The American Show Pony Registry (ASPR) Committee added $6,000 in incentive prize money for the ASPR classes at the World Championship Show and Shetland Pony Congress for 2008. The American Show Pony Registry is a division of the American Shetland Pony Club.

The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) was established in 1888 and today offers registration recordings and award programs for a number of small equines, including American Shetland Ponies, American Miniature Horses and several Shetland Pony types and crosses. In 1995, the ASPC created the American Show Pony Registry, which recognized ponies of Shetland and Hackney descent up to 48” in height at the wither. These larger, flashy ponies are especially suited to driving and draw a lot of attention in the show ring.

The ASPC offers many competitive opportunities for American Show Ponies, including the National Congress, the World Championship show and eight National Area Shows that are hosted regionally. Additionally, the ASPC sanctions more than 150 shows across the country each year and many include ASPR classes such as harness, roadster, pleasure driving, country pleasure driving and halter. In addition, youth members showing ASPR ponies can reap the outstanding benefits offered by the ASPC youth program, including scholarships, judging programs and number of fun and educational youth events. The ASPC also offers cumulative awards programs for ASPR ponies, including Hall of Fame, All-Star and Pony of The Year recognition programs.

This year the ASPR committee raised an additional $6,000 in incentive prize money to be offered at the two most prestigious ASPR events the ASPC World Championship Show held in conjunction with the Ohio State Fair Horse Show, July 22-July 25, in Columbus, OH, and the Shetland Pony National Congress, July 30-August 2, 2008, to be held in Cloverdale, IN.

The committee added the incentives to promote the ASPR division and encourage registration and participation. To be eligible to compete for theses incentives and all the ASPR classes, the ponies must be registered with the ASPR and meet the 48" height requirement. The owners must be members of the ASPC/American Miniature Horse Registry. For full details and registration and entry forms, visit www.shetlandminiature.com or call the ASPC at (309) 263-4044.

“We are very excited to offer these addition incentives,” said ASPR Committee Chair Mary Wahl. “We want people to join in all the fun, and we hope that adding an additional $750 per class in the harness, roadster, pleasure and country driving division, may be just the incentive pony owners need."

The American Shetland Pony Club, the American Show Pony Registry and the American Miniature Horse Registry are non-profit organizations established to preserve and refine the bloodlines of these small equines and promote the enjoyment of small equines. Recognized as the oldest and most versatile registry in the United States, the American Shetland Pony Club offer a variety of programs for Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse enthusiasts of all ages. Visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or 81-B East Queenwood Road, Morton, IL 61550.