What height counts as a pony, and how does a height certificate work?

South Africa follows the FEI pony height rule, adopted by the SAEF (SASJ Annexure C):

• A pony must measure no more than 1.48 m without shoes, or 1.49 m with shoes.
• Measurements are rounded: 5 mm or less rounds down, 6 mm or more rounds up (e.g. 1.485 m counts as 1.48 m; 1.486 m counts as 1.49 m).
• Until it turns 7, a pony (other than one with a life certificate issued on or before August 2012) may be required to be measured once a year. If it is still within 1.48 m unshod / 1.49 m shod at 7, measured by an accredited measuring vet at an approved station, it keeps that status until retirement.
• Older dispensations: ponies aged 7 with a vet-signed life certificate obtained on or before 1 August 2012 keep it; ponies measuring up to 1.50 m unshod / 1.51 m shod that competed as ponies before 1 January 2015 may continue (not at FEI competitions).

Registered ponies must have a valid, SASJ-approved height certificate uploaded to their profile before they can enter Pony Rider classes (Annexure A).