, return to you when you call them. :)

My second question is for anyone who has been through the process before. On the NA Sport Pony website it says that testing begins in the year when the pony turns two. The only testing in Western Canada is done in September when my colt would only be two and a half years old. I see that you can opt out of the riding portion at this stage if you like but you still have to free jump. Then you have to go back and do the performance section when the pony is five years old. Does anyone know if you can just opt to do the whole thing when the pony is three or four rather than testing them when they are babies. I actually don't feel that comfortable free-jumping him at two and a half... probably irrationally overprotective but there it is.


Does Canadian Sport Pony have their own approval process yet or are most people still using the NA Sport Pony registry?

This is all completely new to me so I appreciate any advice/feedback.

[Alison Plumbtree]

I have done the NASPR with 2 of my ponies and helped out with many others (all ages). For my 2 older geldings they had to be led in hand on a hard surface at a walk away and towards the inspectors. We then would go into an arena (or safe paddock) and would walk in hand and then trot around a triangle.(sort of a pattern on the ground) I then let the pony loose and he was asked to trot and canter both ways (free lunging really). Then I would catch him and send him through a shute for free jumping. I didnt do a riding/driving test as he shows all year and they dont need to do a test as long as they do a job (I compete for the year end ASPR awards and send my show results in to the ASPR secetary). I have also showed a 2 year old (which he would have been 2 1/2 at the time of the inspection) and he did not have to jump. I also plan on showing him (dressage- which I have already been doing- and driving) and I do not have to do a riding/driving test with him at a later date. If you have any questions you can email the ASPR as I have found them very helpful...I dont know much about the Canadian Sport Pony..
Hopefuly this helps...
Alison

[MudLark Ponies]

Thanks! That was really helpful. I will be e-mailing them for sure but I am also curious about the experiences of those who have been through the process. Do most people handle their own ponies or is it common to hire a handler?

I didn't realize that I could have my pony gelding approved as well. That's great because they could both go together for moral support. :)

Thanks again for your response. :)

[Alison Plumbtree]

No problem! I meant to say that its a little different if you have a stallion getting approved. They must do a test infront of the inspectors, but if they are too young you can have them approved for now ona temporary liscence and then go back and you can do your test at a later time. Just email them and they will let you know more information.
A lot of the handlers were also the owners. You want your pony to look its best though and if you are a little worried you could always hire a handler (some people did). I had a lot of fun doing it and the inspectors and all of the people were great!
Alison