WHILE there was much to celebrate for Irish pony riders and owners at Fontainebleau, there was also some disappointment in the Irish camp as five Irish ponies measured out at the FEI show last Sunday.

Speaking to The Irish Field, the Belgian veterinary surgeon who helped carry out the measuring of the Irish ponies at Fontainebleau, Frederic Eperjessy, confirmed that five Irish ponies, along with one Austrian pony, measured out at the French venue. Eperjessy said he was aware of “no changes in regulations to pony measuring in Fontainebleau”, stating he was “employed by the FEI to measure ponies” and stressed that he “measured according to the guidelines set by the FEI.”

According to FEI documents (FEI 2018 Veterinary Regulations (page 60)), “ponies’ regulatory height at the withers must not exceed 148.0cms without shoes.”

Ponies being measured at FEI events are given a height allowance; their height at the withers must not exceed 150.0cms without shoes or 151.0cms with shoes. In the case of an appeal, the pony must be presented for the Appeal Measurement without shoes and its height at the withers must not exceed 148.0cms.

One source involved in ponies for many years commented: “We need to take account that these classes are for 148cms ponies and we are given a 3cms allowance to measure. These classes are not for 150cms ponies. If we don’t take note of this, I feel that there are going to be a lot more disappointments.”

The FEI pre-announced pony measuring at Fontainebleau. “The FEI regulations on how ponies are measured remain unchanged, however there is one change in that the FEI reserves the right to carry out unannounced pony measuring.

"The FEI makes all of its rules available online and on mobile via the FEI RuleApp. This App is especially useful for athletes and their teams, and is designed specifically for our travelling community,” said an FEI spokesperson.

The criteria laid down by Horse Sport Ireland stated that all ponies intended to travel had to be measured by HSI’s pony team veterinarian at the final training, which was held on Sunday, April 1st at Barnadown.

A HSI spokesperson said: “Pony measuring at international events is administered by the FEI Veterinary Department. Ponies having measured out are not permitted to compete in the event and any future FEI Pony events until an appeal measurement has been carried out and the pony has measured in.

"The person responsible (PR) or their representative may request, in writing, an appeal measurement for ponies having measured out at an FEI event or at an out-of-competition measurement.

"The appeal request must reach the FEI Veterinary Department within seven days of the conclusion of the event or out-of-competition measurement. The National Federation acts as the intermediary between the PR and the FEI during the appeals process.”

APPEAL PROCESS

An FEI spokesperson confirmed that there were no appeals received as of April 18th but said there is still a narrow window – midnight tomorrow (Sunday) – to receive one before time expires.

FEI rules state: “The person responsible (PR) or their representative may request, in writing, an Appeal Measurement for Ponies having Measured Out at an FEI Event or at an Out-of-Competition Measurement. The Appeal request must reach the FEI Veterinary Department within seven days of the conclusion of the Event or Out-of-Competition Measurement.

"The Appeal Measurement must be carried out as soon as possible and within a maximum of 40 working days following receipt of the written request. The Pony must be available at any time during this time period.”

The FEI spokesperson added: “So in this case, the final day of the competition was Sunday, April 15th. The seven-day appeal time span is April 16th - 22nd (midnight).”

FEI National Head Veterinarian Dr Dermot Forde said: “I am not aware of the details of the current case, but I know that it’s open to pony owners to appeal a negative decision under FEI rules. Consequently it would be wrong of me to comment, except to say that people producing or purchasing a potential international pony should satisfy themselves absolutely that the ponies are within the permitted height levels.”