Northern Counties Pony Association
2025 Rules
General Rules
- 1. No substitution of nominated entries permitted. Only animals entered in the classes are permitted on the showground.
- 2. Entry fees will not be refunded and it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to ensure that their entry is correct, eligible, and available when called for their class.
- 3. Pink Cards: Animal Registration Number must be entered for any NCPA Registered class.
- 4. The Organising Committee reserve the right to amalgamate or split classes and alter or amend the running order of classes.
- 5. Exhibitors must enter the ring wearing the number allocated for that animal/class.
- 6. The Judge’s decision is FINAL. A judge may require a horse/pony which constitutes a danger to leave the ring.
- 7. Horses/ponies must be registered and entered at any show in the name of the legal owner.
- 8. Any Owner, Rider, Producer or Horse/Pony that is banned for any period of time as a result of any disciplinary action taken by any member body of The Showing Council may not compete in NPS Affiliated classes at the discretion of the NPS Council.
- 9. Equine Influenza Vaccinations are a compulsory requirement for all horses registered with the Northern Counties Pony Association...
- 9a. All horses/ponies exhibited must be entered in the name under which they have been originally registered...
- 10. An exhibitor may not knowingly exhibit a horse/pony bred, sold, leased or produced by the Judge, his/her immediate family or his/her employer.
- 11. A rider may not ride in a class judged by someone for whom he/she has ridden in a competition during the current year.
- 12. An exhibitor may not show under a Judge for whom he/she has produced a horse/pony in the current year.
- 13. Any objection or complaint must be made in writing with a deposit of £50 within 30 minutes of the incident occurring; refundable if upheld.
- 14. The Organising Branch or Committee accept no responsibility whatsoever for any loss, injury or damage to any person or their property whilst on the showground, car parks, or approaches.
- 15. In the event of a show being cancelled, entry fees, less a deduction for administration charges, to be determined by the organizing committee, will be refunded.
- 16. Exhibitors must take into consideration that classes may clash. If this occurs, they must nominate which class they wish to compete in.
- 17. The mucking out of horse boxes/trailers is not permitted on the showground and a penalty will be incurred.
- 18. Exhibitors are advised that all horses/ponies must be insured for public liability.
Riders/Handlers
- 19. Correctly secured BSI skull caps/riding hats – to CURRENT STANDARD must be worn at all times when mounted...
- 20. Spurs or dress spurs must not be worn in the Show Pony, Show Hunter Pony...
- 20a. Show canes and whips are not to exceed 75cms (30ins)...
- 21. Riders or handlers may only compete with one horse/pony in any one class...
- 22. A fall of a mounted horse/pony or rider in any class will result in disqualification...
- 23. Riders must have attained their 3rd birthday on the day of the Show.
- 24. In Lead Rein classes the leader must be 16 years old or over...
- 25. Competitors shall not ill-treat horses/ponies at any time whether by misuse...
- 26. Competitors are responsible for the actions of any non-competitor employed by them...
- 27. Exhibitors and their grooms must, at all times, present themselves in the show ring neatly and smartly dressed.
- 28. Young handlers MUST wear a hard hat whilst showing in-hand...
- 29. NCPA requires that all riders consider the weight of the combined tack & rider...
Horses/Ponies
- 30. The Organising Committee reserves the right to expel any horse/pony from the ring...
- 31. Horses/ponies must be four years old or over in all ridden classes...
- 32. Mares with a living foal born during the current season are not eligible...
- 33. All stallions and 2/3 year old colts must hold a current licence...
- 34. Stallions and colts must be adequately bitted...
- 35. No ridden pony shall be shown on a leading rein except those exhibited...
- 36. ONLY mares and geldings are eligible in Junior, Lead Rein, and First Ridden...
- 37. First Ridden, Novice Show Ponies...
- 37a. The definition of a novice animal...
- 38. In Leading Rein classes, the lead rein must be affixed to the noseband only...
- 39. In First Ridden classes, ponies must not be cantered...
- 40. Mountain and Moorland ponies MUST be fully registered...
- 41. In ALL Mountain and Moorland classes...
- 42. In ALL Riding Pony Breeding...
- 43. Brood mares with foal at foot...
- 44. Foals must be shown in a halter...
- 45. Bit-less bridles and running gags are not permitted.
- 46. Protective leg boots of a plain colour may be worn...
- 47. No horses/ponies should be left unattended at any time...
Ring Discipline
- 48. Competitors are not allowed to withdraw from any class without the Judge’s permission.
- 49. The class is completed when the Judge dismisses the class.
- 50. No person other than the Judge and the official course builder...
- 51. Consideration and good manners must be shown to other competitors...
Judges
- 52. NCPA Judges must not knowingly...
- 53. Adjudicate in a class if he owns or has owned...
- 54. Judge ponies that are or have been owned...
- 55. Judge animals owned or produced by a person who he has purchased animals from...
- 56. If a judge has reasonable grounds for belief that any rules...
Social Media
- 57. Members should ensure that any material...
- 58. Members must not post or transmit any material which could damage the name...
- 59. Members must not post or transmit any material relating to the NCPA...
- 60. Any breach of this policy may constitute a breach of the NCPA Rules...