Pony measuring rules may change

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has invited discussion on some of its rules regarding pony measuring, following the 2007 European Pony Championships in Germany in July.

The FEI said some national federations (NF) presented their ponies at the show in particularly thin shoes, which in some instances were then replaced for the competition itself. This practice does not contravene current rules but the FEI is asking NFs if they think the rule should be changed.

The FEI is also soliciting the NFs’ views about whether to phase out, remove or modify the 2cm “tolerance margin”, which was introduced to accommodate the change in a pony’s height when excited at a competition.

An FEI spokesman told H&H: “Modifications to the rules will probably be submitted for approval by the FEI bureau at the meeting on 16-17 November.”

FEI rules requiring all ponies to be measured at international competitions came into effect on 1 January this year.

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