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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ponies may be walked in hand prior to your session in the designated area.
Ponies may be accompanied by a companion horse or pony during measuring. There will be no stabling available for your companion.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Yes, a measuring veterinarian can refuse to measure your pony for the following reasons:
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.
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.
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.
The measuring veterinarians will put a remark in the passport: with shoes /without shoes, on the identification page of your national passport.
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.
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.
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
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.