July 12, 2017

NDPC: Getting Measured

We left for National Dressage Pony Cup on Thursday morning, since Connor had a 4pm pony card measurement scheduled.  NDPC offers official USEF pony measurements for free, and Connor will get his permanent card now.  We had to jog for soundness as part of this as well.

All photos in this post courtesy of my momma.

Connor was last measured in June of 2012, when he was six years and one month old.  At that time he was 14.0hh.  One year before that, at the Welsh show in August of 2011, he was 13.3 and 3/4".

Us, five years ago!

His breeder Lisa and I did bets on what he would measure this time.  She said he'd be 14 and 3/8ths and so I said he'd be 14 and 1/2".  We were both surprised when he measured 14.1hh!

Temp numbers because the airline lost the luggage with the real numbers in it...oops.

A few things could have contributed.  He was a little bit up in the covered arena at the KHP.  Or maybe we measured wrong last time.  And of course, Welsh Cobs, and his line in particular, are known for being very slow to mature.  It's possible he really did grow between age 6 and age 11.

"Up"

Either way...I'll take it!  He's permanently 14.1hh as far as the USEF is concerned.

Anyone else have a slow grower?

21 comments:

  1. 14.1 is a perfect size for a haffie!

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    1. Ha. Ha. Ha. It's funny because both of the ladies in the photo, the vet and the TD, just rolled right along assuming he was a Haffie until I corrected them.

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  2. Andalusians are also a bit slow on the growing side and I'm fairly sure Ruby isn't quite done yet even at 6 haha. I'm hoping Cinna ekes out another inch or two as well!

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    1. I have heard the same thing, that they tend to be slow growers. Fingers crossed!

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  3. What a cool experience! Dino has his permanent card as well - he measured 14.1 and 1/2. Wish I could have been there to see the process, though!

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    1. It was pretty cool. My first time jogging him for soundness even though it was in the rain and I was wearing jean shorts and sperrys lol.

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  4. Sadie grew a full hand between 4 and 7, and basically doubled in mass. I bet that part of Connor's measurement difference is all the correct dressage work... that can put on a lot of muscle and kind of "pops" the body a little bit!

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    1. I can definitely see that being true. Also interesting to note, his full sister's permanent card says 13.3 but she's definitely not 2" shorter than he is.

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  5. I can't wait to get Katai officially measured! I'm so curious what her height will be but I know she'll be under pony height so I'm mostly just curious.

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    1. I felt the same way, I know he's pony and that's all I care about. It was interesting anyway though!

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  6. Bridget grew an inch between 5 and 6. She's just turned 8 and I think I may need to measure again - I've always said I'd love a giant version of her and can always hope. Perhaps with more time? ;)

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    1. Haha! They do get pretty big. Lisa's herdsire is definitely over 15hh and only 3.

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  7. Super cool. Ditto Amanda. The dressage work can do crazy things. :)

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  8. He always looks bigger to me, but I've only ever seen him in pictures.

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    1. A lot of people have said that when they meet him for the first time after only seeing pictures. I have also been told that by clinic watchers, who saw me on him and then off of him. I'm pretty short, so I think I make him look bigger.

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  9. If Charlie (who is 8 now) grows any more I'm sending him back lol. Tho also I honestly don't know how big he is. I call him 17 bc I honestly don't think I want or need to know the real truth haha

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    1. Lol! At least TBs tend to mature early so you're probably ok? Can't believe you went from pony height to that!

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  10. Ramone made it from 16.2 to 17hh from ages 4-7. Dante was 16.3 and I'll probably not break a stick out for him again but i imagine he'll be 17+ by the time he's 7+

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