Classes
| When: | Where: |
|---|---|
| Saturday 8 August | Ring 2 |
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93. WORKING HUNTER STARTER STAKES, PONY, MARE or GELDING, 4 years old or over, not exceeding 133cm. |
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94. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, not exceeding 133cm. |
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95. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, exceeding 133cm but not exceeding 143cm. |
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96. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, exceeding 143cm but not exceeding 153cm. |
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97. PONY, MARE, GELDING or STALLION, 4 years old or over, exceeding 143cm but not exceeding 158cm. |
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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: €285 each entry; Non-Members: €325 each entry.
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Qualification
The top five combinations in each category, at each of the four qualifiers, will be eligible to enter for the DHS provided they meet the extended criteria below:
Pony / rider combinations must have completed a minimum of two Working Hunter Pony qualifiers before competing at the DHS.
It is required that ponies entered for classes 94 to 97 have a minimum of one of the following: 50 IPS points, Grade C with Showjumping Ireland, EI 100 with Eventing Ireland, and / or riders must have achieved the Irish Pony Club C Test.
A set 'Show Piece' will apply for the qualifiers and will be available on the Irish Pony Society website: www.irishponysociety.ie
A change of rider will not be permitted under any circumstances. Only the pony / rider combination that qualify will be allowed to compete.
A rider may enter a maximum of two ponies per Working Hunter Pony class at the qualifiers but may only qualify a maximum of one pony per class. A rider may qualify a maximum of two ponies overall across the five Working Hunter Pony classes for the DHS, except for those riders competing in class 93, who are not permitted to enter in any other Working Hunter Pony class at the Show.
Ponies entered in the Working Hunter Starter Stakes may also, provided they are eligible, be entered in the class for 'Pony, Mare, Gelding or Stallion, 4 years old or over, not exceeding 133cm, suitable for and to be ridden by riders who have not attainted their 14th birthday by 1 January 2026'. Riders entered in the Working Hunter Starter Stakes are not permitted to enter in any other Working Hunter Pony qualifier.
Online entry for the qualifiers will be available via the following link: www.itsplainsailing.com/club/ips. Entries must be submitted online before 5pm on the Sunday before the qualifier is due to take place. 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. A qualifier entry fee of €40 will apply and will be paid directly to the Irish Pony Society at the point of entry.
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. Riders entered in Class 93 are not permitted to enter in any other Working Hunter Pony class at the 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).
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.
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 4 August, at 5pm and with the approval of the Show Director.
A reserve system will not be in place for these qualifiers, should any qualifier fail to provide the number of qualifying places under the rules, such places will not be carried forward to the next qualifier or filled by any other method or allocation.
Under no circumstances will an additional / extra qualifying place be awarded in the case of a judging or scoring error. The decision of the Chief Steward in conjunction with the Judge on the day will be final and binding. No other appeals will be entertained.
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 2018 or after is recommended. If a rider chooses to wear an airbag style body protector, it must be worn over a recommended body protector.
Please note there are no specific bitting rules or guidelines for these classes.
No hind boots or bandages are permitted.
Spurs are not permitted.
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 2026. 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 2025, 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 | 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 | Marks |
|---|---|
| Conformation | 10 marks |
| Movement | 10 marks |
| Type | 10 marks |
Conformation and movement marks include quality and soundness.
| Phase | Marks |
|---|---|
| Ridden Display | 10 marks |
| Manners | 10 marks |
| Performance | 10 marks |
Manners and performance marks include “Way of Going” and manners in company.
| 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. This will not apply at the qualifiers. (In order to be prepared for the final judging and assessment at the DHS, qualified competitiors are advised to have acclimatised their ponies to a group ride situation).
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:
| 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
TBC
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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 highest placed Irish-bred pony in each class. In order to be eligible for a Special Breeders' Prize, ponies must be bred in Ireland, registered in an Irish pony studbook and have their breeding recorded on their passports.
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.
NB: The rules and conditions for each class and competition as published in the current year's RDS Dublin Horse Show Competition Schedule are complete, final and binding.
All exhibitors must read the current year's Schedule when entering for a class or qualifier. No other version of the class detail or rules are considered official. See link to RDS Dublin Horse Show Competition Schedule.
