WITH clarity called for on whether the five Irish ponies which recently measured out at Fontainebleau CSIOP, CSIP, CSIYP, should be allowed to compete on the national circuit, Showjumping Ireland issued a statement to The Irish Field.

The National Pony Committee chairman John McNamara and the National Veterinary Committee chairman Ivan McDonogh provided this collective response.

“We understand that the ponies which attended the FEI Appeal Measuring at UCD Veterinary Hospital, whilst not achieving the height required by such appeals, each measured at heights which would have allowed them to compete in FEI competitions.

“The ponies are compliant with the rules pertaining to SJI measuring and in the circumstances, we would not wish to comment any further at this time.”

RULES

When asked what were the SJI rules pertaining to SJI measuring, the SJI responded: “The ponies are compliant with our rules re-measuring which extend from article 312N to 322N.”

According to the FEI document FINAL 2018 proposed Veterinary Regulations (p60), “Ponies’ regulatory height at the withers must not exceed 148.0cm without shoes.

Ponies being measured at FEI Events are given a height allowance; their height at the withers must not exceed 150.0cm without shoes or 151.0cm with shoes.

On appeal, the pony must be presented for the Appeal Measurement without shoes and its height at the withers must not exceed 148.0cm.”

ALLOWANCE

Questions have being raised on the height allowance afforded to ponies in competition including that if these five ponies are still fit and in competition mode, should the appeal not afford these ponies the height allowance?

Many would say that measuring ponies who are in competition creates a different set of circumstances, which may lead to fluctuation in height and so a small allowance is granted.

The Irish Field is not aware of any legal challenges made by parties in this matter.