Welsh Ponies, Section A - Not exceeding 12.2 hands high (Diane's note: This is different from the parent organization in the UK where the height limit is 12.0 hands. A Section A WMP that exceeds 12.2 hands in the USA is placed into the Section B category. Keep this in mind if you are interested in breeding. You can only get a Section A by breeding to another Section A. This is the purest and original section of Welsh Ponies.)
General Character: Hardy, spirited and pony-like.
Color: Any color. (Diane's note: Again a difference from the parent organization. Piebald and skewbald are not allowed in the regular registry in the UK. Piebald and skewbald are two different colors that are comparable to the term Pinto in the USA. Many USA breeders frown on allowing Pinto colored ponies into the full registry and would prefer they were placed into the half Welsh section, even if DNA testing proves they are full Welsh. Keep this in mind when purchasing a Welsh Mountain Pony. The Willows is not taking a stand for or against Pinto colored WMPs. Our society allows for this color. It is up to each individual to make an informed decision.)
Head: Small, clean-cut, well set on and tapering to the muzzle.
Eyes: Bold.
Ears: Well-placed, small and pointed, well up on the head, proportionately close.
Nostrils: Prominent and open.
Jaws and Throat: Clean and finely-cut, with ample room at the angle of the jaw.
Neck: Lengthy, well-carried and moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions.
Shoulders: Long and sloping well laid back. Withers moderately fine, but not "knifey." The humerus upright so that the foreleg is not set in under the body.
Forelegs: Set square and true, and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearm, well-developed knee, short flat bone below knee, pasterns of proportionate slope and length, feet well-shaped and round, hooves dense.
Back and Loins: Muscular, strong and well-coupled.
Girth: Deep.
Ribs: Well-sprung.
Hind Quarters: Lengthy and fine. Not cobby, ragged or goose-rumped. Tail well set on and carried gaily.
Hind Legs: Hocks to be large, flat, and clean with points prominent, to turn neither inward nor outward. The hock not to be set behind a line from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped, hooves dense.
Action: Quick, free and straight from the shoulder, well away in front. Hocks well-flexed with straight and powerful leverage and well under the body. (Diane's note: The action of the WMP is extremely important and carries a lot of weight when being judged at a Welsh breed show. The movement cannot be described as "hunter type" as there is often more knee action. The Willows does not breed for hunter movement but for true WMP movement. However, many of our ponies are succeeding well in the hunter ring as they have great reach, athleticism, and lovely, balanced movement. There are several videos on YouTube where you can see good Welsh Mountain Pony movement.)
Here is a Youtube video showing proper Welsh Pony and Cob movement in driving. Red ribbon is first place in UK and blue is second place. Both first (roan) and second (grey) ponies are Section A Welsh Mountain Ponies.
https://youtu.be/0BXMJF_3Xig
Here is another Youtube video showing Welsh Mountain Pony movement in-hand. Note, this is a show in Wales. The trend for quite a few years now has been to have the show ponies carry a lot of weight. We don't find this desirable here in the USA and typically our ponies are not this heavy when in show condition.
https://youtu.be/3LDKb7kPqgY