FEI Pony Measuring

The FEI introduced a new pony measuring system, which was effective from 1 January 2020 with a transition period set up for ponies already registered with the FEI before this date. 

A pony's regulatory height at the withers must not exceed:  

• 148cm without shoes (any measurement between 148.1cm and 148.9cm will be rounded down to 148cm);
• 149cm with shoes (any measurement between 149.1cm and 149.9cm will be rounded down to 149cm).

When a new pony is registered on the FEI database, they must be measured at an official FEI measuring session. Measured in ponies will receive a FEI measuring certificate according to their age – ponies eight years or older will receive a lifetime certificate, while ponies younger than eight years will receive a 15 months interim certificate.

Ponies can attend a measuring session in any country, but they are not be allowed to be measured by an FEI measuring vet from the national federation under which the pony is registered. 

If a pony measures out, it's blocked from entering in any FEI pony competition and registered as a horse if required. It can be re-measured once during the same year at another measuring session, and once a year in the two following consecutive years. In total, it may be measured four times in three consecutive years. If the pony measures out, there will be no further measuring at that session. The pony will have to be presented at another measuring session during the same year or later on.

All ponies must be free of any substances included on the equine prohibited substances list, and EADCM samples may be taken during measuring sessions.

FEI official vets may take DNA samples of any or all ponies – such samples will not be used for purposes other than identification of the pony.

Common Questions

 

When was the FEI pony measuring system introduced?

The new pony measuring system was introduced by the FEI  on 1 January 2020. A transition period for ponies already registered with the FEI will take place until 31 December 2022, after which the new system will be fully implemented. All new FEI pony registrations have to be measured at an official FEI measuring session.

What height must a pony not exceed?

A pony's regulatory height at the withers must not exceed 148.0cm without shoes.

During the transition period (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2022), ponies being measured at FEI events, in accordance with the provisions of Annex IX, are given a height allowance. This means that their height at the withers must not exceed 150.0cm without shoes or 151.0cm with shoes. Ponies must be presented for measuring in good training condition as they would compete and, if shod, in competition shoeing. The maximum height at the withers must not exceed:

• 148cm without shoes (any measurement between 148.1cm and 148.9cm will be rounded down to 148cm)
• 149cm with shoes (any measurement between 149.1cm and 149.9cm will be rounded down to 149cm)

Who administers the pony measuring session?         

Pony measuring is administered by the FEI Veterinary Department and all measuring sessions are carried out at a measuring station, which is run in accordance with FEI regulations and requirements. British Showjumping run the administration side of the session on behalf of British Equestrian.

What do I need for my pony to be measured?

Your pony must hold a current FEI registration at the time of pony measuring. You must bring your national passport – your pony will not be measured unless you present your national passport, which will be used to  check your pony’s identification.

How is measuring carried out?

Pony measuring is carried out using FEI-approved measuring sticks that are calibrated and certified by the designated weights and measures approving body on an annual basis, or using any other FEI approved measuring equipment.  Two measuring veterinarians will undertake the process.

Will I be measured by a veterinarian the same nationality as my pony?

No. The measuring veterinarians are not allowed to measure in their own country, ponies belonging to owners with the same nationality as the measuring veterinarian, and ponies registered in the same country as the measuring veterinarian.

Will there be a FEI representative attending?

Where possible, an FEI representative will attend the entire pony measuring session. However, the non-attendance of an FEI representative for the entire pony measuring session will not invalidate the measurements taken. A minimum of three stewards will be appointed to facilitate the measuring and safety of all participants.

Will I be able to walk my pony before my session?

Ponies may be walked in hand prior to your session in the designated area.

Can I bring another pony as a companion?

Ponies may be accompanied by a companion horse or pony during measuring. There will be no stabling available for your companion.

What are the vaccination requirements for ponies arriving to be measured at the National Training Centre?

All ponies attending the National Training Centre must have completed their primary equine influenza vaccination course in line with the FEI. A booster vaccination must have been administered in the six months prior to attending.

Will there be an area to trot up/lunge my pony before the session commences?

Yes. When you have your booking confirmed, you will be provided with a site map plan for the lunging area.  All ponies will be trotted up before the measuring takes place on a hardstanding surface

Who should present my pony?

Ponies should normally be presented by the person responsible (PR), or their representative. FEI General Regulations Article 118.3. state that no more than two people will be able to accompany the pony during measuring –this must be the PR and/or their representative and one other person. The individual presenting must be at least 16 years of age.

Will I be able to take a photo/video of my pony being measured?

Any person obstructing or interfering with the pony measuring procedure, which may include but is not restricted to photography or videography, will be instructed to leave the measuring area.

How long will the measuring take?

The maximum presentation time for the measurement is 10 minutes per pony. In the event of a pony failing to relax sufficiently to be measured, the PR may request a 20 minute presentation time at the next measurement session, subject to approval by the FEI Veterinary Department.

You will be asked that you leave the venue as soon as you can once your measurement session has taken place.

How should my pony be presented?

• The pony must be in a good physical condition (e.g. appropriate length of hooves and not foot sore), as determined by the measuring vets.
• The pony must be free of any substances included on the equine prohibited substances list.
• In the event of the pony not being in good physical condition, or if any of the provisions listed in the section below, the measuring veterinarians can refuse to measure the pony.
• All rugs bandages and tack (excluding bridle or headcollar) must be removed.
• The pony must be presented in a controlled and safe manner, which normally requires a bridle or headcollar.
• The pony must stand for measuring on a loose rein.
• Any equipment used for a pony’s presentation must be in accordance with the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse and is at the discretion of the measuring vets.
• The pony must be allowed to hold their head and body in a natural position, with their cannon bones vertical and in a normal stance.
• The pony must be standing squarely, weightbearing on all four limbs and be allowed to relax before measuring is attempted.

What happens during a pony measuring session?

1. The measuring vets will verify your pony’s identification against their passport and microchip number where possible.
2. The measuring vets will assess the appearance of your pony's withers for abnormalities. Ponies with abnormal withers will not be accepted for measuring.
3. Each measuring vet successively measures your pony at the highest point of the withers, which is immediately above the spinous process (usually) of the fifth thoracic vertebra – this should be identified by palpation if necessary before any measurements are taken.
4. Should the two measurements differ, the lower height is used.
5. Following measuring, the pony is declared as either having:
   • a) “measured in” and is therefore permitted to compete; or
   • b) “measured out”.

Can a measuring veterinarian refuse to measure my pony?

Yes, a measuring veterinarian can refuse to measure your pony for the following reasons:

• The PR or other representative or additional handler interferes with or obstructs the measuring vets’ work (e.g. by influencing the natural stance and posture of the pony).
• The PR or other representative exerts unnecessary force or uses a method perceived to affect the pony’s measurement, impact its welfare or be injurious.
• The pony is deemed not measurable (e.g. unrestful or trained to lower its natural height).
• There is doubt or evidence that the pony’s withers, or any part in that anatomical region, may have been interfered with so as to artificially lower the pony’s height.
• The pony is sweating or breathing abnormally due to intense exercise.
• The pony has sore feet.
• The pony is lame.
• The pony is in poor condition.
• The pony shows signs of being sedated – in such cases the pony should always be sampled for EADCM.

The measuring veterinarians will mark and sign the pony’s passport, on the identification page, stating the date, and the words “Refusal to Measure” and reason for the refusal in red pen.

What happens if my pony measures out?

You will be notified if your pony measures out. Your national federation will be notified, and your pony will be blocked from entering in any FEI pony competition; and registered as a horse if required.

Can my pony be re-measured if it is measured out?

Your pony can be re-measured once during the same year at another measuring session. It can be measured once a year in the two following consecutive years. In total it may be measured four times in three consecutive years.

Where will the confirmed height be noted?

The measuring veterinarians will put a remark in the passport: with shoes /without shoes, on the identification page of your national passport.

What happens next if my pony measures in?

Once your pony measures in, a sticker will need to be stuck to the identity pages of your pony’s national passport. Once it is measured in, you will be eligible to compete at FEI competitions.

How long will the certificate last?

Measured in ponies will receive a FEI Measuring Certificate according to their age. Ponies eight years or older will receive a lifetime certificate, ponies younger than eight years will receive a 15 month interim certificate.

Can I be EADCM-tested at the pony measuring session?

Yes. Horses attending pony measurements are subject to testing under the EADCM Regulations.

For the purpose of the application of the EADCM Regulations to a horse attending a pony measurement session, a horse shall be considered as being “in-competition” from the time of its arrival at the pony measurement station until its departure from the pony measurement station following completion of the measurement process (including all related paperwork) and EADCMP testing (where applicable) (the “pony measurement period”).

In addition to the consequences foreseen for violation of the EAD Rules and/or the ECM Rules under the EADCM Regulations, a violation of the EAD Rules and/or ECM Rules in connection with a test taken at a pony measurement session may, at the discretion of the FEI, lead to the invalidation of the results of the relevant pony measurement

Still need some help?

General general questions regarding pony measuring: Please contact British Equestrian on 02476 313 434.

Specific logistical queries about a session you are booked on: Please email trainingcentre@britishshowjumping.co.uk.