About Shetlands

The Shetland Pony is a very strong creature considering its size. American Shetland should not exceed 46' and may fall well below this maximum. The ponies have short but muscular legs, thick coats, and substantial manes, tails and forelocks. They are also recognized by their prominent eyes and refined ears.

General Conformation

As stated in SP104. General Conformation:

Shetland conformation should be that of a strong, attractive, versatile pony, blending the original Shetland type with refinement and quality resulting from American care and selective breeding. The barrel should be well rounded, back short and level, with flat croup. The head should be carried high and on a well arched neck and should be symmetrical and proportionate to the body, with width between prominent eyes; a fine jaw; short, sharp and erect ears; small muzzle, with flaring nostrils and a refined throat latch. The pony shall have a full mane and tail; coat should be fine and glossy; no discrimination should be made because of color of coat or eyes. The pony’s structure should be strong with refinement; high withers; sloping shoulders; flat boned, muscular legs (not cow or sickle hocked); strong, springy pasterns and good, strong serviceable feet.

Breed History

The American Shetland Pony Club was organized in 1888 for the recording of pedigrees of purebred Shetland Ponies.

The American Shetland Pony Club, incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, is the only official registry of Shetland ponies in the United States. The reason for existence, according to some, is that people will pay more money for a Shetland that is registered than for a pony that is not registered. However, when false records are written in the pedigree of the pony, the pedigree is worthless to the breeder. The integrity of the breed is dependent on accurate records that are submitted by the breeder and recorded by the organization. The buyers of Shetland ponies should know that the Certificate of Registration is a paper that assures the new owners, the pony is indeed a purebred.

The American Shetland Pony Club was organized in 1888, and the first Stud Book was printed in 1893. In November 1899, the initial convention meeting was called by a group of men to commit the breeding interest of the country to support the International Livestock Exposition at Chicago. The meeting was held in the Livestock Exchange Building at the Union Stock Yards, in Chicago. According to reports, by 1909 the membership had increased to 310.

1946/47 Harness Show Pony Registry started for crossbred ponies.

Over the years the increase in membership and number of ponies recorded was very slight with sometimes only eight to ten members attending the annual meetings. In the year 1929 only one new membership was issued. In 1937 the corporation was dissolved by a decree of Superior Court for failure to file an annual report in 1936. This made it necessary to re-incorporate and form a new club. The minutes of the meeting of June 10, 1942, show that the application for incorporation was signed, and a new constitution and by-laws were adopted.

1948 The first American Shetland Pony Journal was printed.

In 1946 the first breed promotion sale was held in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1946/47 the Harness Show Pony Registry was started for the recording of crossbred ponies (½ Shetland and ½ Hackney or Welsh). The height limit of the Harness Show Pony was 47", measured at the withers.

1947 was the first year prefix and suffix listings were available, and in 1948 the first American Shetland Pony Journal was published.

In 1951 the first banquet was held on the evening prior to the annual meeting, thus establishing a tradition which has been enjoyed every year since. Each year showed a definite increase in the functions of the club, registrations, transfers, memberships, and other activities.

The first membership cards were issued in 1952, and in May 1956, the American Shetland Pony Club moved to the new office that had been built in Lafayette, Indiana.

The ASPC membership voted to revalidate the certificates of all living Shetlands in 1968. This was done to find out exactly how many registered ponies there were in this country so that better projections could be made for the future, as well as clear out once and for all a lot of old registrations laying around.

In 1970 the B Division of the American Shetland Pony Club was established, which allowed the crossing of registered Hackney or Welsh blood with Shetland Blood.

As times changed so did the active breeders, and it was their desire to have a more stream-lined, show type Shetland pony. To achieve the breeders’ goals, in 1970 the Shetland Pony Club started accepting for entry in the registry the result of crossing registered Hackney blood, or registered Welsh blood, with registered Shetland blood, provided that the animal carried no less than 50% Shetland blood. These animals were entered in the Division B of the Shetland Registry, as compared to Division A, which were those animals that were the offspring of a registered Shetland sire and dam. This crossbred pony is known as the Modern Shetland Pony. Both Division A and Division B Shetland ponies must measure no more than 46" at the withers.

The 1970’s and early 1980’s were years of decline for the American Shetland Pony Club, and in 1984 the American Shetland Pony Club was relocated to Peoria, Illinois and the building in Fowler, Indiana was sold.

In March of 1971, the Executive Secretary and the President of the American Shetland Pony Club met with several breeders of miniature equine at the ASPC office in Lafayette, Indiana to discuss the feasibility of starting a registry for these small animals. The same group met again in August, 1971 at the same location to formulate rules and regulations for the registry, and in January 1972, with the acceptance by the ASPC Board of Directors the first American Miniature Horse was registered. This registry was for horses 34" and under, measured at the last hair of the main.

In 1972 the American Miniature Horse Registry was opened, which accepted animals 34" and under.

In 1983 the ASPC Board of Directors passed a resolution, on a one year trial basis, establishing a show circuit for Original Shetland Ponies. These classes were for the Shetland Pony of the original type Shetland, and the ponies had to be registered Division A. This pony is known as the Classic Shetland Pony.

In 1983 the ASPC Board of Directors passed a resolution, on a one year trial basis, establishing a show circuit for Original Shetland Ponies. These classes were for the Shetland Pony of the original type Shetland, and the ponies had to be registered Division A. This pony is known as the Classic Shetland Pony.

In 1986 the "B" Division of AMHR was opened for horses over 34" to 38".

To address the issue of breeders using animals over 34" for breeding of the miniature horse, at the 1986 National Convention, the "B" Division or Breeding Division was opened for horses measuring over 34" to 38". The registry remained open until November 1, 1992. Breeders expressed interest in showing these animals and B Division classes were added to sanctioned shows.

On December 31, 1994 the Miniature Horse Registry was closed.

On December 31, 1994, the A Division of the Miniature Horse Registry was also closed. At this time, both registries remain closed.

Each year the Modern Shetland Pony Congress is held for the Modern Pony, the National Classic Congress is held for the Classic Shetland Pony, and the National Miniature Horse Show is held for the Miniature Horse. These are held at different locations and on different dates.

Each year The Journal acknowledges the All-Star and Hall of Fame Awards. The All-Star awards are presented yearly by The Journal, to animals for the previous years show point totals. The Hall of Fame award is presented to an animal for its life time total show points. Each of these awards are totaled differently and help generate advertising in The Journal.

United States and Canada divided into eight areas, with two elected directors from each area.

The American Shetland Pony Club has now divided the United States and Canada into eight areas from which the Board of Directors are elected. The Board of Directors are governing agents for the ASPC. Each of the eight areas are represented by two directors. Each of these directors serve a three year term.

With the opening of the miniature horse B Division registry, interest in miniature horse breeding has expanded and since 1986, ASPC/AMHR has experienced phenomenal growth. The National Headquarters office in Peoria has been moved to a larger location in Morton, Illinois, and has for all practical purposes outgrown this larger facility as well.

This has been a very brief overview of the important events and changes that have happened over the last 100 years. Time will tell what new adventures are ahead for the American Shetland Pony Club.

ASCP Geographical Areas

The American Shetland Pony Club has divided the United States and Canada in eight geographical areas. Listed below are the states comprising these areas: