CCPS Inspection Program

Guiedlines for Conducting Inspections
Inspection Requirements for Ponies
Breed Standard
Inspection Site Requirements
Presentation of Ponies
Premium Mare Inspection Program
Elite Performance & Progeny Program
Performance Point System
Apprentice Inspector Program

CCPS Inspected Ponies
Inspection Form
Inspector Form

• The CCPS Inspection Program is designed to comply with the requirements of the standards of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, Ireland, and of the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies.

• The aim of the CCPS Inspection Program is to educate owners and breeders in the correct type and conformation of the Connemara pony and to help maintain type while improving the breed.

• Ponies are inspected against the Breed Standard of the CCPS which is based on the international breed standard.

• The program is designed to recognize and encourage the development and identification of ponies suitable as purebred breeding stock, in their conformation, type, temperament, and movement.

• The Elite Program is designed to identify ponies that have excelled in performance as well as correct conformation and type. These ponies can be considered the best ambassadors of the breed.

• The CCPS program is entirely voluntary but owners and breeders are encouraged to nominate their ponies for inspections. Geldings can be inspected if the owner wishes but halfbreds are not eligible for inspection.

• Ponies that have passed inspection are eligible for entry in the CCPS International Stud Book. Ponies that have not yet passed inspection will remain in the Canadian Registry where all Connemara ponies with two registered parents can be registered.

• On passing inspection, owners must provide the inspection team with the pony’s original registration papers, which will be stamped appropriately. When or if that pony’s ownership is transferred, Canadian Livestock Records Corporation will return the new papers to the Inspection Chair to include that information in the new registration papers.

• The following are guidelines for presenting ponies for inspection and details of the programs, including the premium mare and elite stallion and mare programs.

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Guidelines for Conducting Inspections

• The National Inspection Committee shall include all the fully recognized CCPS inspectors and one representative from any region not represented by an inspector. The committee is responsible for overseeing the rules and regulations for inspections, approving all inspection teams, overseeing the education of apprentice inspectors, and liaising with the CPBS on all inspection matters.

• All inspections must be organized and carried out with the full authorization of the National Inspection Committee and approved by the Board of Governors. No inspections carried out by individual or groups of members or breeders will be considered valid for entry into the International Stud Book.

• Teams of inspectors at an inspection must consist of a minimum of three fully recognized inspectors. A team can include one or more international inspectors.

• Inspectors may not inspect ponies they own or lease, they have bred, that are by their stallion or with which they have other direct connections.

• Apprentice inspectors may accompany the team of three inspectors but there must be a maximum of three apprentices per team of three inspectors. (See apprentice inspector program for details.)

• International inspectors should be included in a team whenever possible. The CPBS advises that an international inspector be included during the first two years until the program is well established.

• Each region is responsible for organizing inspections in its area in conjunction with the National Committee. The region will collect the inspection fees as set by the CCPS, which can then be used to offset the costs of the inspection. The region and the National Society will each pay half of any overrun costs.

• The hosting region should have a regional inspection committee, including members of the National Inspection Committee, as part of its regional structure. That committee should consist of at least three members and is responsible for organizing inspection sites, providing necessary documentation for the ponies and arranging transport and accommodation for the inspectors. The regional committee must liaise with the National Inspection Committee when organizing inspection sites.

• The inspection team will be chosen by the National Inspection Committee in consultation with the region.

• The host region and the National Society are responsible for paying the travel and accommodation expenses of the inspectors. Apprentices are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

• No minimum number of ponies is required per inspection site but it is highly recommended that the numbers justify the expense of the inspection. Several sites within easy travel distance for the inspectors over a one- or two-day period could be arranged.

• It is recommended that inspections coincide with the AGM whenever possible as inspectors should be encouraged to attend the AGM.

• All CCPS inspections must be carried out in Canada under the supervision of the National Inspections Committee. No ponies will be allowed to be inspected in a country in which they and their owners do not reside.

• The National Inspection Committee is happy to answer any queries about inspections.

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Inspection Requirements for Ponies

• To be eligible for inspection at a CCPS recognized inspection ponies must meet the following criteria:

  • All Canadian Connemara ponies must be registered with either a CCPS Foal Identity Document (FID) or permanent registration (or ACPS Temporary Foal Certificate (TFC) or permanent registration).
    
  • Imported Connemara ponies must have their birth country’s registration documents if they do not have CCPS or ACPS registration.
    
  • Stallions must have a permanent registration as a stallion.

• A pony inspected and registered in the stud book of any recognized Connemara Pony society does not have to be re-inspected into the CCPS International Stud Book.

• Ponies must be two years of age or older at the time of inspection. Colts can be inspected at two if they have full stallion registration but it is strongly recommended to wait until they are more mature at three or over.

• Ponies older than two currently measuring 147cm (14.13/4hh) or more must have had a vet certificate of height completed at two years of age stating the pony was under 147cm (the same certificate as used for the pony’s permanent registration is acceptable).

• The pony must pass a veterinarian’s inspection using the society’s Veterinarian Inspection Report Form prior to the inspection date. This must include height measurement and the pony must not have heritable faults. The Veterinarian’s Inspection Report Form can be downloaded from the CCPS website or requested from the appropriate regional inspection committee.

• Ponies with heritable faults can be registered in the Canadian registry but not presented for inspection into the International Stud Book.

• No pony will be considered officially nominated for inspection until the nomination form, a copy of the pony’s registration papers, Veterinarian Inspection Report Form and fees have been received by the appropriate regional inspection committee.

• On inspection day the pony’s original registration papers must be presented with the pony.

• Inspection fees are non-refundable, but inspection of a nominated pony may be postponed for lameness, illness, or other last minute emergencies. Please do not bring sick ponies to inspection sites.

• If a nominated pony dies, is sold, or for any other reason considered acceptable by the inspection committee is unavailable for inspection, another pony may be substituted as long as the paperwork is completed before the inspection date.

• The inspection teams reserves the right to refuse to inspect any pony who presents itself in an unsafe manner to the handler, observers and/or inspection team.

• To pass inspection a mare must get 60% or more of possible marks for every section: Conformation, Type, Movement, and Temperament and Behaviour.

• To pass inspection a stallion must get 75% or more of possible marks for every section: Conformation, Type, Movement, and Temperament and Behaviour.

• To attain a Premium status a mare must get 75% or more of possible marks for every section: Conformation, Type, Movement, and Temperament and Behaviour.

• A pony who does not meet the standard for the visual inspection may be deferred and presented for re-inspection in the following calendar year, provided a minimum of nine months have elapsed.

• There is no maximum age for inspection or re-inspection of a pony that has been deferred. A pony can be represented for inspection a maximum of twice.

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Breed Standard

• The Connemara pony stands between 13hh and 14.2hh and is to be no higher than 14.2hh at two years of age. Colours may include any except pinto, spotted, or appaloosa markings. White on the legs and face is permitted but not encouraged in excess.

• The Connemara is overall a compact pony with good bone, 7-9 inches around the cannon bone below the knee, relative to height. The joints are large and flat. The coat is long and thick in winter usually with a soft undercoat and long guard hairs.

• The head is of moderate size with a straight profile, large, well-defined jaw and small ears, not longer than 4.5 inches. The eyes are set wide apart with a broad forehead.

• Connemaras have a deep girth and wide chest with a medium head and neck set and a good length of rein. The tail is set on medium height and is thick and luxuriant. The mane is long and thick, and like the tail is often wavy.

• The main distinguishing characteristics are the amount of bone, the width of the chest and depth of girth. The overall impression is of a four-square pony standing over a good amount of ground. These are substantial ponies, capable of carrying weight, but with an overall appearance of quality without coarseness.

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Inspection Site Requirements

• The regional inspection committee is responsible for selecting a suitable site. One member of the committee, the site manager, should work with the site owner to ensure that all requirements are met.

• There should be stabling available on or near the site for ponies travelling long distances and needing to overnight. The stabling should be suitable for accommodating the number of stallions attending.

• Adequate area for parking for trailers as well as other vehicles.

• There should be a flat area with good firm footing for inspecting ponies. Deep sand or long grass is not suitable. The area should be level and if at all possible fenced.

• For stallion and premium mare inspections there must be an area suitably enclosed for free lunging at the canter.

• Inspectors should have a quiet private area for discussing their results and presenting them to pony owners.

• The site manager should schedule inspection times for the ponies, allowing approximately 30 minutes per mare and an hour per stallion or premium mare.

• Schedule time for the inspectors’ lunch break and provide suitable refreshments.

• The site manager is responsible for having correct paperwork ready for all the inspectors and from all the ponies.

• If the site manager or site owner is presenting their own ponies, make sure that suitable help is available to prepare the ponies.

• The site manager should make sure that the inspectors know well in advance the number of mares and stallions they will be inspecting and whether it will be at one or more locations. Transportation should be provided if they need to attend more than one site.

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Presentation of Ponies

• Ponies presented for inspection should be in good health and body weight and be well groomed with their feet recently trimmed.

• Ponies should, if possible, be shown as native ponies with full manes and tails, not pulled unless they are regularly showing. Manes and tails should not be braided and it is preferred if faces, ears and feathers are not clipped.

• A pony may be presented in a bridle or well-fitting halter.

• It is preferred to inspect ponies unshod, but ponies performing regularly may have shoes.

• The pony will be stood up in front of the inspectors for visual inspection from all angles.

• The inspectors will measure and record the pony’s bone.

• The handler will be asked to walk the pony away from the inspectors on a triangle and repeat at the trot. Ponies are expected to move forward freely and straight.

• The handler will then be asked again to stand the pony up correctly, balanced and with weight evenly distributed over all four legs.

• Stallions and premium mares will be asked to move at liberty at the walk, trot and canter in a suitably enclosed area.

• There is no dress code for handlers but they will be expected to wear safe and sensible footwear and clothing.

• Owners will be asked beforehand if they are willing for the pony's results to be discussed with spectators to enhance the educational side of inspections. If the owner agrees, the discussion will take place immediately after the owner has received the results.

Inspection Form
Inspector Form

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Premium Mare Inspection Program

• Any mare who passes inspection with 60% or more in each of the four categories receives a pass stamp on her permanent registration papers.

• Requirements approval as premium mare:
  • Minimum age at inspection for premium 5 years old
  • 75% or more in each of the 4 inspection categories
  • Dam of 1 or more purebred foals

• A premium mare receives a premium stamp on her registration papers.

• Any mare inspected at 2 years or older can be re-presented after she reaches the age of 5 for inspection into the premium program.
  • A mare may be represented once for premium status if she does not attain premium status at her first premium inspection.

• A mare can not lose pass status at a premium inspection.

• Upon receiving premium status, premium mares are eligible and encouraged to take part in the Elite Performance and Progeny Program.

• A mare presented for inspection who is over 5 years of age but has not been nominated for inspection at the premium level, can, with recommendation from the inspectors and agreement of the owner, be considered for premium status at that inspection on payment of an additional $25 fee.

  Note:

• As the inspection pass mark for stallion is 75%, there is no premium inspection program for stallions. However, all stallions that have passed inspection are eligible and encouraged to take part in the Elite Performance and Progeny Program.

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Elite Performance and Progeny Program

The Elite Program has been developed to recognize ponies who exemplify Connemara athleticism and type while passing this on to their progeny and ensuring a continued standard of excellence in the breed.

Overview

• To obtain elite status, a mare or stallion must meet one criterion from both the progeny and performance sectors of the Elite Program.

• ACPS registered and inspected progeny can be counted towards the requirements for the CCPS elite mare or stallion program. Progeny with ACPS premium mare status will be recognized as such.

• Performance criteria are based on the CCPS/ACPS awards program of points, certificates and medals.

• Applications for the Elite Program can be obtained from the National Inspections Committee Chair. Owners will be required to submit copies of their pony’s inspection results, names of progeny and competition results.

• The following are the disciplines for the Elite Program:
  • Eventing
  • Dressage
  • Jumper
  • Hunter
  • Driving
  • Western
  • Endurance/
  • Competitive Trail

• As this is a performance program in-hand results will not be included. This aspect is covered in the inspections which are a prerequisite to the elite program.

Mares

• Mares must be at least 8 years of age, under 148cm and have attained premium status (ACPS or CCPS) to enter the Elite Program.

• Performance points accumulated prior to a mare’s achievement of premium inspected status can be counted towards her requirements for the Elite Program.

• CCPS/ACPS registered purebred progeny born prior to a mare’s achievement of premium inspected status can be counted towards her requirements for the Elite Program.

Progeny Criteria
A mare must have produced:

• 4 progeny who have passed inspection
  OR
  
• 2 daughters who have achieved premium status
  OR
  
• A stallion son who has passed inspection AND a mare/gelding offspring who has passed inspection
  OR
  
• An elite stallion son

Performance Criteria
A mare must achieve:

• 200 points from at least two disciplines with at least 90 points from one discipline and no more than 120 (60%) from any one discipline. Criteria for calculating points below.

Stallions

• Stallions must be aged 8 years or older, under 148cm and passed inspection to be eligible for the Elite Program.

• Canadian-owned stallions previously inspected and passed by the ACPS do not need to be re-inspected by the CCPS to be eligible for the Elite Program.

• Performance points accumulated prior to a stallion’s achievement of inspected status can be counted towards his requirements for the Elite Program.

• CCPS/ACPS registered purebred progeny born prior to a stallion’s achievement of inspected status can be counted towards his requirements for the Elite Program.

Progeny Criteria
A stallion must have produced:

• 8 progeny who have passed inspection
  OR
  
• 3 daughters who have achieved premium status
  OR
  
• A stallion son who has passed inspection AND 3 mare/gelding offspring who have passed inspection
  OR
  
• An elite stallion son

Performance Criteria
A stallion must achieve:

• 300 points from at least two disciplines with at least 100 points from one discipline and no more than 180 (60%) from any one discipline. Criteria for calculating points below.

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Performance Points System

Performance Point System

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Apprentice Inspector Program

Inspectors are responsible for the future of the Connemara Pony in Canada through their interpretation of the breed standard and are also ambassadors for the breed in the equestrian world. They may also be asked to judge at breed shows nationally and internationally.

Application

• Apprentice inspectors must be members of the CCPS so they are bound by the society rules and have some knowledge of its structure and function.

• Individuals may be invited to become an apprentice inspector by a member of the inspection committee
  OR

• An individual may approach a member of the inspection committee to represent them to the rest of the committee.

• If approved by the majority of the inspection committee, individuals are then invited to submit a formal application to become an apprentice inspector (see application form).

Training

• Apprentices must attend at least two clinics given by internationally approved Connemara inspectors, preferably at least one by an Irish inspector.

• Apprentices must attend at least three inspections, and preferably more, working with an inspection team. There is no time limit to complete this. This should include inspections in at least two regions.

• In the later stages of their training, apprentices will complete a test on conformation and Connemara type. This test may take place at an inspection and would preferably be conducted by an international inspector.

• When this test has been competed satisfactorily and the members of the inspection committee deem an apprentice suitably trained, the apprentice will be considered for full inspector status. A two-thirds majority of committee members is required for an apprentice to become an inspector.

Criteria

• Apprentices do not necessarily have to breed or own Connemaras but should be familiar with the breed in Canada and Europe.

• Apprentices are responsible for financing their own training.

• Apprentices are expected to have prior experience with the Connemara breed, with judging, testing and other equestrian pursuits that contribute to their knowledge of conformation and movement, and their ability to assess ponies against the breed standard.

• Skills such as ability to work with the public and pony owners, punctuality and organizational abilities will be considered as well as knowledge of conformation and type.

Apprentice Inspector Application Form
Inspection Form
Inspector Form