Working Hunter Ponies

Working Hunter Ponies

Classes

When: Where:
Saturday 17 August Ring 2

93. WORKING HUNTER STARTER STAKES, PONY, MARE or GELDING, 4 years old or over, not exceeding 133cm.
Suitable for and to be ridden by riders who have not attained their 12th birthday by 1 January 2024.

94. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, not exceeding 133cm.
Suitable for and to be ridden by riders who have not attained their 14th birthday by 1 January 2024.

95. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, exceeding 133cm but not exceeding 143cm.
Suitable for and to be ridden by riders who have not attained their 17th birthday by 1 January 2024.

96. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, exceeding 143cm but not exceeding 153cm.
Suitable for and to be ridden by riders who have not attained their 20th birthday by 1 January 2024.

97. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, exceeding 143cm but not exceeding 158cm.
Suitable for and to be ridden by riders who have attained their 14th birthday but not attained their 25th birthday by 1 January 2024.

Aim

To demonstrate quality ponies capable of carrying a child across country.

They will be quality animals with a neat head, good length of rein and depth through the body.  They must be able to carry a child on a cross country ride, over fences, logs and ditches.  The pony must exhibit an ability to jump and be fit enough to go a distance.

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Entry Fee

RDS Members: €250 each entry; Non-Members: €290 each entry.

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Qualification

The top five ponies in each class, at each of the four qualifiers, are eligible to enter for the DHS. One reserve pony and rider combination per class will be identified at each qualifier. 

In the event that a class must be divided due to a large entry, the top three pony and rider combinations in each section will qualify, and a reserve pony and rider combination will be identified in each section.

A change of rider will not be permitted under any circumstances.  Only the pony / rider combination that qualify will be allowed to compete.

It is required that ponies entered in the qualifiers must have a minimum of one of the following: 50 IPS points, Grade C with Showjumping Ireland or Pony B with Eventing Ireland, and / or riders must have achieved the Irish Pony Club C Test.  Pony / rider combinations must compete in a minimum of two Working Hunter Pony qualifiers in order to be deemed qualified for the Show.

Online entry for the qualifiers will be available via the following link: www.itsplainsailing.com/club/ips.  A qualifier entry fee of €30 must be paid when submitting your entry online.  Entries must be submitted online before 5pm on the Sunday preceding each qualifier.  Please note that this deadline will be strictly adhered to.  All entries for the qualifiers must be made via the online entry system.  Entries will not be accepted by email, phone, fax or post.

The Irish Pony Society will run a series of training days in advance of the qualifiers, for further information on these visit the IPS website - www.irishponysociety.ie 

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Rules

A rider may compete a maximum of 1 pony per class.

Ponies entered in Class 93 may also, provided they are eligible, be entered in Class 94.  However, any combination of pony and rider competing in this class may not compete in any other Working Hunter Pony class at this Show.

Ponies entered in Classes 96 & 97 may also, provided they are eligible, be entered in Classes 20 & 21 (Small Hunters) and Class 65 (Junior / Young Rider Event Horses).

Riders must dress according to the dress code.

Protective headgear conforming to the current recommended BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark standards – PAS 015 2011, Snell E2016 (with official Snell label and number), ASTM F1163 (2004a or 04a onwards with SEI Mark), VG1 01.040 (2014-12), UTAC / CRITT or AS/NZS 3838 (2006 onwards and must have SAI Global mark), and fitted with an adjustable harness, is compulsory for all riders.  (Please note that as of 1 January 2023 hats with PAS 015 (1998) and Snell E2001 kitemarks / standards can no longer be accepted).  Protective headgear conforming to the above standards is compulsory for riders under the age of 16 years and for all rider competing in performance classes.  Please note, at both the qualifiers and the Final, fixed peak hats are not permitted for the Jumping Phase.

A body protector must be worn by all riders.  A correctly fitted, BETA approved, and appropriately labelled Level 3 body protector manufactured in the year 2009 or after is recommended.  If a rider chooses to wear an airbag style body protector, it must be worn over a recommended body protector.

Exhibits in the Working Hunter Ponies must have a current and valid measurement under the Showjumping Ireland / Irish Pony Society Measurement Scheme and their passports must be available on arrival for inspection.

Please note there are no specific bitting rules or guidelines for these classes.

Spurs are not permitted. 

These classes will run as per a specific drawn order available on the official startlist on the Equipe App.  A rider will be permitted to run out of order only in exceptional circumstances, on written request to the Equestrian Office before Tuesday 13 August, at 5pm and with the approval of the Show Director.

It is compulsory that all 4 and 5 year old ponies entered in these classes have competed in a minimum of three shows prior to the 1st of August 2024.   Please note, owners will be required to state the three shows on their entry form.  An allowance will be made for owners who wish to compete in a Show scheduled between their time of entry and the 1st of August, i.e owners will be permitted to list a show that they intend to compete in.  If an owner lists a future show, but is then unable to attend the nominated show for reasons of force majeure, the owner must declare this to the Equestrian Office before the 1st of August.

Proof of participation at these shows may be requested on arrival at the Dublin Horse Show, and should incorrect or inaccurate information be supplied it will incur elimination. 
For 5 year old ponies who competed as 4 year olds in 2023, this experience may be used to fulfil the three show requirement. 

Ring Familiarisation

Exhibitors in Classes 93 and 94 will be allowed to familiarise their ponies with the competition Ring on Saturday morning as below:

    Class 93 - 7.25am
    Class 94 - 7.40am

Please note that these times are subject to change and the finalised 'Ring Familiarisation' times will be included in the Official Daily Programme.

Exhibitors may only enter the Ring during the time allocated for their class.  All ponies must be mounted and wearing their competition number, and may only be ridden by the rider as recorded in the Catalogue.

Only the pony and rider may enter the Ring during these times; no grooms, assistants or trainers will be permitted to accompany the rider in the Ring.

Ponies are permitted to walk and trot only.

There will be a 5-minute course walk on foot for Class 93 at 7.55am. Riders should be accompanied by their parent, guardian or trainer.

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Judging

Phase One
Phase Marks
Jumping 10 marks per fence
Way of Going 20 marks

The total for Phase One will be divided by two and then the penalties subtracted.

Phase Two
Phase Marks
Conformation 10 marks
Movement 10 marks
Type 10 marks

Conformation and movement marks include quality and soundness.

Phase Three
Phase Marks
Ridden Display 10 marks
Manners 10 marks
Performance 10 marks

Manners and performance marks include “Way of Going” and manners in company.

Penalties
  Penalty
Fence down 10 penalties
1st refusal 15 penalties
2nd refusal 20 penalties
3rd refusal Elimination
Fall of rider Elimination

Riders who misuse the whip in the Jumping Phase will receive 5 penalties.  Misuse of the whip is where it is not applied to re-enforce a leg / seat aid or is inconsistent with the aids being given.  Excessive use of the whip may incur elimination.  Determination of excessive or misuse of the whip will be at the judge's discretion.

The top six ponies on the basis of total marks in Phase One and Phase Two will be invited back for final judging and assessment.

In the event of a tie, the pony with the highest overall mark in Phase One and Two will be the winner; if there is still a tie the pony with the highest mark in Phase One will be the winner.  If there is still a tie, the pony with the highest ‘Way of Going’ mark awarded in Phase One will be the winner.

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Fences

Ponies entered in Classes 93 to 97 will be required to jump a course of natural fences, including a water tray, and negotiate obstacles with the following dimensions:

Working Hunter Ponies
Class Max Height Max Width
Class 93 0.80m 0.90m
Class 94 0.95m 1.05m
Class 95 1.00m 1.10m
Class 96 1.10m 1.25m
Class 97 1.10m 1.25m

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Course Designer

Mr Kevin Millman (UK)

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Awards & Prizes

Classes 93 - 97:

1st  €340, 2nd €238, 3rd €191, 4th €134, 5th €97

A Special Breeders’ Prize of €100 will be presented to the breeder of the winning pony in each class.

The number of prizes awarded is based on the number of animals catalogued.  For more information please click here.

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Cups & Trophies

Cup No. 123 – The “Vivienne Hillery” Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Champion Working Hunter Pony in the Show.  First and second prize winners from Classes 94 to 97 will compete for this Cup.

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