DESCRIPTION OF WELSH SECTION A

• HEIGHT: Not exceeding 12 hands high (121.9 cm).
• GENERAL CHARACTER: Hardy, spirited and pony-like.
• COLOUR: Any colour, except piebald and skewbald.
• HEAD: Small, clean-cut, well set on and tapering to the muzzle.
• EYES: Bold.
• EARS: Well-placed, small and pointed, well up on the head, proportionately close.
• NOSTRILS: Prominent and open.
• JAWS AND THROAT: Clean and finely-cut, with ample room at the angle of the jaw.
• NECK: Lengthy, well-carried and moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions.
• SHOULDERS: Long and sloping well back. Withers moderately fine, but not "knifey". The humerus upright so that the foreleg is not set in under the body.
• FORELEGS: Set square and true, and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearm, well developed knee, short flat bone below knee, pasterns of proportionate slope and length, feet well-shaped and round, hoofs dense.
• BACK AND LOINS: Muscular, strong and well coupled.
• GIRTH: Deep.
• RIBS: Well sprung.
• HIND QUARTERS: Hocks to be large, flat and clean with points prominent, to turn neither inwards nor outwards. The hind leg not to be too bent. The hock not to be set behind a line from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped, hoofs dense.
• ACTION: Quick, free and straight from the shoulder, knees and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage and well under the body.

DESCRIPTION WELSH PONY SECTION B

• HEIGHT: Not exceeding 13.2 hands high (137.2 cm).
• GENERAL CHARACTER: Hardy, spirited and pony-like.
• COLOUR: Any colour, except piebald and skewbald.
• HEAD: Small, clean-cut, well set on and tapering to the muzzle.
• EYES: Bold.
• EARS: Well-placed, small and pointed, well up on the head, proportionately close.
• NOSTRILS: Prominent and open.
• JAWS AND THROAT: Clean and finely-cut, with ample room at the angle of the jaw.
• NECK: Lengthy, well-carried and moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions.
• SHOULDERS: Long and sloping well back. Withers moderately fine, but not "knifey". The humerus upright so that the foreleg is not set in under the body.
• FORELEGS: Set square and true, and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearm, well developed knee, short flat bone below knee, pasterns of proportionate slope and length, feet well-shaped and round, hoofs dense.
• BACK AND LOINS: Muscular, strong and well coupled.
• GIRTH: Deep.
• RIBS: Well sprung.
• HIND QUARTERS: Hocks to be large, flat and clean with points prominent, to turn neither inwards nor outwards. The hind leg not to be too bent. The hock not to be set behind a line from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped, hoofs dense.
• ACTION: Quick, free and straight from the shoulder, knees and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage and well under the body.

DESCRIPTION WELSH SECTION C & D

• HEIGHT:
• Section C - not exceeding 13.2hh (137.2 cm)
• Section D - should exceed 13.2hh (137.2 cm) but no upper limit
• GENERAL CHARACTER: Strong, hardy and active, with pony character and as much substance as possible.
• COLOUR: Any colour, except piebald and skewbald.
• HEAD: Full of quality and pony character. A coarse head and Roman nose are most objectionable.
• EYES: Bold, prominent and set widely apart.
• EARS: Neat and well set.
• NECK: Lengthy and well carried. Moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions.
• SHOULDERS: Strong but well laid back.
• FORELEGS: Set square and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearms. Knees well developed with an abundance of bone below them. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped. Hoofs dense. When in the rough, a moderate quantity of silky feather is not objected to but coarse wiry hair is a definite objection.
• MIDDLEPIECE: Back and loins, muscular, strong and well-coupled. Deep through the heart and well-ribbed up.
• HIND QUARTERS: Lengthy and strong. Ragged or drooping quarters are objectionable. Tail well-set on.
• HIND LEGS: Second thighs, strong and muscular. Hocks, large, flat and clean, with points prominent, turning neither inwards nor outwards. The hind legs must not be too bent and the hock not set behind a line falling from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped. Hoofs dense.
• ACTION: Free, true and forcible. The knee should be bent and the whole foreleg should be extended straight from the shoulder and as far forward as possible in the trot. Hocks flexed under the body with straight and powerful leverage.

SHOWING GUIDELINES FOR ALL WELSH

1. Trimming
   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 a single long plait behind the ear.
   Welsh Part-Breds should preferably be plaited but this is optional.
   Animals 3 years old and under must not be body clipped for showing purposes. 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 notes of this. Legs must not be clipped.
2. Dress
   Handlers must, at all times, present themselves in the show ring neatly and smartly dressed.
3. Markings
   Deliberate changes to the original markings of an animal as recorded on the registration certificate will not be allowed.
4. 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. Measurements are not to be rounded up to nearest cm.
   
   Section A, Welsh Mountain Ponies: Not exceeding 12.0 hands (121.9 cm)
   Section B, Welsh Ponies: Not exceeding 13.2 hands (137.2 cm)
   Section C, Welsh Ponies (Cob Type): Not exceeding 13.2 hands (137.2 cm)
   Section D, Welsh Cobs: No height limit
   
   Half an inch will be allowed in height for shoeing.
   
   Heights recommended for "on the day of the show" for sections A, B & C

5. Trimming Hints:
   The Welsh breeds are a Native breed and too much trimming and pulling detracts from their native characteristics.
   
   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.
   
   If the mane and tail is 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. In-Hand Tack
   Youngstock may be shown in a white webbing or rope show halter, leather head collar or show bridle.
   Mares/Geldings four years old or over may be shown in a white webbing or rope show halter, leather head collar, show bridle or riding bridle.
   Colts/Stallions two years old or over should be suitably bitted.
   The use of stallion Show Tack is optional.
7. Ridden Tack
   Saddle: Close fitting and comfortable. The use of a plain coloured numnah is optional.
   Bridle: A snaffle or double bridle or pelham. Cavesson noseband, plain brow band, not brass as with in-hand bridles.
   No extra tack to be worn in flat classes. Martingales and brushing boots are permissible in WHP classes (See rule 17.3) Style of boots optional.
8. Dress
   Jodhpurs: Cream or fawn breeches or jodhpurs. Style of boots optional.
   Jacket: Tweed riding jacket, with or without a plain coloured waistcoat.
   Shirt: Light shirt with collar and tie.
   Gloves: Should be worn.
   Jewellery: Should not be worn.
   
   The impression to aim for is smart, workmanlike, safe and comfortable