We document parentage as far back as possible to give breeders the information to develop an organized breeding program. The International Sport Horse Registry followed, developing a Sport Pony Division last year Sport ponies are bred to excel at all the Olympic disciplines and combined driving, Campoy said. Some Americans bred them because they happened to be more suitable for what they were doing. But there was no registry to support it or association to validate it. The demand for sport ponies for both children and smaller women and for the registry was there, Campoy said.
Smaller horses are actually more suitable for children and smaller women.
A five foot two inch woman on a 17-hand warmblood is less balanced. And you can't give the proper aid to the right body part if the horse isn't a suitable size. Once registered, ponies go through an inspection, held in the fall, that's exactly like a warmblood inspection. They're judged in-hand for conformation and type, on the triangle, and at liberty. Adults are free jumped, as raw jumping style is very heritable, and if no show record exists, inspected under saddle.