Sports Pony Challenge 2017

Guidelines and Rules

The Sports Pony Challenge is an exciting new national competition being hosted by the Hunter Pony Committee of the Irish Pony Society with a prize fund of €2,500. This testing three phase competition will highlight the versatility and production standards of our ponies and riders. This is a unique new competition which will focus on all round excellence.

Dressage:Test BD Novice 28 2008

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:

  1. 133cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 14 yrs on 1st Jan 2017
  2. 143cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 17 yrs on 1st Jan 2017
  3. 153cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 20 yrs on 1st Jan 2017
  4. 158cm Pony, 5 yrs old or over – Rider: Under 25 yrs on 1st Jan 2017
  5. Reg Connemara Pony, 5yrs old or over – Rider of any age

Qualifiers: Venue:Entry Close Dressage Times Online

18th AprilKillossery Lodge10th April13th April

23rd AprilBarnadown ECCANCELLED

14th MayMullingar EC8th May10th May

3rd JuneLimerick IPS Show29th Mayas per Limerick Show

18th JuneConnellhill,Randalstown, NI13th June15th June

20th JuneBarnadown EC 14th June16th June

3 Riders from each section qualify at each venue. Total of 75 ponies at final. 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.

Final – 12th July – Coilog Equestrian Centre.

Qualifying entries must be received by 05th July.

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.

  1. All trot may be executed sitting or rising.
  2. The test is to be ridden by memory, with no outside assistance allowed.
  3. Competitors must not enter the arena until the Judge has rung the bell.
  4. 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.
  5. Nosebands only of cavesson, drop, flash, grackle or Mexican are permitted, and must not have chain or rope.
  6. Martingales, side check or running reins are not permitted.

Performance 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.

  1. Competitors are allowed to walk the course dismounted before their class.
  2. No person, other than the Judge or the Course Builder is permitted to alter the course.
  3. No spurs permitted
  4. 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.

  1. The wearing of show jumping jackets is allowed.
  2. No spurs permitted.
  3. Knock and 1st refusal 4 penalties. 2nd refusal 8 penalties. 3rd refusal – elimination.
  4. Fall of rider or pony elimination.
  5. 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 becomemembers to be eligible to compete in the final on July 12th in Coilog EC.

For further information please contact:

Irish Pony Society: 045 854513 Dorothy Guilford: 087 248 6959

Yvonne Byrne: 087 207 0217 Libby Wentges: 087 133 5380

email:

€2,500 PRIZE FUND

PERPETUAL TROPHIES AWARDED TO WINNER IN EACH CLASS

RUGS KINDLY SPONSORED BY BERNEY BROS. KILCULLEN