NPS Qualifiers and Rules

The show has qualifiers for the NPS Scotland finals held at Blair Castle on Friday the 25th August 2023. Further information can be found in our schedule. 

Townhead Pet 'n' Pony M & M In hand Championship 

Kilmannan Stud M & M Novice Ridden Championship 

Bailey Horse Feeds M & M Open Ridden Championship 

Maggie May Junior open Ridden Championship 

NFU Mutual Open In Hand Riding and Hunter Pony Championship 

Kilgraston School M & M Lead Rein & First Ridden Championship 

The owner of the pony does not have to be an NPS member to enter but must be to enter the Blair Final. 

TO BE RUN UNDER NPS SCOTLAND FINALS (BLAIR CASTLE) RULES 2023 which are on the NPS Scotland website NPS Scotland – National Pony Society These rules clarify areas particular to NPS Scotland. There are new rules this year so please be vigilant and read them. Exhibitors are deemed to be conversant with these rules. 

1a Ponies may only qualify once for each NPS Scotland Competition Final.

     1b Ponies that take a second qualifier for the same section will be disqualified from entering the final.

     1c It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to ensure that their jockey/handler is aware of their pony’s qualification status.

2 All Mountain & Moorland Ponies must be registered in the main body of their respective stud book. Part bred, X registered ponies, ponies in the appendices of their main stud book and Eriskay ponies are not eligible.

3. Qualification in the M&M In Hand Section may go Champion, Reserve Champion, and 1st Reserve Champion. This excludes the NPS Scotland Spring and Summer Shows where 1st and 2nd prize winners will qualify. Qualification for M&M Novice, Junior, Open, WHP, Lead Rein, First Ridden and Riding pony/Hunter pony classes may go to no lower than 4th place.

4. A Judge is not obliged to award an NPS Scotland Finals qualification if he/she feels that the pony is not of a sufficient standard

5. Cavasson nosebands are the only nosebands permitted in flat ridden class

6. NPS Scotland Kilmannan Novice Ridden and Picton Classes Ponies can compete as novices in this competition for two consecutive years provided they do not submit an entry to the final in the first year.

7. Entries will only be accepted via our on-line entry system, Entry Master. It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to keep the qualification card safely as it is essential to complete your entry. Paper entries will not be accepted.

8. Closing Dates for Entries Tusday 25th July 2023 for all shows prior to that date. Shows from 26th July to 7th August – the closing date is 10th August 2023 Please refer to NPS Scotland website for directions on” How to submit your entry” using the Entrymaster system.

9. The OWNER of the pony must be or become a member of NPS Scotland to enter the Finals.

10. All ridden ponies must be shown off the lead rein except in the specified Lead Rein Qualifier Class.

11. In Mountain and Moorland classes riders of stallions must be 12 years old or over when riding small breeds (Shetland, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Welsh A & B). For large breeds (Highland, Fell, Dales, Connemara, New Forest, Welsh C & D) riders of stallions must be 14 years old or over.

12. A child must have attained their 12th birthday as of the 1st January in the current year to either strip or lunge pony at a NPS show, except for stallions where age will same as in the Rule Book to ride a stallion.

13. Handlers of stallions or colts must be 14 years old or over.

14. Please note NO Stallions can compete or qualify for the Junior Ridden Classes.

15. Handlers of ponies in In Hand classes must be at least 5 years of age and those who are 14 years and under must wear a correctly secured skull caps/riding hat that meets the current standards.

16. Whiskers are not to be trimmed for any breed. This rule is now mandatory for 2023. 17. The Finals will take place at the Blair Castle International Horse Trials on Friday 25th August 2023.