I come from dressage and eventer land and have little understanding of how ponies work in the h/j world. I have read through equestrian Canada’s rules but am so unfamiliar with the different divisions.
I own a pony that will finish as a large, and am an adult amateur. It seems to read that only juniors of a certain age can show ponies of certain sizes?
I don’t know anything about Canada, but yes…juniors show ponies not adults. Sometimes there are little divisions at local shows that offer 2’ classes or something that adults can show green ponies in, but definitely not in the rateds.
Not sure about Canada, but in the US, there are rated breed pony shows (Welsh, Connemara, etc) where adults do show ponies alongside kids. In those situations, fence height is determined by the size of the pony, not the age of the rider.
In the pony divisions, fence height is always determined by the size of the pony. Adults cannot show ponies in the pony divisions. They are restricted to juniors. In most cases, adults can show ponies in all other divisions they are eligible for, as long as they are not also showing in the pony division.
Just be advised that if you show in an amateur division against horses, your pony will be expected to make the horse strides in the lines. 
Adults can ride ponies in any class EXCEPT those classes set aside for ponies. As mentioned above, it may be hard to get down the lines. I personally have ridden a large pony who was shown in non-pony classes who got down the lines fine-obviously an exception though.
In Canada, adult amateurs can show large ponies only in rated hunters,and in classes over fences up to 3’. If an adult is showing the pony, a junior cannot show the same pony at that show.
Hope that helps. If you’re reading the EC rulebook, make sure you’re looking at the Hunter/Jumper/Eq/Hack portion (section G). Here are the actual words from the book - it’s in Section G, Part 2, Chapter 2:
ARTICLE G201 GENERAL
The Jumpers section does not actually specify anything about adults on ponies. The only reference to ponies is specifically discussing pony jumper divisions, which are open to juniors only. However, the amateur divisions 1.0m and up specifically say “horse” so if you want to show a pony, you should check with EC as the rulebook does generally distinguish between “horse” and “pony” throughout.
Thank you SO much! Unlikely to make the lines but at least could go in and give the pony some experience
In the US, the juniors who show in the Open Rated Ponies are further restricted by Pony size. Think it’s 12 in the Smalls and 14 in the Mediums, anybody under 18 in the Larges or Greens of any size. Further complicating that is it’s their age as of Dec 1 when each show year starts.
Also have to remember that there are juniors, any rider who has not reached their 18th birthday as of Dec 1 of that show year and there are the Junior Hunter and Junior Jumper divisions-same age, much bigger fences 3"3" or 3’6" for Hunters, around 4’ for Jumpers. IIRC, Canada is pretty similar.
Sometimes you need a translator…
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