A Recognized Club of the ASPC/AMHR


INTRODUCTION TO ASPC/AMHR

The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) in Morton, Illinois was founded in 1888 and is the only registry for Shetlands in the United States. Over 150,000 animals have been registered since that time and the ASPC has been experiencing unprecedented numbers of new members each year. Registered Shetlands are bred and shown in two varieties, Classics and Moderns. And, just recently in 1996, the ASPC opened a registy for American Show Ponies. Classics and Moderns must be 46" and under in height. American Show Ponies must meet a maximum overall exhibition height of 48" or less. The Moderns and American Show Ponies are slightly more refined, more spirited and more animated than the Classics and are often trained as high-stepping driving and show ponies.
In 1971, ASPC voted to begin accepting a newly described breed for registration---the American Miniature Horse. At the time, maximum height for the miniatures was arbitrarily set at 34". The AMHR was the first registry for American Miniature Horses in the United States and was to always be administrated by and under the guidance of their founding group, the American Shetland Pony Club. Later, in 1986, a landmark decision of the ASPC/AMHR Board of Directors created a division for B section miniatures, with heights over 34", up to and including 38".
The official instrument of the ASPC/AMHR is a beautiful, full size and full color publication, The Journal. Six informative and photo-packed issues a year keep subcribers fully informed of all Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse breeders' activities, news, shows and other events throughout the country. The address and phone number for registry matters as well as for subscriptions to The Journal is:

ASPC/AMHR
81B E Queenwood
Morton, Ill 61550
(309) 263-4044


SHETLAND PONY HISTORY AND BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Many Shetlands came from Island stock and were not registered as any breed until the first registry in the United States, the ASPC, founded in 1888. Therefore, even some of the original imports were not purebred but were of a small, uniform stock type.
Some had excellent harness action and this was early on developed, by some breeders, to make a very stylish pony in harness. Most early ponies were under 42”, and today the height limit for registered ponies in the U.S. is 46”, 44” in Canada,and 42” in Great Britian (founded in 1890) and Scotland.
The Shetland has retained its hardiness, good feet and bone, easy keeping abilities and good temper. Its conformation is compact, correct and pony-like. Shetlands come in almost every color and color pattern except appaloosa. They make good children's mounts and are excellent jumpers and are adapted to various driving skills which include pleasure driving, obstacle driving and combined driving events.
The Shetland became the basis for the Modern American Shetland by crossing them with Hackney and Welsh, the American Miniature Horse by picking the smallest individuals and selecting very small animals from other breeds, and will no doubt be a contributing factor in the American Show Pony Registry. Shetlands have been a great asset in the breeding of larger cross-bred ponies, and these make great second ponies for children.

MINIATURE HORSE HISTORY AND BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Beginning in the 1900’s, many registered Shetlands were as small as 28”. Approximately 25% of the Shetland Ponies registered in the first volume of the ASPC Stud Book were 38” or under at the TOP of the withers. There were 36 Shetlands in the first Stud Book which were all registered under 34” in height. It wasn't until 1948 that the first class for “Midget Ponies” was included as a part of the Shetland Congress (In those early years—and up until 1971— miniatures were referred to as “Midget Ponies”). In 1967, Smith McCoy hosted the first Midget Pony sale in Tazewell, VA, and many aspiring new breeders acquired their beginning stock. The large McCoy herd was purported to not have a pony over 32” in height. When the AMHR was formed in 1971, the original committee members decided on the height of 34” and under measured at the last hair of the mane and changed the name to American Miniature Horse.
The AMHR was established “to encourage the perpetuation and improvement of the American Miniature Horse by providing and preserving an accurate and concise record of births, pedigrees and ownership.” Miniature enthusiasts, owners and breeders were encouraged to become active members of the ASPC as it was the parent organization and would be the administrator of the AMHR. Early in 1972, MINI PONY TONY, 29” (#001P) was the first AMHR horse to be registered.
The general impression of an American Miniature Horse should be that of a small, sound well-balanced equine, exhibiting strength, agility and alertness. The disposition should be eager, willing to please and friendly. The conformation, head and legs of a good miniature should beas free of faults as any larger-sized breed of horses and ponies. Legs must be straight and teeth meet evenly.
Miniatures come in nearly every color known to the equine world, with any coat color, eye color and/or marking pattern being acceptable for showing and breeding. “A” division miniatures must be 34” and under and “B” division miniatures must be over 34”, up to and including 38”.
Miniatures are shown throughout the country in breed and performance classes. Breed classes are divided by ages, sex, heights and color, and performance classes include pleasure driving, hunter, jumper, obstacle in hand and harness, fine harness and costume. There are many classes for amateurs and youth. Even the elderly, physically or mentally challenged may raise, show and enjoy these tiniest of the equine world.

AREA VII SHETLAND PONY & MINIATURE HORSE ASSOCIATION

Area VII of the ASPC/AMHR includes the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada. In recent years this area has experienced a phenomenal rise in the popularity of all types of small equine. Many new clubs have been formed within Area VII and their communication with one another on a regular basis has become crucial. It is hoped that this organization will serve to form an alliance between all of the present Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse Clubs, as well as between individual enthusiasts. Our common cause is to establish active communication between the owners and breeders of both Shetlands and Miniatures, and to nurture the formation of new Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse groups in Area VII.

BECOMING INVOLVED IN YOUR ASPC/AMHR AREA CLUB

The 2001 Officers of the Area VII Shetland Pony & Miniature Horse Association are as follows:

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Last modified 03/16/01
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