It has been greatly influenced by the British Riding Pony, the Thoroughbred and Arabian bloodlines.

Australian Riding Ponies are of one of the solid colors, with small heads and ears.

The imported foundation sires which contributed to the establishment of the Australian Riding Pony were:[1] The Australian Riding Pony Stud Book Society was formed in about 1980 in the wake of interest aroused in the Riding Ponies that were shown in several Royal Shows.

Nowadays most of the major British and New Zealand bloodlines are represented in the Australian Riding Ponies.

Today, the pony is mainly used as a children's show mount and for small adult riders.