What is a sports pony?
The nine indigenous Mountain and Moorland pony breeds of Great Britain are amongst the national treasures of these islands and the incomparable British Riding Pony is almost equally revered amongst equestrians of every age and nationality. Despite this, across the disciplines - and most particularly in dressage and showjumping - growing numbers of children are competing on imported sports ponies bred in mainland Europe. In fact, many of these ponies can trace almost every one of their ancestors to one or other of our native pony or riding pony studbooks. However, because they have been selectively bred and performance tested for several generations for their paces, performance talent, soundness and temperament, rather than for breed type or show ring potential, they are now more like a small warmblood competition horse than a cross-bred pony and their proven record of wins at top junior international level is increasingly making them the first choice for keen children, parents, trainers and sponsors.

Why do we need a Sports Pony Studbook?
As interest in these ponies has grown, not only schoolmaster geldings but also graded stallions, approved mares and younger ungraded colts and fillies have been imported and a number of enthusiasts have begun to breed from them. To date, however, it has been impossible to register the vast majority of these ponies or their progeny in the main section of any stud book and no organisation has existed to grade or approve the ponies as breeding stock in the European manner. The Sports Pony Studbook Society (SPSS) has been formed to fill this gap and we are currently grading and licensing some exceptional breeding stock from European team ponies to youngsters with sports potential.

What ponies are eligible for registration with the SPSS?
ALL stallions and mares already graded into a recognised European or American sports pony or warmblood pony stud book are automatically eligible for entry into the SPSS stud book. All stallions and mares with pedigree papers from all other recognised pony stud books (both British and foreign) that successfully attend a SPSS grading will also enter the studbook. Progeny of stallions and mares in the SPSS (apart from pure-bred offspring eligible for the stud books of one of the indigenous Mountain and Moorland breeds of the UK) will receive SPSS papers and may attend grading in due course. If successful they will enter the SPSS stud book as approved breeding stallions and mares in their own right. We particularly welcome registration and grading enquiries from British-bred pony stallions and mares with a proven competition record as children's mounts as the SPSS committee attaches great importance to the development of a child-friendly pony that also has true sports talent.

How can you find out more?
If you would like to register your pony with the SPSS, or would like to help us with this exciting development in British breeding, please call the Secretary:

Sarah Steggall on 07721 766210
email: Bernwode@ukonline.co.uk

You can also contact the other committee
members as follows :-

Celia Clarke on 01280 812281
email: celia@cwath.demon.co.uk

Sara Somerset on 01903 830355
email: Longdean.Stud@farmline.com

Erika Klien on 01494 837370

Edith Rutherford on 01558 685693
e-mail: Edith.Rutherford@btinternet.com