SPSS Information

From left to right: Manitu N (SPSS Elite Stallion); Machno Carwyn (SPSS Elite Stallion and son of SPSS Elite stallion Carregcoch Bleddyn) and Red Alert (son of SPSS Elite stallion Laban)

What is a sports pony?

Top of Page

The nine indigenous Mountain and Moorland pony breeds of Great Britain are amongst the national treasures of these islands and the incomparable British Riding Pony is almost equally revered amongst equestrians of every age and nationality. Despite this, across the disciplines – and most particularly in dressage and showjumping -- growing numbers of children are competing on imported sports ponies bred in mainland Europe. In fact, many of these ponies can trace almost every one of their ancestors to one or other of our native pony or riding pony studbooks. However, because they have been selectively bred and performance tested for several generations for their paces, performance talent, soundness and temperament, rather than for breed type or show ring potential, they are now more like a small warmblood competition horse than a cross-bred pony and their proven record of wins at top junior international level is increasingly making them the first choice for keen children, parents, trainers and sponsors.

Why do we need a Sports Pony Studbook?

Top of Page

As interest in these ponies has grown, not only schoolmaster geldings but also graded stallions, approved mares and younger ungraded colts and fillies have been imported and a number of enthusiasts have begun to breed from them. However, until recently it was impossible to register the vast majority of these ponies or their progeny in the main section of any stud book as no existing organisation graded or approved the ponies as breeding stock in the European manner. The formation of the Sports Pony Studbook Society (SPSS) has solved this problem and, as the only specialised sports pony stud book recognised by DEFRA, all SPSS registration documents also conform to the EU requirements for universal equine passports.

What ponies are eligible for registration with the SPSS?

Top of Page

ALL stallions and mares already graded into a recognised European or American sports pony or warmblood pony stud book are automatically eligible for entry into the SPSS stud book. All stallions and mares with pedigree papers from all other recognised pony stud books (both British and foreign) that successfully attend a SPSS grading will also enter the studbook. Progeny of stallions and mares in the SPSS (apart from pure-bred offspring eligible for the stud books of one of the indigenous Mountain and Moorland breeds of the UK) will receive SPSS papers and may attend grading in due course. If graded they will enter the SPSS stud book as approved breeding stallions and mares in their own right.

The SPSS has already graded and licensed some exceptional breeding stock, ranging from European team ponies to youngsters with sports potential. It particularly welcomes registration and grading enquiries from British-bred pony stallions and mares with a proven competition record as children’s mounts as the SPSS committee attaches great importance to the development of a child-friendly pony that also has true sports talent.

How can you find out more?

Top of Page

If you would like to register your pony with the SPSS, or would like to find out more about this exciting development in British breeding, please call the Secretary Sarah Steggall on 07721 766210 or write to her at the address at the top of this page.

You can also contact the other committee members as follows:

Celia Clarke (Chairman) on 01280 812281;
Linda Manley-Bird (Membership) on 01903 531775;

Edith Rutherford (Accounts) on 01558 685693;

Sarah Eberle (Publicity);

Kerensa Pluess-Cobbledick on 01288 361368 or 07977 480870;

For quiries, news or other information concerning the Web Site please

How do I get a copy of the SPSS Rule Book?

Top of Page

The latest SPSS Rule Book (updated as at 1st January 2008) can be downloaded by clicking here or can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Head Office (address at top of page) - please make sure you include a note to say what you want!!

How do I enter my pony for Grading?

Top of Page

Stage 1: Check that your pony is no more than 158cms in height. Note that ponies close to the height limit may have to produce proof of height; this can be a letter from a vet or JMB certificate.

Stage 2: If not already a member, join the SPSS - click here for membership fees and application form. Note that your membership application can be sent to Head Office at the same time as your pony's registration and grading forms.

Stage 3: If you pony is not already registered with the SPSS - ie does not have an SPSS passport or their non-SPSS passport overstamped by the SPSS - then complete the relevant Registration Form - fees and forms are available on the Registrations page (click here).

Stage 4: If the Grading Date for the year has been announced then you can download entry forms and enter at the same time as returning your pony's registration form. If the date has not yet been announced or entries have closed but you have registered your pony and expressed an interesting in grading him/her, then Head Office will notify you as soon as the next Grading dates are announced. Details of the 2007 Gradings are here

If at any point you have any questions on any of the process, please call or email Head Office (details at top of page)

What happens at a Grading?

Top of Page

The ponies will be individually inspected for conformation, in hand and loose movement and given an opportunity to loose jump at the owner’s discretion. Ponies can also be shown under saddle, either just on the flat or to jump as well. Note that mares in foal or with a foal at foot are not required to loose jump or be ridden. In addition, competition and progeny results are taken into account as well as performance on the day – details should be submitted with the Grading Entry Form. Note that young ponies are not disadvantaged by not having a competition or progeny record.

Firstly, the ponies will be shown individually, 'on the triangle', so that they can be assessed for conformation and movement. Enter the arena at walk and go over to the judges. Stand your pony up in front of them – there may well be two parallel poles to indicate the spot. It is generally advised to stand in front of your pony so that the judges get a clear view and it is best if the pony stands with the front leg nearest to the judge slightly forward and the back leg nearest to the judge slightly back. When the judges move to look at the other side of your pony then push him/her back a step so that he/she stands nicely again.

Once the judges have done the visual assessment, they will then direct you how to proceed. This can be to walk directly away from them, then to turn and come straight back or it may be to walk around the triangle of poles (generally on the right rein so the handler is not between the judges and the pony). Sometimes the judges will ask for both to be done!

Once the walk has been shown, the judges will normally then ask for a trot around the triangle. The key points are to go straight away from the judges and straight again on the way back; extend the trot when side on to the judges. Note that being straight is more important than following the exact triangle – the poles are for guidance only.

Once you have completed a circuit in trot, then at both the SPSS Grading and the In-Hand Show, the next stage is to show the pony loose – note that this may not be required at a different show! This enables the judges to see their loose movement and to finalise the marks for temperament. The owners can then decide whether or not to show their pony loose down a pre-built jumping lane. The fences do not have to be high for youngsters and can be built up over 3 or 4 attempts as the judges look at the technique and attitude at this point.

Once all the ponies have been assessed in-hand and loose, then any ponies being ridden return individually to the arena. Ridden ponies are expected to show their ridden paces and can jump if they wished. For the flatwork section, the judges want to see the working paces as well as extended trot and canter. Showing walk on a long rein with the pony fully stretched is also considered very important as this shows the correct attitude and suppleness of the pony.

Those stallions forward as jumping ponies wishing to gain BSJA approval have to jump a show jumping course at the BSJA's set height in front of a BSJA Assessor (SPSS will arrange an Assessors attendance if required). Stallions that are clear over the set height have the option to come back in and jump higher, at their owners' discretion. Note that technique is considered as important by the judges as the height scaled. Contact Head Office for current BSJA assessment heights as these depend on the height & age of the pony.

What is the expected 'turn-out' at the Grading?

Top of Page

Ponies should be presented plaited (a running plait or looped long plaits is acceptable for pure-bred Mountain & Moreland ponies). Ponies aged 2 or over should be shown in a snaffle bridle with reins or leather lead rein. Yearlings can wear a snaffle bridle or leather headcollar and foals should wear a leather headcollar. No boots or bandages are to be worn other than for the loose and ridden jumping (if wished).

Handlers should wear shoes/trainers and clothes (preferably white or light coloured) that are comfortable for running! Hats and riding boots must be worn by all those riding and hats are advised for those showing in-hand.

How do I prepare my pony for Grading?

Top of Page

Get your pony used to standing up correctly for the judge and walking and trotting in-hand around a large 'triangle' of white poles as this will make the showing on the triangle part far less stressful. There may also be plant pots for decoration!

Teach your pony to turn by raising your outside hand towards its face when trotting on the triangle. This will make your turns tighter and tidier.

When showing on the triangle, note that the poles are there for guidance only and it is most important to walk/trot (as directed) straight away from the judges, to take the trot forward

Practise loose schooling/jumping your pony a few times so that it has the basic idea of what it's meant to be doing. In the past, ponies have charged at the judges and then wouldn't be caught again easily. It is not fair to expect a youngster to know what to do with a jumping lane, first time, when the eyes of the world are upon it!

Make sure you can catch your pony when loose schooling it - perhaps have a bucket handy or some treats in your pocket on the day.

How do I change the owner's details in an SPSS passport?

Top of Page

When a pony holding ANY type of SPSS passport changes ownership, the passport must be returned to the SPSS Head Office immediately to have the new owner's details recorded. A letter, receipt or bill of sale that is signed by the last registered owner and gives the new owners name and address should be sent with the passport and a cheque for £15 made out to "SPSS". Click here for more info.

Note that the Head Office address to use is Sock Farm, Sock Farm, Chilthorne Domer, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8QZ (as at top of this web page) NOT the New Barn Farm, Ludgershall address that may be printed in the passport - Head Office moved in 2004!

Are there any height restrictions?

Top of Page

No adult stallion or mare over 158 cm will be eligible for SPSS grading but foals and youngstock with one SPSS graded parent and the other over height are eligible for registration and pedigree papers.

Can I use a prefix/suffix when naming my pony?

Top of Page

The SPSS is a member of the Central Prefix Registry, and all breeders wishing to use a prefix or suffix when registering an animal with the SPSS must apply for approval and registration of that prefix before it can be recognised as their own (even if they have already registered the prefix with a different breed society or studbook). The SPSS will check with the Central Prefix Register on behalf of the breeder that this prefix is acceptable, but in order to avoid disappointment advises all breeders to consult the Central Prefix Register’s own web page http://www.centralprefixregister.com/ before finalising their choice.

The fee for Registering a Prefix is £50. Please contact Head Office (details at top of page) for forms etc.

How do I get a passport for my foal?

Top of Page

Download and complete the Youngstock Registration Form; ensure that your vet has taken a DNA sample (unless your pony has already had one taken and stored) and completed either the ID diagram on the Covering Certificate or the one on the Registration Form. Send the original Covering Certificate, a Youngstock Registration Form and the DNA sample with appropriate fee (see Youngstock Registration Form and add £15 if including a DNA sample). A passport will then be issued by Head Office. Please note that if you wish to use a prefix/suffix then you need to register it with the Central Prefix Register via SPSS Head Office (see here for more details) either before or at the same time as returning your Youngstock Registration Form - failure to do this will result in a delay to the issue of your pony's passport!

Please bear with us at busy times of the year if there is a delay in supplying your passport - if you have a requirement for it by a specific date, then please submit the paperwork as early as possible and notify Head Office of your deadline.

When does my foal need a passport?

Top of Page

As at 10th September 2007, the guidance on the DEFRA website includes the following question/answer:

"25. Are Passports required for foals? Yes. A foal must be issued with a Passport by the 31 December of the year of birth or by 6 months of age, whichever is the later. However, if the foal is sold or sent for slaughter it will require a Passport regardless of its age. Foals that are accompanying their dams either to stud or to a show will be able to travel without a Passport providing a Passport accompanies the dam and they are returning to their holding of birth with their dam. This rule will also apply if, for example, a Welsh owner is showing his or her foals in England and vice versa. "

We recommend that you always check the DEFRA website (here) for the latest guidance.

The Sports Pony Studbook Society
Head Office, Bernwode Stud, Sock Farm, Chilthorne Domer, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8QZ Tel: 01935 840029; Mobile: 07721 766210 A Private Limited Company - Companies House (Cardiff) Registration No. 4106148
Home	Information & FAQ	Membership	Passports
News	Stallions	Mares	Foals
For Sale	Registration	Grading	Merchandise	Links