In the ring
NATIVE PONIES WILL descend on Stoneleigh Park for the SEIB Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland (M&M) final at Your Horse Live on Friday 9 November. (See show preview, p86.) There have been five qualifiers, with the top three in each securing a place in the final. So, what will the judges be looking for?
Correct way of going
Experienced native producers and judges Robin Avery and his partner Chris Patrick assessed the ponies in the first qualifier at Osbaldeston in April, with Robin inspecting conformation and Chris judging performance. “The way of going is very important,” says Robin. “We look for balanced, rhythmical, uphill paces and ponies not being pushed out of their natural stride. They should also show a good lengthening of stride. “We want something that is true to type, with straight movement and a good example of its breed.
TOP TIP
“Keep your individual show short and simple,” says Robin. “Also, watch a class where professionals are competing and take on board what they do.”
True to type
Native producer and competitor Mathew Lawrence, a former champion at the prestigious M&M final at Olympia, will assess performance at Your Horse Live. “It’s exciting to see another competition for our M&M ponies and at a new venue that will hopefully broaden the interest in these ponies as well as in showing generally,” says Mathew. “It’s a great opportunity for amateurs and those who are just starting out in showing. “I’ll be looking for ponies that are true to type: each should have the correct characteristics and way of going for its breed, so with this in mind it will be fine to judge them all in one class, rather than dividing it between breeds. “I will be weighing up the ponies’ way of going against the best of their breed type.”
TOP TIP
“Know your breed society rules on turnout and trimming, and study the correct way of going for your breed.”
Star quality
Sandy Wooderson, a successful breeder and exhibitor of native ponies for more than 35 years, will judge conformation alongside Mathew at Your Horse Live. “I will be looking for an animal of good breed type that moves well. And, as it is a mixed class, a pony that could hold its own in a breed class,” says Sandy. “The pony must also have a bit of star quality.”
TOP TIP
“It’s important to make the most of your pony in the in-hand section, so I hope that competitors will use the Search for a Star structure [gleaning feedback from the judges to take away and work on at home] to get some tips on in-hand presentation and how to show their pony to its best advantage.”