Adults showing ponies

[BlackPony]

I recently acquired a fantastic pony that I hope to move towards the hunter ring. She’s coming 5, should finish a large medium or small large (13.1 and a bit right now), super easy to train, and will pack a kid around to the best of her knowledge and ability. Really, I quite like this little pony.

Her only problem is me. I’ve never had a pony. And… never really paid attention to the classes and requirements until now. I’ve looked at the rulebook, but could someone make sure that I have all of this right?

1. She’s not eligible for her permanent pony card until she’s 6 years old, and until then she has to get measured once a year at a show? Is this for all shows? If I go to a local show, do I need to get her measured? Are measurement cards only done at A or AA rated shows? I tried to look it up in the rulebook, but am not 100% sure on local/C/B/A/AA relationships for this.

2. Their “green” seems very important. I will not break this as long as I don’t show her above her class height? For example, if in January she’s measured at 13.1 and is a medium that year, I must show her below 2’6", or if she measures at 13.2, 3’?

3. I can’t show her in children’s classes. But I can show her in say, the schooling hunters, low hunters, amateur adults, or jumper classes, right? And if I find a kid to ride her in a show, they can ride in children’s classes lower than her height limit as long as I don’t ride at the same show, and still not break her green?

I don’t think I’m going to show her until the new year, and will likely start at local shows, putter around at C shows, and hopefully sell her on to someone who will either enjoy her there or polish her off for some nicer shows (I’m not sure if I’m interested in all that, so likely won’t show her there). She could go either way, so I don’t want to break a rule and mess it up for her.

Thank you so much in advance!

[roamingnome]

You won’t need a pony card, as you won’t be showing the pony in pony classes.

If you decide to let a child ride the pony in children’s hunter pony classes, yes, you will need a card. This can be done by a steward at the show (USEF rated show, you won’t need a card for a local show).

I would practice sticking the pony, as it will be much easier to sell a 13.1 7/8 medium, than a 13.2 1/8 large.

[hunterrider23]

And the pony can be exactly 13.2 and that’s still a medium. If she’s 13.1 as a 5 year older, she’ll probably measure as a medium or can be made to by pulling shoes and making sure she’s not nervous when measured. Green status is really important for ponies, so keep her showing under 2’6" or even under 2’3" just to be safe. That’s only at rated shows though, feel free to show at 2’6" at schooling shows. Local shoes may not need measurements, it just depends on the show. She doesn’t need to be measured until she does a pony division but get her a card for the year whenever you can, just in case.

[MHM]

Permanent card now is at the age of 8, I believe.

Also, if you plan to get the pony measured at a USEF show, touch base in advance with the show manager. The USEF steward has to measure the pony with the show vet, who might not be at the show the whole time, depending on the show. They may have to plan on a time.

[MHM]

Also, at any USEF show, the height restriction for green ponies applies to all classes with any rider, not just pony classes.

From the USEF rule book:
HU 104.3. Ponies who have not broken their Green Status must jump less than their regulation height in open classes or their Green Status will be broken.

[BlackPony]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate all the help!