I keep seeing ads for six year old ponies advertised as having a permanent measurement card. My understanding is they still have to be 8 (USEF age, not birthday) to get a permanent card. Has this changed in the last year or so?
Some of these ads are from well know pony trainers/breeders. Surely I’m the one missing something here? I can’t figure it out!
I thought it was 6
well it appears both ages are correct depending upon division
DR 135 for Dressage states age 8
Measurement may be required yearly until the pony has reached the age of 8 years
https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/wKTdMWNZ4z0/pony-measurement-form
GR 501 states age 6
All ponies must be measured annually until six years of age. Until six years of age, ponies must be issued a card designating the year measured. Ponies six years of age and older must be issued a measurement card which does not have to be renewed.
https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/2RtnwVIaoXY/gr5-measurement-of-entries
so, both ages are correct?
We just had a Dressage pony measured, she was issued a temporary card (one year)
I believe the rule went up to eight years old for permanent cards for hunters and hunter ponies for a relatively short time. Then it went back down to six years of age.
I think there was also a rule change proposal under discussion that said junior hunters would only need a measurement card if they wanted to show in the small junior hunter division. That would save stewards and exhibitors the trouble of measuring all the giant warmbloods that want to do the large junior division.
I’m not sure of the status on that rule change proposal, but it seems pretty logical to me.
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The Junior Hunter measurement rule goes into effect 12/1. You’ll only need to get a Junior Hunter measured if you want to show in the Small Juniors.
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The rule was changed back to six years from eight. Here is the rule:
GR517 Conditions
An owner or trainer may request an official measurement for a pony six (6) years or over provided: a) the pony has never been shown in a Licensed Competition; b) has never been declared ineligible for a division on account of height; or c) has had a bona fide transfer of ownership.
Definitely, especially given all the large horses that use the juniors as an equitation warm-up at some shows.
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you left the last line of GR517 off stating
(GR507 does not apply to Dressage pony measurements. See DR135.)
© USEF 2022 GR5 - page 3
DR135 states eight years for Combine Driving and Dressage Ponies
Purposely left out because this is the Hunter jumper forum and I figured the OP was asking about a Hunter jumper pony! 
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Thanks all! With a long gap between young ponies I had missed the change back to 6 for a permanent card. Good news that what I thought would be a temp card this winter can be a one and done.
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Sending positive thoughts for 12.1 7/8/13.1 7/8, or a 14.1 7/8 measurement!
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This is one of my favorite posts ever! 
