Where to from here?

ASPR Events

Matitojo Duvallier - Prelim. 1st Premium Colt

When we talk about cultivating an Australian Sports Pony worthy of international status, utilising bloodlines already available to us here in Australia, we have to remember that many of the bloodlines used to create the German Sports Pony, which is gaining in renown worldwide, are already in Australia. We have Welsh B ponies, New Forests and Connemaras, along with the Arabian horse and of course the Thoroughbred, to mention only a few. We also have the Australian Stock Horse and the western breeds, renowned for their temperament and work ethic - and the list goes on.

Many ponies today, of both known and unknown parentage, have already been "crossed" with one or more of the breeds and bloodlines as mentioned above, to create a pony of substance with a large stride and bold character, and these ponies are already "out and about" in this country. Often we don't see them for the simple reason most won't be found in the pony hack ring. They won't have the highly refined bone of the ponies often seen doing well in open pony classes under saddle. You may find them in the hunter classes or out on the trail, or working stock, or being ridden at pony club. You may also find them in the dressage ring. They are a versatile pony.

The large majority of these ponies, however, have yet to be given the necessary opportunities and encouragement to prove themselves in the disciplines of dressage, showjumping or eventing. We hope to attract such ponies and their riders to learn about and experience these sports through the sharing of knowledge among members of the ASPR, participation in our point score system and future ASPR competitions.

While our aim is to encourage more ponies to the Olympic disciplines, and to cultivate an Australian Sports Pony and breed on from it, we appreciate the quality and variety of the bloodlines already available to us 'in our own garden'. This is in no small part due to Australia having the second largest equine population in the world.

When it comes to sports ponies, particularly in dressage, it is now fairly well accepted globally that an equine 148 cms and under is considered a pony. The ASPR definition of a pony is also any equine 148 cms and under. For the vast number and variety of ponies in Australia, there are an equal number of people who choose to ride them. The ASPR believes the preferred size of a pony is a matter of personal choice made by the rider. A large child may be better suited to a large pony, whereas a petite adult may be better suited to a small pony. In most cases it is a sensible and practical idea for an experienced adult to educate and socialise a small pony if that pony is intended for a young child rider.

Similarly, it is generally considered a safer option for a junior rider to avoid competing on a stallion, pony or otherwise. Yet, in many cases the rules for competing do not permit the pony to be ridden by an adult.. This effectively limits the opportunities for a pony stallion to compete under saddle. However, if a pony stallion cannot compete under saddle its ability to procure performance points is severely restricted, with the result being its progeny cannot be advertised as coming from a qualified Sports Pony sire. The opportunity to breed on Sports Pony stock from that stallion is lost. The ASPR aims to address issues such as this and provide competitions which are fair and equal for both children and adults who ride ponies.

Further, the ASPR realises that while Australia has the ability to produce a top quality Sports Pony capable of competing at an international level, we also appreciate the need to produce top quality riders. We have a firm belief that the way to ensure this occurs is to educate our child riders from a very early age in classical technique, similar to how child riders are trained in Europe. For the purpose of encouraging highly educated ponies and riders in Australia, we will provide, via the ASPR website, links to a comprehensive list of instructors nationwide who specialise in teaching the classical techniques of riding.

We now have an annual ASPR hosted competition in Victoria and New South Wales and are looking towards establishing competitions in other states. One day in the not so distant future we hope to run State Pony Championships followed by National titles.

The ASPR has further provided incentives for pony riders to become actively involved at local club level in the equestrian Olympic sports of dressage, eventing and showjumping - and in the related equestrian sport of combined training - by way of our Annual High Point Awards and our ROM Awards.

We have also incorporated a register to which people seeking to buy, sell or lease Australian Sports Ponies can refer.

For clubs and societies which are interested in commencing pony competitions in the equestrian disciplines recognised by the ASPR, the current Rules are available HERE

We hope you will join us as we welcome in this exciting new era in equestrian history - the emergence and promotion of Sports Ponies in Australia.

Habafield Tiffany - 1st Premium  Mare

Liburnam Park Piccadilly - 1st Premium * Stallion

Kapeta Honesty - 1st Premium * Gelding

Matitojo Sherdan - 1st Premium Gelding

Matitojo Duvallier - Preliminary 1st Premium Colt