I) Section A: Welsh Mountain Pony
Origin
Wales
History
Welsh ponies have a wide range of type, so the studbook established in 1902 is divided into four sections. Section A includes the Welsh Mountain Pony. It is the oldest of the four types and also the smallest. This pony, which is believed to be a close descendant of the ancient Celtic pony, lived wild in the hills of Wales for centuries. This pony was influenced by a variety of diffferent breeds. The first improving blood came from the eastern horses introduced by the Romans. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and Hackneys of the old Roadster type were also introduced.
Since 1902, the refined and distinct appearance of the Mountain Pony has been the result of careful selection within the breed itself, although the "founding father" of the modern breed, Dyoll Starlight, may have carried Arabian blood through his dam Moonlight. Her owner, Howard Meuric Lloyd, described her as a "miniature Arab" and was believed to be a descendant of the Crawshay Bailey Arabian.
Exported all over the world, the Welsh Mountain Pony is one of the finest foundations for horse breeding, passing on the invaluable qualities of bone, substance, and constitutional soundness. Used in crossbreeding, it has added beneficial quality to polo ponies, the Riding pony and hack and hunter types.
Description

• Head:
  small and handsome with large eyes, small, pricked ears, and a straight or slightly concave profile
• Conformation:
  -well shaped and arched neck
  -well pronounced withers
  -deep and broad chest
  -long and sloping shoulder with good muscling
  -short and straight back
  -slightly sloping croup
  -sturdy legs with plenty of muscle and broad, strong joints, a long forearm, and short cannon-rounded and very tough hooves
• Average height:
  not to exceed 12.2 h.h.
• Colours:
  may be any colour other than piebald or skewbald. Grey, brown and chestnut are the most common
• Temperament:
  hardy, courageous, intelligent, docile, friendly, trustworthy and kind
• Today:
  this is an excellent first mount for small children because of his temperament. At the same time, this breed is strong and can easily carry an adult. They are good jumpers and show ponies, also exceptional in harness.

 
 
II) Section B: Welsh Pony Origin Wales History The Welsh Pony is a larger version of its cousin, the Welsh Mountain Pony, having received some admixture of Hackney blood, and near the end of the 19th century a small Thoroughbred stallion named Merlin, descended from the Darley Arabian was used and had significant influence. At various times the stud book for Welsh Ponies has been opened to partbred stock (at least 50 percent Welsh), producing a more lightly built, taller pony. The section B pony inherits many of the characteristics of its smaller counterpart, the Mountain pony, and is a riding pony with qualtity and substance. Description

• Conformation:
  similar to that of the Welsh Mountain Pony
• Average height:
  12.2 to 13.2 h.h.
• Colours:
  all colours are permitted except piebald and skewbald
• Today:
  this is the ideal mount for a child who has outgrown the smaller Mountain Pony. A very versatile pony, the Section B animal can be successful in harness as well as under saddle, is a superb jumper, and has a smooth, flowing action.

III) Section C: Welsh Pony of Cob Type
Origin
Wales
History
For centuries, Welsh Cobs were an integral part of Welsh life and were used for farm and harness work. A good trade in Cobs developed with the army, where they were used to haul guns and equipment and were ridden by mounted infantry. They were also in great demand with the big city dairies, bakeries, and other companies.
The Welsh Pony of Cob Type, registered in Section C of the Welsh stud book, is a smaller version of the Welsh Cob. This pony was produced through the mixture of Andalusian and Cob blood with the Welsh Mountain pony.
Description

• Head:
  of pony type with a straight profile, the eyes widely spaced and having a lively expression; small ears
• Conformation:
  -muscular and long neck, well carried and arched
  -slightly pronounced withers
  -deep and wide chest
  -well muscled and sloping shoulder
  -short and strong back
  -rounded and gently sloped croup with a tail set high-short legs with some feathering on the fetlocks
  -well formed and tough foot
• Average height:
  not to exceed 13.2 h.h.
• Colours:
  they are the same as in the Welsh Pony
• Today:
  the true worth of this pony as a dual purpose animal has been fully realized in recent years, with the increase in interest in driving classes. These ponies can be seen in all the numerous trekking centers throughout Wales, carrying vacationers up into the hills; in competitive events; or being driven by tradesmen in the towns. Like all the Welsh breeds, they are natural jumpers.

IV) Section D: Welsh Cob
Origin
Wales
History
The Welsh Cob is registered in Section D of the stud book. Evidence of the Welsh Cob in the Middle Ages and even earlier can be found in medieval Welsh literature. Both in times of peace and war the Welsh Cob has done its part. It had to be capable of drawing loads of timber from the forests and doing the general work on the upland farms long before the introduction of heavier animals. In 1485, the English throne was gained by Henry Tudor with the help of the Welsh militia mounted on Cobs.
Prior to the advent of the automobile, the Welsh Cob was one of the speediest modes of transport for the doctor or tradesmen and others eager to get from here to there in the shortest time. Businessmen in South Wales were known to select a Cob by trotting it all the way from Cardiff to Dowlais - some 35 miles, uphill all the way. The best could do this in less than three hours, never slackening the pace from start to finish.
The Welsh Cob makes a good cross with the English Thoroughbred, producing jumpers, hunters and event horses.
Description

• Head:
  small and well proportioned, of pony type, with a straight profile, large, prominent eyes and small, pointed ears
• Conformation:
  -long, muscular, and arched neck
  -well pronounced and long withers
  -broad and deep chest
  -muscular and sloping shoulder
  -short, wide and strong back
  -long, broad, and rounded croup with a tail set high and carried gaily
  -short but strong, well made legs with strong, clean joints and a bit of feather at the fetlocks
  -nicely shaped and tough hooves
• Average height:
  14 to 15 h.h.
• Colours:
  all coat colours are allowed except piebald and skewbald
• Temperament:
  tractable, gentle disposition
• Today:
  with renewed interest in driving competitions, this horse is coming back into its own. It has proven the ideal trekking animal-safe, surefooted, and responsive-and for private or competitive driving it is difficult to rival. It is also an excellent animal for a disabled rider.