French Riding Ponies (also known as French Riding Pony or Pony
Francais de Selle) usually stands 13.2-14.2hh at the withers. The pony can be
of any color except cream with blue eyes. They are versatile and athletic and
are an excellent mount for the entire family- children and adults alike. They
must be balanced, broad chested, have good shoulders, a good top line, and good
withers. Their legs must have no conformation faults. The back must be strong.
They have forward moving, smooth gaits and good jumping ability. The ponies are
extremely hardy. The French Riding Pony has a good temperament. This pony is
much like the German Riding Pony and the English Riding Pony.
They were developed by crossing native French pony mares
with Welsh pony, New Forest Pony, Arabian horse, and Connemara Pony stallions.
The breed's section of the French Pony Stud book also includes ponies that were
bred through the crossing of Arabian stallions with Connemara, New Forest, and
Welsh Pony mares, as well as Selle Francais, Connemara and New Forest stallions
with Merens, Basque and Landais mares. The National Association of French
Saddle Pony (ANPFS) was founded September 17, 1969. It was created to meet the
needs of young riders wishing to ride mounts appropriate to their size. It
brings together under one heading ponies from different territories french
overseas or channel, including by crossing with standard Thoroughbred, Arabian,
Welsh, New Forest, and Connemara.
In the late 1960s precise criteria for selection were
established for assessing ponies that would be entering the stud book. In 1972
the Stud Book was created by Jean Lassoux. The Stud Book remained open to newly
registered ponies until 1991. This cross-bred pony was given the name French
Riding Pony or French Saddle Pony in 1991.
They are extremely versatile. They are excellent sport
ponies.They are bred for show jumping, eventing, dressage, driving, trailing,
hacking, and racing.
About French Riding Horses
