The American Shetland Pony Club was established in 1888 to guard the purity of the stock and to maintain a reliable record of pedigrees and transfers for the American Shetland Pony. The ASPC has registered nearly 150,000 Shetlands to date.
In 1972, the ASPC opened the American Miniature Horse Registry to provide similar services for Miniatures. "R" Miniatures can be Division A, 34" and under, or Division B, 34"-38." The AMHR, too, has registered thousands of equine.
Registered Shetlands and "R" Miniatures are governed today by the ASPC/AMHR. This body makes policies and procedures for both breeds, registers animals, sanctions shows, promotes the breeds, offers a variety of related awards and recognition for both animals and exhibitors, and provides many other pertinent services.
To find out about becoming a member, contact the ASPC/AMHR at 6748 N. Frostwood Parkway, Peoria, Illinois, 61615 or call (309) 691-9661. The first membership in a household is $45 and includes a subscription to The Journal, the registries' official publication. Additional memberships and junior memberships are also available.
The Journal is published bi-monthly by the ASPC/AMHR. This magazine includes important informative articles for Shetland and Miniature enthusiasts, show coverage, official information, farm profiles, equine advertising and much, much more. In addition to the member subscription described above, a non-member subscription is available for $30. For more information on this publication, contact The Journal at (708) 585-7158.
Unique -- Interesting -- A Class All of lts Own
The AMHR Miniature is one of the most interesting and unique horse breeds in existence. Although their actual history is much debated, the American Miniature Horse developed right along with the 20th century. By the mid 1950s, many farms were raising these diminutive animals for fun. By the early 1970s, the American Miniature Horse Registry was established by the American Shetland Pony Club to serve the needs of this growing area of equine interest. Today, the Miniature Horse is a versatile, well-respected and much loved equine breed.
Despite their size, the American Miniature Horse requires the same care as a full-sized horse. Miniatures are bred to be as small as they can be while maintaining correct bigger horse conformation.
The versatility of the Miniature Horse is astounding. It can be a backyard pet, a gorgeous show animal, a form of therapy for the handicapped or a welcome companion for the elderly. In the show ring, Miniatures compete in halter/conformation competition, performance events such as pleasure driving and performance gaming events such as obstacle, jumper or costume. Events, shows and organizations exist across the nation to promote and support the AMHR Miniature. Miniatures are well suited for everyone from the novice horse person to the consummate show professional.
In the words of ASPC/AMHR Director of Operations David Diemer, "You can do everything with these guys that you can do with a big horse with ease and without complications, and that's why they have such great universal appeal."
Miniatures registered with the AMHR must be 38" tall or smaller. AMHR Minis are categorized by two size divisions -- Division A, for animals 34" tall and under, and Division B, for those Miniatures that exceed 34" and are up to height limit of 38." The appearance of Miniatures vary. They can be of any common equine color from solid to multi-color. Any show ring competition may show off the gamut of colors among Miniatures -- black to bay to gray to dappled to palomino to pinto to appaloosa. Overall, the
Miniature should be a small, sound, well-balanced horse and should give the impression of strength, agility and alertness. A Miniature should be eager and friendly but not skittish in disposition.
The Miniature Horse is an amazing, magnificent, hardy animal. As the equine world and the general public become increasingly cognizant of their beauty and versatility, the AMHR Miniature Horse will continue to grow in popularity.
The Best Kept Equine Secret in the Country!
The Shetland Pony could be considered one of the most popular pony breeds in the United States today as evidenced by the breed's presence in the show ring, its place of honor as a "pet" or children's pony, its use as a "working" pony and its success in the sale ring. However, many folks in the equine world and even more in the general public don't know anything about the Shetland Pony. Or, if they think they do know something, they only picture the wooly, ill-tempered Shetland oft found in story books. They are missing out on the simply wonderful Modern American and Classic American Shetlands!
Registered Shetlands in the United States are governed by the American Shetland Pony Club in Peoria, Illinois, which has registered more than 150,000 animals and which counts thousands of individuals and families as members.
Shetlands are versatile animals that can fit well into a show string or into the back yard as a pet. Officially, the registered American Shetland is to be no larger than 46 inches or 11.2 hands. Shetlands come in the gamut of equine colors. The Shetland is often noted for its good temper and endurance, sound feet and legs, prominent eye and strong, symmetrical body.
There are two kinds or types of true Shetlands, the Classic and the Modern (see thefollowing information). There are hundreds of uses for both types of Shetlands from the show ring to the back yard.. Some organizations use hitches for publicity work in parades and fairs. Shetlands can make ideal pets for children and are excellent parade mounts for young riders. They also do quite well as children's barrel racing steeds. Pony rides featuring Shetlands are popular at fairs, carnivals and amusement parks.
Sometimes, Shetlands are used as prizes or premiums in contests. Shetlands can also be used in therapy and for enjoyment with handicapped children or with the elderly.
Whether as a working pony, a show animal or family pet, the American Shetland is a versatile and popular animal well-suited for the entire family!
This breed's ancestry dates back to the Shetland Isles. Brought to the United States in the 1800s, the Shetland Pony that many commonly think of when they hear the word Shetland was selectively bred to refine the animal and create the American Shetland Pony. It was to promote this breed that the American Shetland Pony Club was established in 1888.
The Classic American Shetland carries the classic beauty of a time-honored breed. No Shetland should exceed 46" and most Classic Shetlands fall well below this maximum. While uncrossed with other breeds, the Classic is still somewhat more refined than its stocky ancestors in the Shetland Islands. They are ponies with substance, muscle and bone, but are not coarse. Classics carry a certain amount of refinement about the ears, head, throatlatch and neck. Short, sharp, erect ears, prominent eyes and a refined jaw all contribute to the Classic Shetland's beauty. Classics can be of any color, either solid or mixed. Today, both beautiful solid color Shetlands and flashy, spotted animals are both popular.
By nature, the Classic Shetland is known to be docile and gentle. Because of their personalities, these elegant but sturdy ponies are extremely versatile. Classics are used as working ponies and pets as well as in the show ring. In competition, Classics are shown in hand where they are judged on conformation, style and soundness. Many are driven in pleasure, hitch, carriage or obstacle classes or are used under saddle in pleasure, rein or parade classes. Often, they are ridden by children in lead line classes or are used in costume classes. Also, Classic Shetlands may pull a wagon or be used in a hitch or as a working pony.
The Classic American Shetland is a versatile pony with the temperament and personality to become a lifelong friend. For that reason, the Classic American Shetland is presently growing in popularity and will undoubtedly continue to flourish as more people find out about this versatile and beautiful breed.
The Modern American Shetland is more refined and more animated than the Classic Shetland. The Modern combines the historic hardiness of the Classic with an outcross of an animated and superiorly refined pony breed such as the Hackney to achieve such refinement and action. Modern American Shetlands are long-necked and fine-boned and have a distinct, spirited personality that lends itself well to the show ring.
Versatile animals, Modern Shetlands come in any color, solid or mixed, are neat and well-made and should not be bigger than 46". They too should have neat, refined ears, heads and necks as well as prominent, wide-set eyes.
Modern Shetlands are shown in two height divisions -- under 43 inches and 43-46 inches. They are shown in breeding/halter classes or in performance classes which include roadster, harness and pleasure driving. They should have good conformation and high, easy action, airy and freely coordinated on all four corners of the pony. A good headset, superb carriage and high action most often define a great Modern Shetland performance pony.
The spirited Modern show pony is well-suited for the professional horseman but, well-trained, can also do well for the amateur, lady or youth exhibitors. Sometimes, Modern Shetlands may be children's mounts, used in costume classes or found in competitions such as barrel racing. Given their desire to please and perform, Moderns also make ideal pleasure, endurance or show carriage driving animals.
This is a show persons pony, and, although Moderns may require the extra care of a show horse, they are certainly worth such maintenance with their high-stepping action, the ire of energy they possess and the style they bring to the show ring.
Compared to many other show horse breeds, Modern Shetlands are extremely affordable. Given their pony size, they are also easier to maintain. All they ask in return -- the chance to perform and dazzle!
For more information, contact the American Shetland Pony Club, 6748 North Frostwood Parkway, Peoria, Illinois, 61515.
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