Although it's not compulsory to compete, pony riders are encouraged to become members of Dressage NSW, receive Centreline and be more involved with the NSW dressage community.

 

At this year’s championship, there will be a special $50 cash prize awarded to the highest placing DNSW member at each level, from Prelim to Advanced, as an incentive to encourage more pony riders to join. Only current financial member of Dressage NSW will be eligible to win this prize.

 

To qualify for the Championships, riders needed to submit their best three official scores with at least one performance over 58% or higher for Prelim/Nov/Elem and for Med/Adv, three official scores with one performance over 55% or higher. Ponies are ranked according to the scores received and the top 30 ponies at each

level have been accepted.

 

Horsezone caught up with Sandi Oh (pictured), who is excited about riding her gelding Tilson Park Michael (Mouse), at her first Pony Dressage Championships.

"Mouse is a 15 year old Palomino Australian Stock Horse gelding. Before I bought him he lived in Albury with an eventer. He was her "pet pony" and she brought him on beautifully, training Medium dressage, competing Elementary, and jumping competitively 1.30m.  He was also shown successfully. Since coming to Sydney he has taught me a lot! He is the perfect first pony as he is quiet, intelligent and very patient with my mistakes."

"I started riding (from scratch) two years ago exactly, at Moore Park Stables at Centennial Park Equestrian Centre in Sydney.  I began having lessons with my current teacher Pamela Bode in December 2009, and not long after started leasing a gorgeous grey Welshie named Jerry. He was the one that made me fall in love with ponies and when I started looking for my own I specifically looked only for ponies under 14.2hh so I could do pony dressage!"

"At the NSW Pony Dressage Championships we are attempting a Preliminary freestyle, which although not easy to put together has been fun. I’ve had lots of support from people down at the stables and it’s nice to know people genuinely like Mouse!  He’s become a bit of a celebrity at the stables due to his penchant for pink. He has a collection of pink rugs, and most of the other stuff in the tack room is also pink. He eats hay from his pink hay net each morning, and the browband on his bridle has pink crystals. My excuse is that I never had a pony when I was young, so all that girly pink stuff has to come out now!"

"In terms of all this coming together,  Pamela has been there every step of the way, encouraging me to lease Jerry, telling me about Pony Dressage, and trying out ponies all over NSW. She has also been endlessly supportive when it comes to my every day riding of Mouse and has had a huge part in making the freestyle come together."

"So far Mousey and I have been to two competitions, both at SIEC. This will be our third outing, ever."

We wish Sandi and Mouse, and all competitors at the Pony Dressage Championships, the best of luck this weekend!

For anyone who is keen to become involved with Pony Dressage, Dressage NSW has provided information as detailed below:

 

What are the requirements to start competing in Official Pony Dressage classes?

• Ponies enter and compete in exactly the same official classes as regular horses except that they are ranked separately in the results.

• The requirements for a pony to compete in official pony dressage are the same for regular official dressage with only a few minor changes:

• The rider must be at least 10 years or older

• The rider must be either a Junior or Senior current financial member of Equestrian Australia (and it is recommended that the rider is also a member of DNSW although this is not compulsory)

• If the rider of the pony is not the owner, then the person listed as owner must be a current financial member of Equestrian Australia.

• The pony must be registered with Equestrian NSW and have a current Pony Dressage performance card.

• As of July 1, 2011- the pony must be micro chipped

• If the pony is close to the height of 149cm with shoes or 148cm without shoes then a current height certificate is also recommended.

 

What is the maximum height a pony can be?

• To be classed a ‘pony’, the height must not exceed149cm with shoes or 148cm without shoes, approximately 14.2 5/8 hh.

 

Do I have to be measured officially?

• If your pony is close to maximum height, you will need to hold a current height certificate. If a complaint is made to the organizing committee about the height of your pony, this certificate must be produced within 7 days of the event.

 

Can I use a vet measurement as an official record of height?

• Only current certificates issued by EA, the Hack Council or the RAS are accepted as official height certificates.

 

Does my pony need to be micro chipped?

As of July 1, 2011- all horses/ponies participating in official competition must have be micro chipped.

 

I only want to compete in Associate level competitions. What do I need to know?

• Riders must either be a member of EA of at least Associate level or the affiliated club/organisation conducting the event or if the club wishes to permit these, any other category of person who may be permitted under the EA‟s insurance arrangements at the time.

• There is no restriction on age.

• One rider per horse is permitted at any event.

• EA registration is not required for the pony.

• There is no restriction on the height of the horse/pony.

• If a horse/pony is graded, it may only compete at its graded level or higher, or HC at a low Associate classes are not official dressage competitions and scores from these will not be accepted as qualifying scores for the NSW Pony Dressage Championships.