The Danish Sport Pony is a breed of riding
pony
A pony is a type of small horse ('' Equus ferus caballus''). Depending on the context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. Compared ...
. The
Danish Sport Pony Breeding Association began breeding for the pony in the 1970s. The ponies are classified according to height and grouped into three classifications. It is usually dark, although the classic color was originally gray. The horses are registered through the
Landsudvalget.
Characteristics
The Danish Sport Pony should never be taller than . The riding classes for Danish Sport ponies are separated into three categories: ponies up to 14.2 hands; ponies up to ; and ponies up to . The ideal pony has muscular limbs, giving it both agility and speed. It should also have a well-formed head and neck, sloping shoulders and prominent withers. Its back should be muscular, as should its thighs. Traditionally, the predominant color was
gray
Grey (more common in British English) or gray (more common in American English) is an intermediate color between black and white. It is a neutral or achromatic color, meaning literally that it is "without color", because it can be composed o ...
, but over time and with
crossbreeding
A crossbreed is an organism with purebred parents of two different breeds, varieties, or populations. ''Crossbreeding'', sometimes called "designer crossbreeding", is the process of breeding such an organism, While crossbreeding is used to main ...
, Danish Sport Ponies are also
bay,
chestnut, and
black
Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ...
.
Since the Danish Sport Pony is meant to be used as a mount for children, it should have a good temperament; calm and obedient.
History
The Danish Sport Pony breed has only become a serious endeavor for Danish breeders within the past few decades because
Icelandic and Norwegian horses were more popular as mounts. When pony riding rose in popularity, however, the demand for ponies increased. To cope with the demand, the Danish Sport Pony Breeding Association was formed in 1976. The organization was dedicated to creating a uniform breed of riding ponies, and this they achieved by crossing different breeds with the Danish Sport Pony. The
horse breeds used for development of the Danish Sport Pony included the
Connemara pony
The Connemara Pony ( Irish: ''Capaillín Chonamara'') is a pony breed originating in Ireland. They are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition. The breed makes excellent show ponies.
History
The Connemara region in C ...
,
New Forest pony
The New Forest pony is one of the recognised mountain and moorland or native pony breeds of the British Isles. Height varies from around ; ponies of all heights should be strong, workmanlike, and of a good riding type. They are valued for hardi ...
,
Welsh pony
The Welsh Pony and Cob is a group of four closelyrelated horse breeds including both pony and cob types, which originated in Wales in the United Kingdom. The four sections within the breed society for the Welsh breeds are primarily distingui ...
and
Arabian horse. Today, Danish Sport Ponies are registered through the
Landsudvalget.
References
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Related articles
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Horses in Denmark
Horse breeds
Horse breeds originating in Denmark
Ponies