Essay Contest 7 and Under

Attention Youth Ages 7 and Under! Due to a generous donation from Cherryville Farms, we have a Contest just for you! A beautiful Cherryville Pony will be given away to one youth age 7 and Under! 

We know actually "Writing Essays" might be a bit difficult to compete with the older kids. So we have created a worksheet instead! Please fill out worksheet below and make sure to include youth name and youth number in top right corner. 

Good luck! Winner will be announced at Nationals during Youth awards. Youth does not need to be present to win. Contest ends August 30. 

Youth Essay Contest 7 and Under

Essay Contest Ages 8 - 17yrs

Empathy...... is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes. To show someone/something Love, Caring and Compassion? 

Choose 1 or more  Empathy Writing Prompt Below.....

1. How can we show Empathy to our ponies? 

2. Has your favorite pony ever showed you or someone else compassion, feelings or Love? 

3. Can horses  understand us and show us Love? If so, how?

4. Describe the " day in the life" of a show pony. (So from the ponies stand point of view. Using Empathy). 

Youth please remember there are NO wrong answers! These Essays are written from your ideas and imagination. Be creative! Please include your name, youth number and age in top right corner of your essay.

Good luck! A beautiful pony from Cherryvile Farms goes to our winner! Essay Contest ends August 30th, 2019.  Submission can be mailed to AMHR office attention Tina Byers. 

The following Activities/Events can be used for this program are below but are not limited to (see below for further explanation). Please turn in with Youth Award Application Form, Tabulation Sheet and any other forms required.

Activities Worth 3 points each:

Parade (walking)
Fun Shows (shows where no National Points can be earned)
School Demonstrations
TV Broadcast
Newspaper Articles
Billboards
Magazine Articles (non – ASPC/AMHR/ASPR publications)
Club Group Activities (attend clinics, seminars, etc.)
Other activities (please specify on Worksheet or call Chairperson)

Activities Worth 5 points each:

Parade (driving or riding)
Exhibition at County or State Fairs 
Breed Showcase Events (Equine Fairs)
Convalescent Visits (nursing homes, hospitals, children homes etc.)
CDE events
ADT events 

We understand that there are many other types of activities that may be included in earning points with the Program. You may add it to your point total worksheet and it will be up to the discretion of the Youth Committee to decide if the activity qualifies. If you have any questions on whether an activity qualifies and/or how many points it may earn, you may call the Youth Program Chairperson.

Levels of Achievement and Awards
Level I  - 50 Points Youth/Equine will receive a Certificate
Level II  - 125 Points Youth/Equine will receive a Plaque
Level III  - 200 Points Youth/Equine will receive an Award to be determined by Sponsor

Sponsored by Jack & Merry Wicke, River Oaks Farm

Award Description:
Based on points earned by youth who participate in AMHR Lead Line classes. high Point winners selected from applicants in each of the eight Areas of ASPC (provided there is a participant in each Area). Actual award to be determined by the award sponsor. Award is based on the Youth Member points and multiple miniature horses may be counted.

How to Apply:
Submit completed point tabulation sheets along with a Cover Sheet to the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc. - ATTN: Youth. Must be postmarked (or submitted electronically) on or before December 31st. In the event of a tie, winners will receive identical awards.

Sponsored by ASPC, Inc., Youth Committee

Award Description:
Based on points of youth who apply for this award, with the award going to the youth with the highest points of those who apply in each of two divisions - Division A Miniature and Division B Miniature. Award may be won in multiple divisions (A & B) during the same year and may also be won more than once. Award is based on the youth member points and multiple miniature horses may be counted.

How to Apply:
Submit completed point tabulation sheets along with a Cover Sheet to the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc. - ATTN: Youth. Must be postmarked (or electronically submitted) on or before December 31st. Actual award to be determined by sponsor. In the event of a tie, winners will receive identical awards.

Sponsored by ASPC, Inc., Youth Committee

Award Description:
Based on points of Youth who apply for this award, with the award going to the youth with the highest points of those who apply in each of two division - Classic/Foundation Shetland and Modern Shetland. Award may be won in multiple divisions during the same year and may be won more than once. Award is based on the Youth member points and multiple pones may be counted.

How to Apply:
Submit complete point tabulation sheets along with a Cover Sheet to the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc. - ATTN: Youth. Must be postmarked (or electronically submitted) on or before December 31st. Actual award to be determined by sponsor. In the event of a tie, winners will receive identical awards.

Sponsored by Miss Priss Miniatures

Award Description:
This award is based on points acquired from sanctioned ASPC/AMHR/ASPR/NSPPR Shows. Awards based on official results in classes 1145, 1146, 1228, 1238. Division A & B. There will be two National Overall Awards given - one for Shetland and one for Miniature. The award(s) will be determined by the sponsor.

The Youth Horse Companion Program was created in order to give the youth who doesn't participate in sanctioned shows an opportunity to work toward an award by sharing their partnership with a small equine (parades, nursing home visits, educational exhibits, etc.). Click Here for list of activities/events and points.

How to Apply:
1. The youth must be a member of the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., organization (which is comprised of ASPC, AMHR, ASPR, NSPPR, ASPIR registries)

2. The equine must be a registered with the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., (which is comprised of ASPC, AMHR, ASPR, NSPPR, ASPIR registries)

3. The equine must be owned by either the youth or a family member OR the horse may be leased by the youth or their family members through following the organization lease rules (refer to the Official Rule Book).

4. This award is based on one youth and one horse as a team completing activities which promote small equine.

5. Youth may submit more than one Team. This award may be earned concurrently with another Team.

6. Points are awarded per Youth/Equine Team.

7. Points can be accumulated from year to year for each Youth/Equine Team.

8. Levels of Achievement:

Level I: 50 Activities. Youth/Equine Team will receive an award and a certificate.
Level II: 125 Activities. Youth/Equine Team will receive an award and a certificate.
Level III: 200 Activities. Youth/Equine Team will receive an award and a certificate.
Their story will be published in The Journal when space is available.

9. Once Level III has been attained, the Team will be recorded as achieving the Youth Horse Companion of Excellence Award.

10. Once a Team has earned this title, the youth and small equine as a team are no longer eligible to earn this award again. However, either youth or small equine can be part of a different team.

11. The youth must keep records of activities such as parades, workshops, nursing home visits, displays, demonstrations, etc.

12. Activities and Dates must be listed on a worksheet.

13. The cover sheet must be signed by a parent or guardian.

14. Worksheet may be duplicated as needed.

15. Promotional activities that can be used are varied. If there is an activity not listed that you feel should be included, please contact the Youth Committee Chair.

16. The winners will be notified by the Area Youth Committee Member in charge of Awards. There will be an award presented at the National Convention during the Saturday Morning Hall of Fame Breakfast. If winner is unable to attend, the award will be shipped to them.

17. In the event the youth's companion horse dies, another horse/pony can be substituted on the Team. In order to substitute, a statement stating the horse's death must be attached to the award submission along with the replacement horse's registered name and number.

Click Here For Youth Horse Companion Program Activities/Events and Point System

Sponsored by Excaliber Training - Herscher, IL

Award Description:
Created to recognize the ASPR youth pony that is the most competitive in the American Show Pony youth classes. Points to be tabulated on youth handler in the following classes: halter mare/gelding, fine harness, roadster, and pleasure driving. The youth member must show the pony for the points to count for this award. Youth does not have to show the same pony in every class. The actual award to be decided by the sponsor. In the case of a tie, the winners will receive identical awards.

How to Apply:
Submit completed point tabultaion sheets along with a Cover Sheet to the American Shetland pony Club, Inc., Youth Committee. Must be postmarked on or before December 31st. Applicants are responsible for recording the classes entered and the placings earned on the tabulation sheet. All placings will be verified with the official show results from the National Office.

Sponsored by JoMiKo Farms

Award Description:
Created for the ASPC/AMHR Youth COOL classes. Points to be tabulated from Cool classes offered at sanctioned ASPC/AMHR shows. If no youth COOL classes are offered, Open COOL classes may be used to establish points. The youth must show the horse for the points to count towards this award. Youth does not have to show the same horse in every class. There will be one award per year. Award is a jacket embroidered with the winner's name, the year and the ASPC/AMHR COOL Youth Showman of the Year. The winner may choose the color and size of the jacket. In the case of a tie, the winners will receive identical awards.

How to Apply:
Submit completed tabulation sheet along with a Cover Sheet to the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., national office - ATTN: Youth. Entires must be postmarked (or electronically sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) on or before December 31st. Applicants are responsible for recording the classes entered and the placing earned on the tabulation sheet. All placings will be verified with the official show results from the National Office.