Find out what to wear for mountain and moorland classes
Find out what to do in the ring
As the name suggests, this class is for registered Mountain and Moorland ponies. There are nine recognised M & M breeds, counting Welsh as one, although the Welsh breed is divided into four sections. The bigger the show, the more likely they are to have classes for each breed individually. Smaller shows may have a large breeds class and a small breeds class, or may have them all in together. Click on the heading of each breed to see pictures.
As well as the ridden and inhand classes, there are also M & M Working Hunter Pony classes and M & M leadrein and first ridden classes.
The National Pony Society holds qualifiers all over the country for native ponies, such as the Picton Novice Ridden, which has its final at the NPS Championship Show in August, and the NPS Baileys Horse Feeds Olympia Qualifier, an open ridden class with its final at the Olympia Christmas Show. There are also ridden and working hunter championships, the finals of which take place at the Horse of the Year Show.
Ponies (UK) is the other main organisation for native ponies in the show ring, it holds several qualifying classes as well.
The British Show Pony Society also holds some native pony ridden championships.
If you have a pony who you think is a native, but for whom you have no papers or registration, then you will have to go in the Unregistered Mountain and Moorland class. Many shows insist on the pony's registration number being on the entry form. If you are not sure, then a fairly safe bet is the Part Bred class. There are often classes for part bred native ponies at local or bigger shows, although the bigger shows may want them registered in the appropriate part bred studbook.
Connemaras are native to Ireland. The upper height limit for affiliated showing is 148cm (14.2hh), and the commonest colour is grey, although other colours are seen. Ponies must be registered in the stud book to be shown at affiliated shows. Connemaras are of 'riding type', compact and balanced, with depth and substance. They should have a 'pony' head and a well set on neck. Movement should be free and active, without a high knee action.
Dales are between 14hh and 14.2hh. Over-height ponies can still be registered, but not in the main studbook. They are normally black or dark brown, with some bay or grey ponies, and roan is seen but rare. White markings are not wanted, and all that is allowed to be registered in the main studbook are a star and/or snip and white fetlocks on the hind legs. The head should not be dished, neck is long and strong, body is short-coupled and deep. Action is high at knee and hock, active and forward-going.
Dartmoors must not exceed 127cm (12.2hh) and come in all solid colours, although dark bay is the most commonly seen. Coloureds are not seen, and lots of white markings are discouraged. The head is small, and neck medium length. Movement is low and straight.
Exmoors are bay, brown or dun. No white markings are permitted, and they have the characteristic mealy muzzle and 'toad eyes'. Stallions and geldings are between 11.3hh - 12.3hh, and the range for mares is an inch shorter. They are stocky, with a wide chest and broad back. Action is straight and smooth.
Fells do not exceed 14hh, there is no lower height limit. They are black, brown, bay or grey, and only a star or small socks on the hind feet are allowed. The head should be small and defined in outline, and the body deep and short coupled. Hooves have the distinctive blue horn that is characteristic of the breed. Action is smart and straight, with knee and hock action.
Highlands come in a range of duns (mouse, cream, yellow and grey). They are also grey, brown, black and rarely bay or liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Zebra stripes and dorsal stripes are common. They are one of the biggest of the native breeds - although the height range is 13hh - 14.2hh, they are immensely powerful and stocky. Their action is straight and free moving, without much knee action. Stallions with white markings other than a small star may not be registered.
New Forest Ponies may be any colour except piebald, skewbald, or blue eyed cream. Palomino or chestnut with flaxen mane and tail ponies cannot be used as stallions. White markings are allowed on the head, and on the legs only to the knee or hock. The height limit is 148cm, there is no lower limit. They are narrower than some of the other large breeds, but should still have substance. They are a riding type of pony, with sloping shoulders and a good depth of body. Movement should be free, active and straight without excessive knee action.
Shetlands are possibly the most distinctive of the native breeds. They must not exceed 42 inches (107cm) at maturity (four years). They may be any colour except spotted - the only native breed to allow skewbald and piebald ponies to be registered.
The head should be small and in proportion to the rest of the pony, with small ears and a broad forehead. Proportionally, the Shetland has shorter legs and a longer body than other ponies.
Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A)
Welsh Mountain Ponies are the smallest of the Welsh ponies, also known as Section A. They do not exceed 12hh (121.9cm) and come in any solid colour. The head is small and clean, with small pointed ears. Shoulders should be long and sloped, and the body deep with well sprung ribs. Legs are small and fine, although the pony is up to a deceptive amount of weight considering its appearance.
Welsh Ponies (Section B) are a bigger version of the section As, although they are often more of a 'riding' type. They should not be too fine, retaining the substance of the welsh breed as a whole.
Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C)
Welsh Ponies of Cob Type (Section C) do not exceed 13.2hh (137.2cm). They are a cobbier animal than the As and Bs, but retain the fine, often dished face, although this is bigger and does not look out of proportion with the substantial body. They have a typical Welsh movement, with more knee and hock action than other breeds.
Welsh Cobs (Section D) have no upper height limit. They are a bigger version of the section C. Since the height limit was removed (it was previously 148cm), they are getting bigger, but a very big animal often loses its 'pony' quality and becomes more horsey in type.