British performance ponies up for grading

Final grading of the year for the Sport Pony Studbook Society takes place on 21 October at The Heart of England Equestrian Centre

The Sport Pony Studbook Society is holding its final grading of the year on 21 October at The Heart of England Equestrian Centre in Staffordshire. The society was set up to promote awareness of British ponies as competition and performance prospects.

Although many top-class competition ponies havebeen imported from Europe where they have been selectively breed, almost all can trace their origins back one of our nine mountain and moorland breeds.

Sarah Steggall, SPSS secretary, said: “We are trying to bring Britain inline with the rest of Europe where they breed for performance and jumping ability rather than just type.”

“The Sport Pony Studbook Society has been established to bridge the gap between European and our pony society studbooks. This will allow breeders and buyers to select ponies based on past merits, progeny and performance.”

All stallions and mares already graded with a recognised European or American sports pony or warmblood pony studbook are automatically eligible for entry into the SPSS studbook. Stallions andmares with pedigree papers from other recognised studbooks that successfully attend a SPSS grading will be entered.

The last grading of the year is expected to attract at least four stallions and around six mares, although more may be present on the day. There will also be a demonstration of successfully graded stallions to allow mare owners to select potential sires.

For more information on this grading contact (tel: 01844 237708 or mobile 07721 766210