RCP #3 Article: Appendix GR-B - ADS Pony Measurement Program

RCP #3 Article: Appendix GR-B 

Submitted by: Jeff Morse 

Current wording: 

ADS Ponies are 120cm to 148cm; with or without shoes; 149cm with shoes. 

1.1 ADS Small Ponies are 99cm to less than 120cm; with or without shoes. 

1.2 ADS VSEs are less than 99cm; with or without shoes. 

1.3 Animals will be measured prior to their first competition of each year until reaching the competition age of 8 years, after which they are eligible for a Permanent Card. 

1.4 ADS Measurement Cards are for the exclusive use of ADS competitions. 

Suggested wording: 

Add new: 

1.5 The height of animals with a current, valid ADS Measurement Card cannot be protested. 

1.6 The measurer must not measure animals owned or trained by a member of the measurer's immediate family, a person living under the same roof, nor a person with whom the measurer (exception: veterinarians) has a financial relationship, including a lease. 

Reason for change: 

The height of animals over 8 years should not be protestable. They have a permanent card at age 8 and should not grow. Younger competitive animals are measured annually and because of development and conditioning are going to change height. Sure, there will be some on the borderline but the increase in size in a few months to a year should not be enough to significantly affect results and it would only affect class status until they are re-measured for the next year. Making height non-protestable would avoid hearing processes and fees and the retroactive changing of results. It would keep scheduling from being disrupted by having to move entries to different classes at the last minute at an event. It would allow on site officials to concentrate on their jobs without having to stop.