top of page

Rules for Pony Events

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? 

 

Refer to Pony Dressage FAQ's

 

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.

 

EA (Equestrian Australia) Dressage levels are :

 

  • Preparatory (beginner horse and/or beginner rider)

  • Preliminary

  • Novice

  • Elementary

  • Medium

  • Advanced

 

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 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 there are now quite a number of clubs in southern NSW. 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 officially in the HRCAV with all classes open to any height.

 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. 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.

FAQ's - Pony Dressage

I want to start competing in official competitive pony dressage. What do I have to do?

- the rider (depending on age) must become a Junior or Senior member of your EA State Branch.- the owner of the pony must be at least a Participant member of an EA State Branch.- your pony must be registered with your relevant EA State Branch.- you must purchase a pony dressage performance card (competition license) for each year you wish to compete.

Who do I contact?

The EA State Branch web sites have all the forms that you require; these can be printed off and completed.

What is the maximum pony height?

A pony must not exceed 148 cms (14.2 1/4hh) without shoes.

What are the different age groups?

Riders in official competitive pony dressage may compete from the year they turn 10 years of age. Note that 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.

What age does the rider have to be for a pony stallion?

Riders aged 10 years and over may compete in Pony Dressage. Note that EA Stallion Safe Practice Guidelines apply to all ASPR events.

I only want to compete in Participant competitions. Do I need to be an EA member and does my pony have to be registered with EA?

To compete in Participant competitions you do not have to have your pony registered with EA (excluding Victoria where ponies must be EA registered). Grading pointgs do not apply to participant competitions.

What tests and level do I do?

All Official Competitive and Participant EA Dressage competitions are open to ponies. 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. Mare sure you put PONY on your entry form. Note : you can only compete in two consecutive levels (eg: Preliminary and Novice or, Novice and 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.

What are the grading points?

Visit the EA National web site for more information.

What are the benefits of joining an EA State Branch?

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 to compete in official dressage, showjumping and eventing competitions.

Please reload

 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

bottom of page