About Welsh
Welsh Characteristics
Section A - Welsh Mountain Pony
The Section A Welsh Pony is also known as the Welsh Mountain pony.
An animal of great beauty and refinement, he has the substance,
stamina and soundness of his ancestors. Well known for their
friendly personalities and even temperaments, they are extremely
intelligent and easily trained. Both the Section A and Section
B ponies are characterized by the following traits. A large,
bold eye, tiny head, short back, strong quarters, high set
on tail, fine hair, hocks that do not turn in, laid back shoulder,
straight foreleg and short cannon bone. The Section A pony
may not exceed 12.2hh and can be any color except piebald
or skewbald.
Section B - Welsh Pony
With all the physical and personality characteristics of the Section
A, this section of the Welsh Pony was originally added to
meet the demand for a larger riding type pony. Section B ponies
do not exceed 14.2hh but have no lower height limit. They
are well known for their elegant movement and athletic ability
but still retain the substance and hardiness of their foundation,
the Section A.
Section C - Welsh Pony of Cob type
The Section C is also known as the Welsh Pony of Cob Type. They
may not exceed 13.2hh and may be any color except piebald
or skewbald. Both sections of Welsh Cobs are characterized
as being Strong, hardy and active with pony character and
as much substance as possible. Bold eyes, strong laid back
shoulders, dense hooves, a moderate quantity of silky feather,
lengthy hindquarters, and powerful hocks.
Section D - Welsh Pony Cob
The Section D (Welsh Cob) exceeds 13.2hh with no upper limit on
height. A strong and powerful animal, both the Sections C
and D, have gentle natures and are extremely hardy. An ideal
mount or driving animal for many adults and children. The
Section D has become a popular choice for dressage, combined
training and combined driving.
Today
Today Welsh Ponies and Cobs can be found competing in nearly every
discipline...Hunters, Driving, Dressage, Combined Training,
Combined Driving, English & Western Pleasure and heavy
harness.
Welsh History
ORIGIN
The original home of the Welsh Mountain Pony was in the hills
and valleys of Wales. He was there before the Romans. His
lot was not an easy one...winters were severe and vegetation
was sparse. Shelter most often was an isolated valley or a
clump of bare trees yet the Welsh Pony managed not only to
survive, but to flourish. Down through the years the Welsh
Pony and Cob has served many masters. On the upland farms
of Wales, Welsh Cobs would often have to do everything from
plowing a field to carrying a farmer to market or driving
a family to church on Sunday. Welsh Ponies have been pampered
by royalty and served on the farms of the poor. That the Welsh
Pony carries a trace of Arabian blood seems beyond a doubt
however he has maintained his own dominant physical characteristics
over the years. It has been demonstrated that the Welsh Pony
crosses well with many other breeds and this, to breeders,
is an important aspect of his unusual versatility.
The Welsh Pony & Cob Society was founded in 1901 in Wales.
All Welsh Ponies and Cobs found in the United States are descended
entirely from animals registered with The Welsh Pony &
Cob Society in the UK. While Welsh Ponies were imported to
America as early as the 1880's, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society
of America was not established as a breed registry until 1907.
Registered Welsh Ponies and Cobs can be found in every state
and also in Canada. To date, over 34,000 Welsh Ponies and
Cobs have been registered.
For more information contact the Welsh Pony and Cob Society
of America.
WPCSA
P.O. Box 2977 Winchester, VA 22604
Office Phone: (540) 667-6195
Office hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 5:00
http://www.welshpony.org/
