South West Pony Association

General Show Rules

All competitors take part at their OWN RISK and are expected to exercise due care at all times and obey ALL notices displayed. The organisers and owners of the various indoor and outdoor venues used by our association accept NO responsibility for any accident, loss or damage to any competitors, spectators, animals or property. It shall be a condition of entry that competitors will hold the organisers blameless and indemnify them against any loss, damage or legal proceedings.

The association recommend that all exhibitors should have adequate personal sports insurance.

Exhibitors may not knowingly exhibit any Pony/Horse that has been bred, sold, leased or produced by the Judge or his/her immediate family or his/her employer.

An exhibitor may not show an equine in a competition judged by any member of his/her immediate family.

An exhibitor may not show under a judge for whom he/she has produced an equine in the last two years. (see current schedule for exact date)

A rider may not ride in a class judged by someone for whom he/she has ridden in a competition in the last two years. (see current schedule for exact date)

All Colts/Stallions two years old and over must be in possession of a current License (unless otherwise governed by the individual Breed Society).

IN-HAND STALLIONS AND COLTS: Stallions / Colts may NOT be LED by any Juniors who have not attained their 14th birthday before 1st January in the current year.

RIDDEN STALLIONS: Any Pony Stallion not exceeding 138cms or Small Breed Mountain & Moorland Stallions may NOT be ridden by juniors who have NOT attained their 12th birthday before 1st January in the current year at any show affiliated to South West Pony Association. Stallions exceeding 138cms or Large Breed Mountain & Moorland Stallions may NOT be ridden by Juniors who have NOT attained their 14th birthday before 1st January in the current at any show affiliated to South West Pony Association. (unless otherwise governed by the individual Breed Society)

All Children MUST have attained their 3rd birthday by 1st January in the current year before competing in ANY ridden classes, and must comply with the upper limit of the class entered, and be prepared to supply a copy of their birth certificate if requested.

Riders MUST be within the correct age limits for the type of Horse/Pony ridden for the qualification to be valid. Follow links to Championship Classes for full details.

Correct British Standard Headgear conforming to PAS015 or EN1384 or ASTMF1163 or current standards to be worn at all times when mounted, with chinstraps from 3 points on the hat fastened.

Reins that restrict the natural movement of a Pony/Horse MUST not be used in the ring.

NO Spurs to be worn in any ridden class and Showing Canes MUST not exceed 30" (unless deemed to be part of the 'dress code' for the class entered).

LEAD REIN, FIRST RIDDEN, NOVICE RIDDEN, NOVICE WORKING HUNTER CLASSES, SNAFFLE BRIDLES ONLY will be accepted. Click Here to see the list of permitted bits. (a list of permitted bits will also be posted outside the Secretary's Office on the day of the show, or can be obtained from the secretary - please send SAE to the secretary.)

Mountain & Moorland ponies MUST be shown in their natural state and trimming of Mountain & Moorland ponies MUST comply with the respective Breed Society Rules.

Mountain & Moorland Ponies and Part Breds must be registered with their respective PURE Breed Societies and registration numbers to be stated on the entry forms and when entered on the day, (unless otherwise stated on the individual class). These conditions also apply to Horses/Ponies entered as Pure Bred & Anglo Arabs.

The Organisers may divide/amalgamate/cancel classes as they see fit, without prior notice.

The Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry of persons or ponies at the committee's/secretary's discretion and without assigning a reason.

Objections must be in writing and given to the Secretary within 30 minutes of the completion of the relevant class and accompanied with a fee of £10.00 (refundable if the objection is upheld).