First Time A Show - Pony Card ??

[Sulta]

So, my daughter is going to her first A show in a couple weeks, to show in jumpers. She's riding a large pony - but is not chasing points. We're just looking for the experience. So, I've been scouring the rule books - but can't find the answer to:

If we're just doing an open jumper class, not pony jumpers, do we need a measurement card?

I know we need Owner, Rider, Trainer and Horse USEF #'s or to pay non-member fees .... sigh. And also USHJA fees...sigh

Thanks

[poltroon]

You only need the pony card if you're in a class restricted to ponies.

[skyy]

But, since you're going to the show and your pony is entered in it, you may want to try to get your pony card while you're there. I believe that you can't try to get a card unless your pony is entered in that show and a lot of shows don't always have the necessary personnel around all day to do the pony card (you need a steward and a vet I believe).

[Sulta]

Is there a cost for the pony card? I thought I read there was, but then someone told me there wasn't. I can't find the manual that says if there is or isn't.

[slp]

There is no cost for a measurement card as far as I know. Check at the office for the time and place that the steward and vet will be doing the measurements, I am pretty sure the office should have the required paperwork as well.

[poniejumper]

I THINK there is a fee for measurement but not sure if I'm remembering correctly. But I do believe that you need to be entered into a height restricted class to be measured. So to get carded at this show you would need to enter either a pony hunter, childrens pony hunter, or pony jumper class.

[HowDoILook]

I just had my pony carded a few weeks ago. There is no fee for it. I was showing him in the childrens hunter ponies. But we also had a special hunter get measured the same day, so I dont think there is a height restriction as the above poster said. You just need to be entered at the show so you are under all the same rules as competitors (drug testing...)

[mroades]

No fee IF you and the pony are joined fully to USEF and USHJA

[joiedevie99]

Yup- pony just needs to be entered in a class (any class) at the show and all memberships have to be paid up.

[poltroon]

I just got a dressage card and a hunter/jumper card for my pony.

The pony card is free. The pony's owner must be a USEF member. The pony can be HID only.

The pony must be entered in a class, but it does not have to be a height-restricted class. Mine wasn't.

If there's not a vet on duty at the show, they will have to call a vet to watch the ponies jog. As I understand it, if the vet is being paid to be there anyway, there's no per pony fee, but if the vet is coming special to measure, then there may be a fee for the vet. This will vary by show, so if it matters, ask in advance. (I paid the vet $30 for mine.)

It takes some time to do. Figure half an hour to an hour for all the paperwork, standing in line, etc, and it will be at their convenience rather than yours, so it's good to do at a show with plenty of downtime.

If your pony is younger (under 6 for hunters or under 8 for dressage), you'll need to be remeasured every year, so if you don't expect to need the card this year, you might not bother. On the other hand, if eligible for a permanent card, it's nice to get it done and over with.

If your pony is at all a hard measure - close to a boundary at 12.2, 13.2, 14.2 - you won't want to go into it casually. Think about how long it's been since the last farrier visit, if the pony is fuzzy, if he'll be tense and worried about the measurement process. What you don't want to do is fail to prepare and then get a measurement at 14.3.

(I, on the other hand, was hoping my pony would measure a little TALLER, and I only got an extra 1/8 past her breed inspection measurement. :D )

[showmom858]

When we got a pony card for the pony my DD use to have a couple of years ago there was not a charge. In order for the pony to be measured for the card he had to be entered in the show. Since your pony is going to show you should go ahead and get the pony card while you are there.

Make sure to practice with the measuring stick at home so that your pony knows what to expect.

[0ttb]

I'm currently looking for a pony jumper right now and've been looking into some younger prospects, so this topic has been very helpful! Just a few questions though...
- When you say your pony has to be entered in the show to be measured, can you enter pony classes, and then get measured before your class? Or would you have to enter generic classes if the process takes longer?
- What happens if your pony say, measures at 14.3. Can you try to be remeasured in a few months? Or do you have to wait for a specific period of time before trying again?
- Last one, are you absolutely sure that it's free? I was talking about it with the owner of a show barn that I ride ponies for, and she said it cost a couple hundred dollars. Not quite sure what she was talking about after reading this thread.

Thanks.

[findeight]

Some shows charge because they need a vet to supervise the jog-if they have one on call only and not on the property-they will have to pay his call fee and for his time.

You can enter any class but would need the card before you could actually show in a height restricted class. You can scratch, too. Don't have to actually go in the ring, just enter a class and pay the various fees and charges.

If the Pony measures too big, you can appeal but imagine that would involve a fee and lock you into a time frame for the remeasure.

Cannot overstate the fact this is serious business. The very best thing you can do is contact a Pro in your area with Pony experience and pay them for their advice and time. Haul the Pony to them and let them measure with an approved stick to get an honest idea of the Pony's height and determine your best plan of action. DO NOT just guestimate the height and show up for a measure.

Funny... when,you go horse shopping they are always 2 inches shorter then advertised...but Ponies can be 1 to 2 inches taller, especially the ones with no card. It can add a zero on the price tag-or take one away. BE CAREFUL when buying.

[Sulta]

Thanks for all the responses! Our trainer's done the pony measuring process before, but I figured I'd get a quicker answer from you this morning.

My guy measures 14.1 to 14.1 1/2, depending on shoes, so it shouldn't be a tricky measure...and he's pretty laid back, but Murphy's law says that he'll grow an inch that day :lol:.

Now, I just need to decide if I feel like paying all the USEF/USHJA fees right now.:)

[poltroon]

Cannot overstate the fact this is serious business. The very best thing you can do is contact a Pro in your area with Pony experience and pay them for their advice and time. Haul the Pony to them and let them measure with an approved stick to get an honest idea of the Pony's height and determine your best plan of action. DO NOT just guestimate the height and show up for a measure.

I was very appreciative of the steward who noted that I was obviously an amateur with no experience with pony measurement, and before she saw the pony (when I was getting the forms) she quizzed me on these points - did my pony need a farrier before she was measured, how tall did I expect her to be, etc. I thought it was very helpful and kind that she made sure I understood what I was doing and the implications once the pony was presented.

In my case, the pony already had an official measurement for her breed registration, so I had a pretty good idea of how it would turn out.

[poltroon]

Thanks for all the responses! Our trainer's done the pony measuring process before, but I figured I'd get a quicker answer from you this morning.

My guy measures 14.1 to 14.1 1/2, depending on shoes, so it shouldn't be a tricky measure...and he's pretty laid back, but Murphy's law says that he'll grow an inch that day :lol:.

Now, I just need to decide if I feel like paying all the USEF/USHJA fees right now.:)

At 14.1 1/2, I would say you do need to be paying attention. An excited pony, overdue shoes and unlevel ground could combine badly. The actual measuring did take some time, as the steward was carefully assessing the ground and the two bubbles for level, so although my pony started laid back, by the end she was moving around and getting pretty suspicious. They want the pony in a very precise position - square, on the levelest piece of ground, with the neck horizontal (and in our case, immediately adjacent to some extremely delicious looking grass). After watching that, I would school my pony by putting a stick on her for 5 minutes or so and feeding her carrots with her neck level the whole time.