Guidelines and Rules 2022
The Sports Pony Challenge is an exciting national competition being hosted by the Hunter Pony Committee of the Irish Pony Society. This testing three phase competition will highlight the versatility and production standards of our ponies and riders. This is a unique competition which focuses on all round excellence.
Dressage Test: To be announced
Performance Hunter: Jumped over a course of natural fences of not less than 10 fences, which must include a double.
Showjumping: Jumped under guidance of SJI rules – over one round with the second half being against the clock
Classes:
133cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 14 yrs on 1st Jan
143cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 17 yrs on 1st Jan
153cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 20 yrs on 1st Jan
158cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 25 yrs on 1st Jan
Reg Connemara Pony, 5yrs old or over – Rider of any age
3 Riders from each section qualify at each venue. The 1st, 2nd,and 3rd place competitions in class’s 1 – 5 will qualify, if they have already qualified the next competitor in line will automatically qualify for final.
All competitors must jump in their correct height section and be the correct age for the pony they ride. Riders can ride a maximum of 2 ponies in the qualifiers and in the final.
Ponies can only compete in one Class at a given qualifier, but can opt to go in a different class at a different qualifier, i.e Connemara etc, however they can only qualify in one class for the final.
Dressage Phase:
The Dressage phase is to be ridden before the jumping phases and to be ridden in a snaffle. All transitions from one pace to another to another may be progressive. It will be permitted to change tack between disciplines.
- All trot may be executed sitting or rising.
- The test is to be ridden by memory, with no outside assistance allowed.
- Competitors must not enter the arena until the Judge has rung the bell.
- Dress must be in accordance with Dressage rules, gloves must be worn, spurs are not permitted, black or brown saddles, Numnahs, white, black or brown with no logo.
- Nosebands only of cavesson, drop, flash, grackle or Mexican are permitted, and must not have chain or rope.
- Martingales, side check or running reins are not permitted.
Performance Working Hunter:
This phase will be jumped over a course of natural fences of not less than 10 fences which must include a double. To consist of one round appropriate to the pony’s Height section and type of class. There will be NO confirmation or showing phase. Each fence will be marked out of 10 with penalty of 10 points deducted per knock or refusal with fall of pony or rider resulting in elimination. In the event of a tie, the pony with the highest way of going marks (out of 20) will be awarded first place.
- Competitors are allowed to walk the course dismounted before their class.
- No person, other than the Judge or the Course Builder is permitted to alter the course.
- No spurs permitted
- Body protectors are compulsory for all jumping phases for riders under 16 yrs on 1st Jan of current year.
Showjumping Phase:
This phase will be jumped under the guidance of Show Jumping Ireland and will be jumped over one round with second half being against the clock.
The dressage percentage scores will be added to the Performance Hunter Scores to calculate the show jumping order. Ponies will jump in reverse order of merit at the final. Jumped under the guidance of Show Jumping Ireland rules.
- The wearing of show jumping jackets is allowed.
- No spurs permitted.
- Knock and 1st refusal 4 penalties. 2nd refusal 8 penalties. 3rd refusal – elimination.
- Fall of rider or pony elimination.
- Taking a wrong course or jumping an extra fence constitutes elimination.
Points Awarded in Each Section
Fence Height Guidelines
The overall winner in each class (1-5) will be the pony with the highest score in all 3 disciplines.
Competition is open to non-members, however, all riders must become members to be eligible to compete in the final.
For further information please contact:
Irish Pony Society: 045 854513 Dorothy Guilford: 087 248 6959
Libby Wentges: 087 133 5380
Email: workinghunterips@gmail.com