Anyone looking for a pony soon comes across terms such as A pony, B pony, C pony, D pony and E pony. But what exactly do these categories mean? How big is a D pony, for example, and when do we actually speak of a horse?<\/p>\n
A pony\u2019s size is determined by its height at the withers: the height from the ground to the highest point of the withers. Based on this height, ponies in Dutch equestrian sport are divided into different categories.<\/p>\n
The different pony sizes are indicated by the letters A to E:<\/p>\n
If you want to compete in the Netherlands with a pony in pony classes, the pony must be measured before it is brought out in competition. Up to and including its eighth year this happens every year, between 1 January and 1 April. The pony measurer records the measurement in the passport and passes the height on to the KNHS.<\/p>\n
International FEI pony competitions have their own rules. If a pony aged eight or older stays within the limit at an official FEI measurement, it receives a Lifetime Measuring Certificate and no longer needs to be measured every year. Since 2022 this also applies to ponies aged six to eight that are no taller than 1.40 m without shoes.<\/p>\n
In Belgium things work slightly differently. There, the pony measurer is appointed in consultation with the provincial pony committee, and the LRV\u2019s national secretariat registers the result.<\/p>\n
An A pony is the smallest pony category. These ponies have a height of up to 1.169 metres. Well-known examples of small pony breeds are Shetland ponies and Welsh A ponies. Within Shetland ponies there is an even smaller variety: the mini Shetland, with a height of up to and including 86 cm.<\/p>\n
Because of their small size, A ponies are mainly suitable for young and small children. Size alone, however, says little about character. A small pony can also be quite spirited or strong.<\/p>\n
A B pony has a height of 1.17 to 1.269 metres. We often see this size with children who have outgrown the very smallest ponies, but for whom a larger sport pony is still too big.<\/p>\n
When choosing a pony, it is important not to look only at the child\u2019s height. Leg length, build, experience and the type of pony also play a role.<\/p>\n
A C pony measures 1.27 to 1.369 metres. For many young riders, a C pony is a good in-between size.<\/p>\n
A heavily built C pony can feel surprisingly big to the rider, despite its relatively small height.<\/p>\n
A D pony has a height of 1.37 up to and including 1.489 metres. D ponies are very popular in pony sport, because ponies of this size can compete at European championships.<\/p>\n
Larger D ponies are often referred to as a big D pony or a full-size D pony. This usually means that the pony\u2019s height is close to the maximum of 1.489 metres.<\/p>\n
An E pony is taller than 1.49 metres and at most 1.569 metres. This category is, in a sense, the transition between ponies and horses.<\/p>\n
That can sometimes cause confusion. In other countries an animal over 1.489 metres is often called a horse, while Dutch competitive sport also uses an E category. In Belgium, for example, pony sport stops at 1.48 m.<\/p>\n
An E pony can be a good fit for riders who are growing out of a D pony, but for whom moving on to a bigger horse is still quite a step.<\/p>\n
In recent years, demand for E ponies has risen sharply because of the relatively new FEI Children class, in which children from the age of 12 may compete internationally on a \u2018horse\u2019 from 1.49 m.<\/p>\n
There is no simple formula for working out which pony size goes with which height of child. Two children of the same height can fit the same pony very differently because of differences in leg length and build.<\/p>\n
The pony\u2019s conformation also makes a big difference. A broad, sturdy pony of 1.45 metres can look much bigger with a rider than a narrow pony of 1.48 metres.<\/p>\n
So when choosing a pony, look at things such as:<\/p>\n
Looking for a pony? Use the A to E classification mainly as a first guideline. Especially when buying a children\u2019s pony, a suitable and reliable combination matters more than a few centimetres more or less, while bearing in mind, of course, that ponies do not grow along with your child.<\/p>\n
If you see a pony for sale on social media, ask for the latest measurement in the passport. The height given in an advert is not always the measured height. You can also look up the most recently registered height yourself in the KNHS Paardenzoeker (horse finder).<\/p>\n
At RSP Equi Select we have years of experience buying and selling ponies and horses, and we offer purchase guidance<\/a> for people who would like support in their search for a suitable pony or horse.<\/p>\n