Description: Welsh Section B
The Welsh Section B is a refined and athletic breed of pony originating from Wales. Developed from the Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A) by introducing Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Hackney bloodlines, the Section B is known for its elegance, versatility, and friendly disposition. Generally standing between 12 and 13.2 hands high, these ponies display a beautiful head, long sloping shoulders, and strong hindquarters, making them well-suited for a variety of disciplines. Highly popular as children's ponies, Welsh Section Bs excel in show jumping, dressage, eventing, and showing. They are admired for their intelligence, willingness, and enthusiasm, while their manageable size and calm temperament make them a favorite choice for young riders and families alike. Because of their stamina and hardiness, they can both excel in performance and be wonderful companions.
Welsh Section B ratings
Properties
The Welsh Section B is a type of Welsh Pony originating from Wales. Renowned for its elegance, versatility, and athleticism, the breed was developed from the native Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A), selectively crossed with Thoroughbreds, Hackneys, and Arabians. This refining influence resulted in an ideal child’s show pony with enhanced quality, movement, and presence, while retaining the hardiness, stamina, and intelligence of its mountain origins.
Section B ponies typically stand between 12.2 and 13.2 hands high (about 127 to 137 cm at the withers). They possess a refined, attractive head with large, prominent eyes, small alert ears, and wide nostrils. Their conformation features a sloping shoulder, strong back, well-defined withers, and powerful hindquarters, contributing to their expressive, free-moving gaits. They exhibit an excellent action that is both straight and elevated, which is especially desirable in the show ring.
Known for their friendly, intelligent temperament, Welsh Section B ponies are easy to handle and enjoy working with people, making them a favorite choice for children and young riders. Their manageable size, combined with spirited yet gentle natures, makes them ideal for riding schools, pony clubs, and family use. They are exceptionally versatile and seen in a wide range of equestrian disciplines including showing, dressage, show jumping, driving, eventing, and even endurance.
Section B ponies have a natural resilience inherited from their ancestors who thrived in the harsh Welsh hills. They tend to be hardy, with sound hooves and good health, requiring relatively low maintenance compared to some more delicate breeds. Their adaptability means they can live out in diverse weather conditions and on sparse grazing, still maintaining robust condition.
The breed’s standards are regulated by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, and careful breeding preserves the classic type, temperament, and quality. In summary, the Welsh Section B combines beauty, athleticism, and a gentle disposition, making it one of the world’s most coveted children’s ponies and a star in multiple competitive and recreational equestrian spheres.
Appearance
The Welsh Section B is a refined and elegant breed of pony, known for its beautiful appearance and versatility. These ponies are slightly larger and more refined than the Section A, with a height limit of 13.2 hands (137 cm). Overall, the Welsh Section B gives the impression of an athletic and graceful pony with an expressive head and an aura of quality and class, making it a favorite choice for show rings and performance events.
One of the most notable features of the Welsh Section B is its head, which is small, neat, and shows great refinement without coarseness. The profile is often slightly dished, reminiscent of the classic Arabians, with large, dark, expressive eyes and small, well-set, alert ears. The nostrils are large and open, contributing to their intelligent and kind expression. The neck is long, well-set, and arching, blending smoothly into well-defined withers, giving the pony a balanced and elegant appearance.
The body of the Welsh Section B is compact yet deep through the girth, with a strong, short back and well-sprung ribs, allowing for both beauty and strength. Their shoulders are long and sloping, which aids in free, straight movement, while the hindquarters are muscular and strong, giving them the power and agility for various equestrian disciplines. The legs are a hallmark of quality, being long, slender, but with good bone and density to support athletic endeavors. Knees and hocks are low-set and clean, without coarseness, and the pasterns are of medium length, leading to hard, well-shaped hooves.
The coat of the Section B is fine and silky, and can be found in a range of solid colors, including bay, black, chestnut, gray, and sometimes palomino or dun, though excessive white markings are generally discouraged. The mane and tail are profuse and flowing but not coarse. Overall, the Welsh Section B embodies a perfect blend of beauty, athleticism, and refinement, making it not only a beautiful sight but also an ideal pony for children and adults alike.
History
The Welsh Section B is an important and beloved section of the broader Welsh Pony breed, known for its elegance, athleticism, and versatility. The origin of Welsh ponies as a whole dates back to prehistoric times, where the harsh, mountainous landscape of Wales contributed to the development of hardy native ponies. By the time written records appeared, these ponies had become a fundamental part of Welsh rural life, used for transportation, agriculture, and even in coal mines.
The development of the Welsh Section B began in earnest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While the Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A) represented the smallest type, with maximum height limited to 12 hands, breeders sought to create a slightly taller and more refined pony, suitable for both children and small adults, especially for riding purposes. As a result, the Section B type evolved by introducing bloodlines from larger, high-quality ponies and small horses—most notably, Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Hackney—with the intention of producing a more elegant, athletic, and versatile riding animal.
The official recognition and registration of the Welsh breeds began in 1901 with the establishment of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. The first stud book was published in 1902. Section B was specifically defined as a Welsh Pony not exceeding 13.2 hands (137 cm), characterized by fine bone, a refined head, sloping shoulders for good movement, and an overall impression of elegance and athleticism. These qualities distinguished Section B from its cobbier relatives in Section C and the heavier Section D Welsh Cob.
Throughout the 20th century, Welsh Section B ponies gained popularity far beyond Wales. Their beauty, temperament, and versatility made them highly sought after, especially as children's show ponies and in a variety of equestrian disciplines such as show jumping, dressage, and eventing. Exported worldwide, they left a significant impact wherever British equestrian traditions spread.
Today, the Welsh Section B continues to be celebrated for its intelligence, athletic ability, and gentle temperament. It is widely regarded as one of the finest child’s ponies in the world, often seen at shows and riding schools. Its development over the past century reflects careful selective breeding, aiming to balance the ruggedness of its Welsh roots with improved refinement and rideability.