I have a 14.13/4ish pony that has a temporary measurement card from when I purchased him as a 7 year old. He’s now 8 and I’d like to show him a bit just for fun (yes, I know we won’t win with an adult on a pony, and I’ll be careful to keep his green status), but would also like him to have his permanent card in case my daughter ever wants to show him when she moves up to a large. I’ll be going to rated shows with my trainer, and understand I can make arrangements to have him measured when I’m at a show.
My question- He is just under 14.2. I’m slightly concerned that if he is tense he won’t measure with his shoes on. If I take him to measure and he is over, do I have to accept that measurement, or can I just try again at the next show with more prep? I’d like to avoid pulling shoes/lunging etc if we can help it, but on the other hand I don’t want to be stuck with a hony and kicking myself for not taking it more seriously! Anyone know if I’ll be stuck with hony, have to go through appeals, or can just try again?
Take it very, very, very seriously on the first try. Practice a lot at home with a measuring stick and a stranger, so he does not get tense and grow an inch when the steward walks up to him. Make sure he is mellow about the whole procedure. Personally, I would say if there is any doubt whatsoever, pull the shoes and trim him to be on the safe side.
Unless they have changed the relevant rules recently, you only get one shot at a measurement once the animal is eight years old, and that is what the card says forevermore, unless you are protested at a show by another exhibitor, or undergo the appeal process, which sounds complicated.
The other option is to attend a show where the show veterinarian will not be there. When that happens, the steward will measure the pony with the judge, and the card is only good for that one specific show. Many (many!) more details are in the rules from HJ 136-144, give or take. From the rule book:
- Measurements must be performed by a steward and the official competition veterinarian. The official competition veterinarian must confirm the age of the horse or pony and that it was jogged and is serviceably sound. Upon the official competition veterinarian’s verification of soundness, the steward’s measurement is final. The steward and the official competition veterinarian shall sign the measurement form. A steward may not measure a horse or pony that is owned by a member of his family or by any of his or his family member’s clients. (See GR1039.4)
a. Written reports of every measurement or attempt to measure must be sent to the Federation’s Lexington, KY office together with the Steward’s Report, or the steward will be subject to charges and penalties per Chapters GR6 and GR7.
b. The steward shall be either a steward officiating at the competition or a steward authorized in writing to conduct the measurement by the Federation CEO or his designee. If the official competition veterinarian is not present at the competition, or not available when on call (see GR1210.3) the measurement may be conducted by a steward and a judge officiating at the competition, or another steward officiating at the competition; however, the measurement will be for the purposes of that competition only and no measurement card will be issued. Measurement forms will be sent to the Federation, but will not be given to the owner. (Exception: Exhibitors will not be penalized by having points withheld for measurement forms that are incorrectly filled out by USEF stewards and/ or competition management and/or competition veterinarians.
I will add that if the pony was measured by the previous owner, you have no way of knowing how much effort they put into getting him measured at that height.
Thank you very much! Sounds like we are going to be putting in some work to do this right. He got his temporary card as a 7 year old when he was still with his breeder. I can only assume she knows all the tricks to get her measurements, and I will need to do the same. Thanks again.
Practice positioning the stick and level. Pratice and measure at different times of the day, sometimes fresh, sometimes after working him, hot days, cool days and note where he is in the shoeing cycle. Write those down or store that data. Soon you will get an idea of the range of height you get in each different situation, there will likely be 1/4" difference, maybe a bit more or less. If they are tense, scared and upset over anything, they blow up like a ballon, don’t let that bite you. Pony cannot be sore from a last minute pull and trim and can be drug checked so those shortcuts will not work…not that some don’t try. But they are much more aware of such tricks lately.
After they really get used to the procedure and relax, it will get more consistent. Should tell you if he’s an easy, no prep measure or you need to do a little prep…by that I mean work him, pick a warm day or pull the shoes.
Be be aware that they sometimes announce Pony measuring at a certain time and place. Then change it due to vet availability so the practice you do at home is very, very important so everybody is cool. You need to also be entered and show in at least one class, little advance planning and alot of practice.
Some trainers can help you with this, they are specialists and quite good at it. They have official sticks too, that’s a big help.
