Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A)

(Height: not exceeding 12hh) in the UK 12.2 in the USA and Canada

The centuries of harsh conditions the Welsh Mountain Pony has endured has ensured the sound constitution, iron hard limbs and great intelligence which, combined with the legendary Welsh temperament, makes the ideal childs pony of today. They can be seen ridden and driven all over the World equally at home in the cold of Canada and Sweden or the heat of Africa and Australia.

The head of the Mountain Pony should be small, with neat pointed ears, big bold eyes and a wide forehead. The jaw should be clean cut, tapering to a small muzzle; the silhouette may be concave or dished but never convex or too straight. The neck should be of a good length and well carried with shoulders sloping back to a clearly defined wither. The limbs must be set square with good flat bone and round dense hooves. The tail set high and gaily carried. Action must be straight both in front and behind, quick and free with hocks well flexed.

Welsh Pony (Section B)

(Height: not exceeding 14.2hh)

The general description of the Welsh Mountain Pony can be applied to the Welsh Pony, with greater emphasis being placed on riding pony qualities while still retaining the true Welsh quality with substance.

For generations these ponies were the hill farmers main means of transport, herding sheep and wild ponies over rough and mountainous country. They had to be hardy, balanced and fast to survive, which ensured that only the best were bred from. These qualities, combined with a natural jumping ability, and the temperament of their Welsh Mountain Pony forebears make the Welsh Pony second to none in whatever field his young rider may choose. Today the hold their own among top class riding ponies both in performance competition and in the show ring.

Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C)

(Height: not exceeding 13.2hh)

The Welsh Pony of Cob Type is the stronger counterpart of the Welsh Pony, but with Cob blood.

Their true worth as a dual-purpose animal has been fully realized in recent years, and their numbers have increased accordingly. Active, surefooted and hard they are ideal for so many purposes both for adults and children.

Like all the Welsh Breeds they are natural jumpers and they also excel in harness there are in fact few things that they cannot be used for.

Welsh Pony Cob (Section D)

(Height: exceeding 13.2hh with no upper limit)

The general character of the Welsh Cob is the embodiment of strength, hardiness and agility. The head shows great quality with Pony character. Bold prominent eyes, a broad forehead and neat, well set ears. The body must be deep, on strong limbs with good hard wearing joints and an abundance of flat bone. Action must be straight, free and forceful, the knees should be bent and then the whole foreleg extended from the shoulders and as far forward as possible in all paces, with the hocks well flexed, producing powerful leverage.

The Welsh Cob is a good hunter and a most competent performer in all competitive sports, in recent years they have had great success in the International driving world. Their abilities in all spheres are now fully recognized throughout the world.

The Welsh Part-Bred

(UK only)

Although the animals entered in all four sections of the StudBook vary in size and substance, all show evidence of their common ancestor, the Welsh Mountain Pony. The best inherit the strong constitution, good bone, courage, activity and equable temperament that has led to their worldwide renown.. 

It is therefore not surprising that they are in such demand for crossing with other breeds, and there is a Welsh Part-Bred Register in the UK for horses, cobs and ponies whose breeding shows not less than 25% of Registered Welsh blood. The large Welsh Part-bred has proved an enormous value in most equine disciplines show jumping, eventing, dressage and driving. There is a half-welsh registry in the USA where one parent is a registered full blood welsh.