<GASP> the official measurement might be wrong? You know there was a time when that occurred oh just every once in a blue moon on the hunter circuit for a whole variety <wink> of reasons. I’m not implying that anything nefarious occurred with respect to your pony’s measurement; but, mistakes among the officials certainly have occurred…I doubt the change through the years from AHSA to USEF got them any closer to God 
and perfection.
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I am FIRMLY convinced the measurement was bad. I am also firmly convinced it was nothing dirty, nothing nefarious, just human error.
I just had a trainer measure him that works with a ton of official carded hunter ponies - she took one look at him and said I’m going to guess he’s 14.2 - and he measured at just under 14.2 when she measured him (and he has shoes). I told her the official measurement was 151.5 - or 14.3 2/3. She said it was BS. I’ve also taken a tape measure to my own stick - and either my tape is also bad, or the stick is accurate! We measured ME - and it was accurate too.
I also found out that Pony’s dam was only 13 hands - she was a grade pony, but she was SMALL. So genetically - he has a 13 hand dam and a 14.2 hand sire. It COULD happen, of course, that he would be 15 hands, but odds are more likely he is 14.2.
I just can’t decide if it is worth the $250 to fight this- for a few Pony Awards? But it is worth an email to the new USEF Director…
Just a thought… is this the only time the pony has been measured immediately post exercise?
I know human body builders ‘pump up’ to be bigger pre-judging.
Could the exercise have pumped-up (inflated) the muscles in the pony’s neck-base & withers & back enough to get the 15h measurement?
Was the measuring done on a smooth hard surface?
Pay the money and get the pony remeasured. Hire a pro that will call out the person measuring if they are doing it incorrectly.
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The common element that I see is that none of the other measurements were done with an official measuring stick. Perhaps you could have one of those people borrow an official stick and measure before going through the expense of a remeasure.
“I also found out that Pony’s dam was only 13 hands - she was a grade pony, but she was SMALL. So genetically - he has a 13 hand dam and a 14.2 hand sire. It COULD happen, of course, that he would be 15 hands, but odds are more likely he is 14.2.”
Does that mean Julie was able to help you out? I will say that yes, it’s possible given the genetics in the sire’s background to get a 15 hand offspring from the cross but the odds aren’t for it. I’ve done the 15 hand stallion to 13 hand mare a few times and though the 13 hand mare had a lot of small (12.3 - 13.2) in her background her sire was 14.3 hands and her two of her grand sires were 15 hands. So far no one out of her and by the 15 hand stud ever broke 14.2. When bred to another C, she produced below 13.2 too. I think AZ TD gave an excellent suggestion. I’m betting you can find someone with a regulation stick, even if you just pay them an ‘exam’ fee, it would perhaps give you more assurance that your $250 was well spent.
Yes, thank you - she knew a bit about the dam, and helped me find a prior owner who I’ve reached out to 
She didn’t breed Pony, so she didn’t know a LOT about him, but at least it is a start… And yes, I understand the craziness of genetics.
I am going to a show in 2 weekends, and was going to ask the TD if they would do an “unofficial” measurement. The only official sticks are those owned by TDs, and we don’t have any TDs within a few hours of me, but I figured this would be a chance if she is willing. I HAD reached out to a TD I know to do an unofficial measure at another show, but it would be outside of the 45 day window. No one else owns these regulation sticks except for TDs! Even at the WB (stallion) inspections, they use the kind of stick I own, not the USEF stick:eek:
The problem (as I mentioned above) is no one uses those “official” sticks. Except TDs. So borrowing one isn’t possible unless there is a TD in the neighborhood.
Hire a pro? I have never seen such a person at a dressage show - in the Hunter World, maybe, but in dressage? And what does THAT cost? Reality is - I don’t have a deep budget, I do everything on my own so I can participate in this sport. As it is, $250 is a huge outlay - that is almost two shows! Or all my memberships for the year. Some of us do this sport on a shoestring budget. And this is one big reason membership is slipping - not anything to do with Pony Measurement, but everything to do with why dressage membership is not growing - it has gotten too expensive. A whole 'nother thread…
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Any trainers attending or in your area that you can do a lesson with on how to make sure pony is setup correctly for measurements? $250.00 is a lot especially since it was due to someone else’s mistake. I truly understand showing/horsekeeping on a budget and wish you luck on your decision.
I would contact the TD ahead of time… (unless there are specifically pony classes) and make sure he/she brings the stick. Unless the show offers pony classes, I doubt many would pay to fly the stick with them unless they needed it.
If you protest and it turns out that the official measurement was incorrect, do you get your $250 back? If so, you rolls the dice and you takes your chances! Good Luck!
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If you have him officially measured again, remove his shoes and have him trimmed not more than a week before.
Good luck!
With shoes, they give an extra centimeter - and you have to trot them out sound for an official measurement. He’s been in shoes his entire life, I am not sure he’d trot sound without - and I’m not sure his feet would stand up to a week on my hard, rocky property!
Nope, no refunds on the $250!
Good idea! I just sent a message to the show manager to ask the TD if they are willing to do an unofficial measure.
Thanks everyone!
