THE GERMAN RIDING PONY
The German Riding Pony (Deutsches Reitpony) is intended to be in type similar to a small version of a Warmblood but with the type and character of a pony. The height limit for pony competitions is 149 cm in Australia and in Europe. In Europe smaller adults compete German Riding Ponies (over and under 149cm) successfully in open competition against horses.
The German Riding Pony was developed In the sixties when the German breeding associations and pony breeders decided to create a pony breed that would be suitable for children to compete at national and international competitions in all disciplines. In 1965 the breeding of the German Riding Pony began and first attempts to cross thoroughbred to fjord or Arabian to Haflinger did not lead to the desired results. The type really began to be established when German pony breeders imported British ponies from England. They began to cross the British pony, particularly Welsh ponies, to Arabs, Anglo-Arabians and Thoroughbreds. By 1975 a German Riding Pony type was developed which has a small head, large and lively eyes with small ears, a clean throat latch, a long, well-set neck, pronounced withers and long croup. The movement should be correct, rhythmic and elastic with distinct impulsion from the hindquarters. The systematic selection of the breed over the first twenty years has led to a pony that is athletic, elegant and trainable.
There now exists a raft of performance tests for German Riding Pony stallions and mares, such as the stallion and mare licensing aimed at maintaining the quality of the breed. Only stallions that are approved to be licensed are entered into the German stud book with the best being awarded a premium title. German Riding Pony mares are also tested and entered into a stud book.
In Australia we are lucky enough that a number of quality stallions and mares have been imported that will have a huge impact on Pony Dressage in years to come.
The German Riding Pony was developed In the sixties when the German breeding associations and pony breeders decided to create a pony breed that would be suitable for children to compete at national and international competitions in all disciplines. In 1965 the breeding of the German Riding Pony began and first attempts to cross thoroughbred to fjord or Arabian to Haflinger did not lead to the desired results. The type really began to be established when German pony breeders imported British ponies from England. They began to cross the British pony, particularly Welsh ponies, to Arabs, Anglo-Arabians and Thoroughbreds. By 1975 a German Riding Pony type was developed which has a small head, large and lively eyes with small ears, a clean throat latch, a long, well-set neck, pronounced withers and long croup. The movement should be correct, rhythmic and elastic with distinct impulsion from the hindquarters. The systematic selection of the breed over the first twenty years has led to a pony that is athletic, elegant and trainable.
There now exists a raft of performance tests for German Riding Pony stallions and mares, such as the stallion and mare licensing aimed at maintaining the quality of the breed. Only stallions that are approved to be licensed are entered into the German stud book with the best being awarded a premium title. German Riding Pony mares are also tested and entered into a stud book.
In Australia we are lucky enough that a number of quality stallions and mares have been imported that will have a huge impact on Pony Dressage in years to come.
