These rules/guidelines are aimed to assist show secretaries; Judges and exhibitors participating at shows affiliated to the Welsh Pony and Cob Society and should take precedence over other societies’ rules when WPCS Medals are being awarded.
5. AFFILIATION
5.1. WPCS Medals can only be awarded at shows affiliated to the Society.
5.2. All shows affiliating to the Welsh Pony & Cob Society must have agreed to abide by the Rules and Recommendations of the Society.
5.3. In Hand medal Judges must be chosen from the WPCS Judges Panel.
5.4. Ridden Welsh classes must be Judged by a WPCS Ridden Panel Judge.
5.5. Schedules for all affiliated shows where In-Hand or Performance Medals are presented, must be submitted to the Office for approval prior to printing together with the appropriate affiliation forms and affiliation fee of £10.50.
6. GENERAL RULES FOR AFFILIATED SHOWS
6.1. Stallions and Colts
6.1.1. All stallions exhibited in stallion classes must be in possession of a Welsh Pony & Cob Society Licence of Correctness (or acknowledged alternative).
6.1.2. Colts are eligible to be licenced from 1st January of their 2nd year, all colts presented for stallion premiums must be licensed.
6.2. Whips and Canes
No shaft of any whip or cane shall exceed 75cms (30 inches).
6.3. Height
All ponies, 4 years old and over, come under the jurisdiction of the Joint Measurement Board. The following heights apply to the four Sections of the Welsh Stud Book.
| Section A | Welsh Mountain Ponies | Not exceeding | 121.9cm (12.0 hands) |
| Section B | Welsh Ponies | Not exceeding | 137.2cm (13.2 hands) |
| Section C | Welsh Ponies (Cob Type) | Not exceeding | 137.2cm (13.2 hands) |
| Section D | Welsh Cobs | No height limit |
6.4. Freeze Branding
The Society has no objection to Ponies and Cobs being branded and this should not be detrimental to animals in the show or sale ring and is encouraged by the Society.
6.5. Age
Age is calculated from 1st January in the year of birth.
6.6. Soundness
If a Pony/Cob entered in a class is, in the opinion of the Judge, unsound, the Judge shall, at his/her discretion, require the exhibitor to withdraw the animal from that class or place it at the end of the line. The Judge’s decision in this matter is final.
Conduct
6.6.1. Where an unruly animal is likely to cause an accident, the Judge has the power to ask that the animal leaves the ring.
6.6.2. Exhibitors must not remove their ponies from the Ring during judging, without the Judge’s permission. The class ends when the Judge requests the class to be dismissed.
6.6.3. Exhibitors must not show an animal under a Judge who has or has had a financial interest in that particular exhibit, stud fee excluded, (the exhibitor being the owner, lessee or person producing and/or showing the animal).
6.6.4. A Judge may not adjudicate a pony which, to the Judge’s knowledge, was a pony bred, sold, leased or produced by the Judge or his immediate family or employer. If a Judge has reasonable grounds for belief that any part of this rule is being contravened he/she must ask the exhibitor to leave the ring and the exhibitor must withdraw. The Judge’s decision is final in all cases.
6.6.5. A rider, whip or handler must not compete in a class Judged by a person for whom he/she has ridden, driven or produced or shown in hand during the previous 12 months.
6.6.6. An exhibitor or producer must not enter any animal in a class under a Judge who has produced an animal for that exhibitor within the previous 12 months. (12 months being from the last day the animal was shown/produced by that person).
6.6.7. Substitutions and nomination of entries are not allowed.
6.6.8. Substitution of handlers in Welsh classes is not permitted without the permission of the Judge.
6.7. Trimming for Shows
6.7.1. The Welsh Breeds are a Native Breed and too much trimming and pulling detracts from their native characteristics. Pure bred animals registered in Sections A, B, C, D must be shown in as natural a state as possible, manes and tails must not be plaited with the exception of an optional single plait behind the ear.
6.7.2. Animals, 3 years old and under including foals must not be body clipped for showing purposes. Long hair under the jawline and those protruding from the ears may be trimmed off leaving as natural a line as possible. The whiskers around the muzzle may be trimmed.
6.7.3. Animals 4 years old or over, which have been clipped for winter activities can be shown. Fresh clipping for spring shows is not permissible. Judges must take special note of this. Legs must not be clipped. Long hair under the jawline and those protruding from the ears may be trimmed off leaving as natural a line as possible. The whiskers around the muzzle may be trimmed.
6.7.4. If the mane and tail are very thick, they can be discreetly thinned to show off the topline and the hindquarters. The tail should look natural and should not be “banged” (leveled off square).
6.7.5. Artificial changes to the original markings of an animal as recorded on the Passport will not be allowed, nor the addition of false manes and tails.
6.7.6. Welsh Part-Bred animals should preferably be plaited but this is optional.
