You are the proud owner of an athletic and conformationally correct pony that you think the sun rises and sets upon and you want to be able to proudly display registration papers that will signify that this pony is as good as you think. Not only will it increase your pony's value but it may become eligible for shows and divisions not open to it prior to this registration. Also there will now be a record of its lineage for generations to come.

You will be happy to know that there is a sportpony registry available that will register your wonderful pony. The following are the steps for a successful registration:

The first step is to go onto the registry’s web site www.northamericansportponies.com. There you can read the requirements, view licensed stallions, futurity winners, show programs and promotional avenues as well as downloads for registration forms. There is even a link to a wonderful on-line newsletter with articles and editorials by and for members and lovely photos of registered sportponies.

If your pony seems to fit the sportpony description you have come to the right place. Download an application form. Fill in all the sections as best you can. There is a very helpful staff in the office that you can either email or call for help.

Within a short time you will receive in the mail your DNA form. This form will explain how to pull a sample of mane hair and where to secure it with tape and mail off to the lab. Remember to send the enclosed copy to the NASPR office so they know you have done this. This document is time sensitive so must be done right after you receive it in the mail; if left too late it will expire and you may have to pay for it all over again.

Now your pony needs to be inspected by qualified inspectors for the NAPSR. Your pony’s scores at inspection will determine its grading into the studbook. There is Premium, First Premium and the élite First Premium Premier which everyone hopes to achieve. First Premium Premier means that the characteristics of your pony are of a very high standard and will be the best to breed more sportponies from and your pony should be able to stand up to the rigors of your chosen discipline.

Check the web site to see when an inspection is coming to your area and send your inspection reservation form into the registry office with grading payment. All these inspections are hosted by one or more volunteers who pay all the necessary costs of renting facilities, helping pay the inspection costs such as flight, meals, hotel costs etc. of the inspectors. These volunteers work hours organizing everyone for a time spot to present their pony at its best.

The hosts usually estimate how many ponies will be attending and divide up their costs amongst them so remember to pay your site fee to the host. Please understand this is not the same as a grading fee and is payable to the site hostess prior to the inspection. Please be courteous to these volunteers as they go out of their way and spend many hours trying to make your inspection comfortable and memorable. Some inspection sites have special requests such leaving your pets (dogs) at home or at least on a leash, clean up your pony manure, etc.

Be certain to contact your host to find out what time your inspection is scheduled. Appropriate dress for the day is khaki or light-colored pants with a dark polo shirt or better still a NASPR polo shirt. Also wear comfortable shoes that you can run with your pony in hand.

INSPECTION DAY

1. Most importantly, arrive on time! If you are late everyone else’s time will be late and you will not be popular.
2. Make sure that your pony is clean and well trimmed and if possible have the mane braided. Do show in a bridle never in a nylon barn halter. This is the most important day in your pony’s life. The score that it attains today will last its entire life, so make the most of it.
3. You will be asked to present your pony standing up in front of the inspectors. Practice this at home so your pony stands up properly. Every part of your pony is evaluated and scored onto a sheet that will be given to you at the day’s end. Next you will be asked to walk your pony in a straight line away from the inspectors and then back again to evaluate its movement, limb straightness and rhythm, all on a firm surface. You will then relocate to a fenced in area or arena where you present on a triangle. The triangle facilitates that your pony will be seen walking away, walking in a side view and then walking towards the inspectors without them having to move around to see legs and straightness etc. Make sure you walk in a straight line along each of the 3 sides of the triangle. You will be asked to trot around it and if you are presenting a foal with its dam the foal will be turned loose prior to trotting the triangle. You will then be asked to turn your pony loose and with the assistance of additional handlers, the pony will be encouraged to trot and canter both ways of the arena. Excessive speed and inability to settle will make it very difficult for the inspectors to evaluate your pony.
4. If you have a pony 3 years or over it must free jump (jump down a gymnastic exercise of 3 jumps without a rider). If it has an injury or is in foal make sure you bring a vet certificate. This is part of the score for the inspection. The jumping section is along a wall or high fence starting with a small cross rail then 2 strides into a small vertical jump and 3 strides to a square oxer set higher. This test is not to see how high your pony can jump but rather its ability to naturally assess footing and striding. The final jump will show its athletic ability, style and form. Even if your pony is going to be a dressage or driving prospect, jumping will show its intelligence in its ability to think and plan. This is the final part of the inspection and you can put your pony back onto your trailer or the stall that you have rented. Most importantly practice this phase at home. To practice at home, you will need a helper or two and the easiest way to ‘fence’ the jump chute is with the yellow caution tape (easily obtainable at hardware stores). At home practice trotting your pony up into this line of jumps and once inside the chute let the lead line slip through its halter or bridle so it is loose without any lead hanging off it. To do this simply slip the end of your lead through its bridle so you can release an end and it will slip off. Your helpers will be needed to encourage (not chase) your pony down the line of jumps with lunge whips. Give your pony lots of praise and he will think this is great sport. Catch him or her after each round as at inspection you will have three attempts to get a good line of jumps.
5. At the end of the day the inspectors will add up everyone’s score and all return to the area for a critique of each pony. You will find this the most educational part of the registration process and well worth waiting for. The inspector will go through the strengths and very tactfully the weaknesses of your pony. They will also suggest whether your pony is the right type and has the correct conformation for the discipline that you have chosen. If numbers warrant there will be a site champion and reserve champion and also highest free jumping score making the day into a possible celebration for you and your equine partner.
6. If your pony has scored First Premium or higher it will be entitled to proudly wear the NASPR brand of a crown and the letters AP conjoined under it. This may be the scariest part of your day, but rest assured your pony will not know what hit him until it is over! A hot branding leaves a scar where the hair and first layer of hide is burned. Do not apply any creams or antiseptic to this brand as you do not want to heal the scar and make it disappear but rather make the scaring appear as the brand once the scabbing process is over. We have never had a brand get infected or even bother a pony, so no additional care is required. By the same token do pay attention to it and if by chance it should develop problems consult your vet.
7. Following the inspection you will receive, in the mail, a lovely registration certificate with your pony’s name, registration  number, family tree where known, description and scoring.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NOW THE PROUD OWNER OF A REGISTERED AND INSPECTED NORTHAMERICAN SPORTPONY!