The ASPR aims to encourage and promote pony competitions in Australia.
To this end you will find below some guidelines and links to sites containing
the relevant rules and regulations pertaining to ponies competing in Dressage,
Showjumping, Eventing (Horse Trials) and Combined Training.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DRESSAGE?
PONY DRESSAGE - Frequently Asked Questions :
Please note that it is the competitors obligation to know the rules under which they compete. The Equestrian Australia Dressage competition rules can be downloaded from the EA National web site. NB: There are important amendments to the Dressage competition rules effective as at 1/1/09
Q. I want to start competing in official pony dressage. What do I have to do?
A. In order to compete in official pony dressage :
* The rider (depending on age) of the pony must become a Junior or Senior member of your EA state branch* If the rider of the pony is not going to be listed as the registered owner of the pony, then the person to be listed as the owner must become at least an Associate member of EA
* You must register your pony with your EA state branch* You must purchase a pony dressage performance card* All new ponies registered with the EA must be microchipped.Q. Who do I contact?
A. The EA state branch web sites have all the forms that your require; these can be printed off and completed.
Q. What is the maximum pony height?
A. A pony must not exceed 148 cm (14.2 1/4hh) without shoes or 149 cm ( 14.2 5/8 hh) with shoes.
Q. I am currently a Show Horse member of EA; can I do official pony dressage with this membership?
A. No, depending on your age you must either me a Junior or Senior member to compete.
Q. What are the different age groups?
A. Riders in official pony dressage may compete from the year they turn 10 years of age.
Note: if a pony dressage competition is restricted by age or not open to all ponies, then that competition does not attract grading points. In order to gain grading points
the competition must be open to all ponies.
Q. Can a junior rider compete on a stallion?
A. Check with your EA State Branch. In Victoria (EA Victoria Stallion Code of Conduct), it is recommended that riders should be over the age of 17 years.
Q. I have become a member and registered my pony. How do I enter an official EA competition?
A. Entries for official EA competitions must be made on the official EA entry form and you must specify whether you are a pony, junior etc and include the pony's height.
Q. I only want to compete in Associate (unofficial) competitions. Do I need to be an EA member and does my pony have to be registered with EA?
A. To compete in Associate (unofficial) competitions you do not have to have your pony registered with EA. Grading points do not apply to Associate competitions.
You must be at least an Associate member of EA, or a member of the club/organisation hosting the event or a member of another EA affiliated and insured club.
Some clubs/organisations will require that you join the host club and some will require you to pay a ‘day’ membership.
Note : height restrictions do not apply to Associate competitions.
Q. What tests and level do I enter?
A. All Official and Associate EA Dressage competitions are open to ponies from Preliminary to Advanced. If the event schedule lists separate pony tests then you enter
those. If separate pony tests are not listed, then you just enter at whichever level you believe you are ready for and make sure that you write PONY on your Official EA
entry form.
Note : You can only compete in two consecutive levels (eg:preliminary & novice, novice & elementary etc) at an event (regardless of the number of days). You may only
enter and compete in no more than 3 tests in one day – may include a Freestyle test.
Q. What are the grading points?
A. If you win or place (to 6th place) in an official competition then you will gain points on your Pony Dressage Performance Card. For eg, if you win a Preliminary test you
will write in 6 points.
Note : 1. In order to gain grading points, you must achieve a score of at least 60% in either Preliminary or Novice and be placed in the first 6 placings. In Elementary to
Advanced, you must achieve a score of at least 58% and be placed in the first 6 placings to gain grading points.2. Once you have achieved 60 points in Preliminary and/or Novice competition, you must move up to the next level ie: Elementary. Once you have achieved 60 points, you cannot compete in Official Preliminary or Novice tests on that pony.Q. I am getting close to being graded out of my current level and don’t feel that my pony is ready to compete at a higher level yet?
A. In order to gain more experience and not upgrade too quickly you can compete H/C (non Competitive). You must advise the organisers if you wish to compete H/C in
writing. This can be done on the entry form or before the start of the competition. You get judges the same as every one else in the competition. You do not attract
grading points and you are not eligible for any prize, prize money or ribbon.
Q. What are the benefits of joining EA?
A. One of the main benefits of becoming a member is that you are covered by very comprehensive personal accident insurance that covers you for any equestrian activity
involving competition and/or training. You must also be a Junior or Senior member in order to compete in official showjumping and eventing competitions, as well as
official dressage.
EA (Equestrian Australia) Dressage levels are :
* Preparatory (beginner horse and/or beginner rider)
* Preliminary
* Novice
* Elementary
* Medium
* Advanced
Ponies (148 cms without shoes - 149 cms with shoes) with a rider of any age may compete in all EA Open Associate (unofficial) dressage level tests conducted by EA affiliated clubs and associations in Australia, unless otherwise stated on the entry form.
FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) Dressage ie: the highest levels in dressage :
* Intermediate I
* Intermediate II
* Prix St. Georges
* Grand Prix
The official representative for the FEI in Australia is Equestrian Australia.
For further details on EA Official Pony Dressage and/or Associate Pony Dressage, or to find a qualified instructor in your area go to the EA National web site. or telephone (02) 8762 7777.
HRCAV (Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria) :
* Level 5 (Beginner combinations)
* Level 4 (Equivalent to easy EFA Preliminary level)
* Level 3 (Equivalent to EFA Preliminary level)
* Level 2 (Equivalent to EFA Novice level)
* Level 1 (Equivalent to EFA Elementary level)
* Advanced Level 1 (Equivalent to EFA Medium level)
As the name suggest, the HRCAV is primarily located in Victoria, however Western Australia now has two HRCAV and interest has been expressed in other states. Rider and mount combination is assessed into a dressage level according to combinations ability and experience. If you would like to see if there is a club near you or would like information on how to start a club in your area visit the HRCAV Web Site or telephone (03) 9877 0330 or email the HRCAV.
Ponies may compete in an official or unofficial status (with junior or adult riders) in the HRCAV (Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria). There is no minimum on the size of the pony.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SHOWJUMPING?
EA Showjumping Levels are :
* D Grade (jump heights 1 m to 1.15 m)
* C Grade (jump heights 1.10 m to 1.30 m)
* B Grade (jump heights 1.20 m to 1.45 m)
* A Grade (jump heights 1.30 m to 1.70 m)
The above are Graded/Official levels. Most EA showjumping clubs also hold Freshman, Pre-Freshman or equivalent classes (starting at around 60 cm jump heights, sometimes lower).
Rider must be in the year of their 12th birthday or over to compete. Ponies must be a minimum of 4 years of age.
For further details on EA Showjumping, or to find a club and/or qualified instructor in your area go to the EA National Web Site.
HRCAV Showjumping Levels are :
* Level 5
* Level 4
* Level 3
* Level 2
* Level 1
As in dressage, combination of rider and mount are assessed according to ability and experience. Official Horse Trials competitions are run by affiliated HRCAV clubs and juniors as well as adults are eligible to compete. There is no height minimum on ponies.
For further details go to the HRCAV Web Site.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EVENTING/HORSE TRIALS?
There is no minimum height for eventing - ponies can compete on equal terms in all classes with large horses, providing they and their riders meet the required qualifications.
Qualifications are the same for horses and for ponies.
The rules apply to all clubs, organisations and societies nationwide which conduct classes under EA rules. New eventing rules and qualifications can be viewed at the EA National web site.
EA Eventing Levels are :
- Advanced CNC*** (rider may compete from the beginning of the year they turn 16 years of age)
- Intermediate CNC** (rider may compete from the beginning of the year they turn 16 years of age)
- Novice CNC* (rider may compete from the beginning of the year they turn 14 years of age)
- Junior CNCJ* (rider may compete from the beginning of the year they turn 14 years of age to the end of the year in which
they turn 18 years of age)- Pre-Novice & Junior Pre-Novice (rider may compete from the beginning of the year they turn 13 years of age)
- Preliminary (rider may compete from the beginning of the year they turn 12 years of age)
- Introductory (rider may compete from the beginning of the year in which they turn 11 years of age)
HRCAV Eventing Levels are :
* Level 5 (Max. height 45 cm for showjumping phase)
* Level 4 (Max. height 60 cm for showjumping phase)
* Level 3 (Max. height 75 cm for showjumping phase)
* Level 2 (Max. height 90 cm for showjumping phase)
* Level 1 (Max. height 1.05 m for showjumping phase)
As in the other HRCAV disciplines, rider and mount combination are assessed according to ability and experience. Official Combined Training competitions are run by affiliated HRCAV clubs and juniors as well as adults are eligible to compete. There is no height minimum for ponies.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN COMBINED TRAINING?
EA Combined Training Levels are :
* Introductory (Preliminary dressage test + showjumping)
Jump height 80 cm fixed fence and 1.05 metres brush fence
* Preliminary (Preliminary dressage test + showjumping)
Jump height 95 cm fixed fence and 1.10 metres brush fence
The above two levels are open to any rider in the year of their 12th birthday and above, riding a pony 4 years of age or over and at least 12.2hh. No other EA Combined Training Levels are available for ponies 14.2hh and under at this time.
The Rules pertaining to EA Combined Training are included in the rules for EA Eventing at the EA National web site as above.
HRCAV Combined Training Levels are :
* Level 5
* Level 4
* Level 3
* Level 2
* Level 1
HRCAV Combined Training has the same height jumps as those used in HRCAV Horse Trials (above).
Level assessment is the same as for other HRCAV disciplines above.
OR ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PONY CLUB?
Pony Club have their own Dressage, Showjumping, Combined Training and Eventing rules and competitions which are not related to those of the HRCAV and EA.
Pony Club Associations in your area can be contacted at the following links :
* Pony Club Association of Victoria (PCAV) - or phone (03) 9596 4778
* Pony Club Association of New South Wales (PCANSW) - or phone (02) 9552 2800
* Pony Club Association of Queensland (PCAQ) - or phone (07) 3216 1255
Pony Event Rules
ASPR Events
PONY DRESSAGE POINTS AMNESTY
As of the 14th October, 2009 (and until further notice) points for placings in Official Pony Dressage will no longer be applicable.
The amnesty will remain in place until such time as the points system is reviewed. Ponies will remain on the points they have achieved up until the 14th October. It is important to continue recording places on the Pony Dressage Card for qualifiers etc.
Official results must still be forwarded by OC's to the EA state Branch. Read more here
