...and its a Filly!

"Stalheijden Velvetbuck Silver Diva" of the Netherlands owned by Erica and Marco Van Der Heifden.  She is a beautiful black pinto out of Ravenwood Aristocrat Sweet As Pie and by Libertymeres Velvet Buckeroo (owned by Angelique van Nederpelt).

American Shetland Pony Club/American Miniature Horse Registry Youth Program Gears up for 2012

Offers Activities for Youngsters Interested in American Shetlands,
American Miniature Horses and American Show Ponies

Morton, IL — The American Shetland Pony Club, Inc.’s, Youth Committee is gearing up for a stellar 2012 with a new small equine give-away and many programs and awards for youth involved with Shetlands, Miniatures or Show Ponies.

The ASPC’s Youth Committee recently announced that the 2012 Youth Packet is now available from the dedicated youth website at www.aspcamhryouth.com This packet summarizes all of the youth activities, programs and awards for 2012 and provides all of the necessary rules and forms for these offerings as well.

For 2012’s ASPC youth program, the biggest change will be the cancellation of the essay contest at both the Shetland Congress and AMHR Nationals. However, in an exciting and bold move, the Youth Committee is replacing these activities with a Chance of Love essay contest.

The Chance of Love contest is open to all youth who are members of ASPC, Inc., and its subsidiary associations, the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) and the American Show Pony Registry (ASPR). Youth memberships are free and are available through the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR website at www.shetlandminiature.com.  Adult members of ASPC are encouraged to sponsor youth in their area, thereby giving youngsters a chance to participate in the contest and possibly win an equine of their very own.

Presently, the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR’s Youth Committee is accepting nominations for Shetland or Miniature Horse donations for the contest.  Donations may be considered from any current member of the association.  For those willing to donate an essay equine, the application and selection process is open until February 15. The information to apply as well as rules for selection may be found in the 2012 Youth Packet.

ASPC/AMHR/ASPR youth members are reminded that they must renew their youth card each year in order to show or take part in youth activities sanctioned by the association. However, youth memberships are free.  

Several programs, projects or deadlines for youth members will soon happen.  First, the 2011 year-end award winners will soon be announced.  Next, when the 2012 show season kicks off shortly, many local shows sanctioned by the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR will offer Youth Committee-sponsored awards.  

The applications for the junior royalty at both the ASPC/ASPR Congress and the AMHR National Show will be due April 1.  June 1 is the deadline for the youth T-Shirt design contest and scholarship applications as well as the Dan Langfeld, Jr., and Audrey Barrett award applications. These are all programs and awards available to ASPC/AMHR/ASPR youth members.

The ASPC/AMHR/ASPR Youth Program has offered a growing number of awards, programs and fun activities for the youth involved with Shetlands, Miniature Horses and Show Ponies since the mid-90s. Each year, ASPC/AMHR/ASPR youth members can apply for several dozen different awards, can earn prizes at local shows, can win scholarships, may try to win a free small equine and more. The Youth Program also offers a variety of educational and growth activities for youth such as the Quiz Bowl program, Junior Judging and more.

To learn more about the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR Youth Program, visit the dedicated youth website: www.aspcamhryouth.com

To sponsor a youth member or to learn about youth memberships, contact the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., through its website at www.shetlandminiature.com or call the ASPC/AMHR Office at (309) 263-4044.

As of January 2012, Small Ponies (39" to 47.25") can compete in a CDE events with or without a Navigator. 

Check out an ADS Event near you!
ADS Calendar

Morton, IL – The American Miniature Horse Registry will slash its fees for hardshipping qualified horses into the AMHR by half from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012.

The hardship fees for eligible stallions will drop from $400 to $200 for the next calendar year while the fees for eligible mares and geldings will be reduced from $200 to $100.

These tremendous offers come by action of the organization’s national board at its recent national convention.

“Who doesn’t love a sale?” noted ASPC/AMHR officer Lewella Tembreull.  She added, “This particular sale is a win-win for our organization and our members.  Our members benefit because many have horses to hardship.   In turn, the association receives additional work, and there will be more horses registered that can then participate in shows or programs such as the Breeders Futurities.”

Miniatures that may benefit from this price drop are any horses currently registered with the American Miniature Horse Registry and American Shetland Pony Club that have reached their third birthday and that meet the height requirements of the AMHR.  Other horses registered with a competing registry may also be eligible.  

In other news for the American Miniature Horse Registry, owners and enthusiasts with registered three-year-old AMHR horses are reminded to update temporary registrations to permanent on those eligible horses.  Updates from temporary to permanent are due by Dec. 31.

The American Miniature Horse registry is the oldest Miniature Horse registry in existence.  Each year it registers anywhere from 7,500 to upwards of 10,000 horses.   AMHR conducts a national championship show each fall in Tulsa, OK.  This event draws more than small equine, making it the single largest event for Miniature Horses in existence.  Each year, AMHR gives away in excess of $60,000 in its futurities, incentives and stakes.  

For more information on the American Miniature Horse Registry, its programs or the sale on hardships, call 309-263-4044 or visit the association website at www.shetlandminiature.com.

Just the words Shetland Pony bring an immediate image to mind for many equine enthusiasts.  American Shetland Ponies and their slightly larger cousins, the American Show Pony, bear little resemblance to that preconceived notion many will conjure, however.

Morton, IL —  Thanks to this fall’s member survey, Breed Promotions for the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., and the American Miniature Horse Registry has collected some amazing stories it can share to further promote how wonderful small equine are.

It’s no secret to American Shetland and American Show Pony (ASPR) enthusiasts: these dynamic, athletic and versatile smaller pony breeds make excellent driving partners.  Their driving panache is proven at numerous shows and competitions across North America each year.  

Driving options for American Shetlands and American Show Ponies are diverse. Roadster and fine harness spring readily to mind to those familiar with society pony show driving.  Beyond those divisions, these small equine thrive in several pleasure divisions and as hitch and carriage animals as well.  Obstacle driving is another venue where Shetlands especially excel.

AT THE ASPC/AMHR/ASPR CONVENTION HELD November 1-6, 2011 in Portland Oregon, President Pat Sanders officially established the American Driving Society Committee.

Kensington to be the Official Blanket of the ASPC and the American Miniature Horse Registry

Morton, IL — The American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., is pleased to announce that Kensington Protective Products will again be a corporate sponsor in 2012.  Kensington is becoming the official blanket of the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry.

Amateurs showing Shetlands or Miniatures next year will specifically benefit from the sponsorship.  Kensington will provide winter waterproof blankets for 45 amateur champions at the 2012 AMHR National Show and 35 amateur champions at the 2012 Shetland Congress.

Much anticipated and many months/hours of work have finally been submitted to view by the Membership and the Public.

The ASPC/AMHR Technology Committee let launch a new cleaner, concise, and hopefully easier place to find forms site today.  The new site features a Classifieds Listing utilizing Paypal, link to the ASPC/AMHR Facebook page, a place members can submit photos of their horses and ponies, International Language Translators, listings, area to sign up for our ENewsletter - and so much more information for the general public to "get to know" our Breeds/Divisions and our Membership to enjoy their animals and have much more information at their fingertips.