OKLAHOMA CITY - Horses considered as gypsy cob, gypsy vanner and other similar types are now eligible for registration with the Pinto Horse Association of America.

Relaxing the rules on draft characteristics, the PtHA is offering a new classification of equines. According to the new rules, horses showing feathers on their legs are now acceptable as long as they are registered with an approved outcross breed association as determined by the PtHA Rule Book and meet the standard color requirements for horses.

These horses will be classified as “utility” and will show only with other utility horses and not other types of Pintos. Classes for these flashy equines will be available in all of the PtHA established disciplines for horses, including, English and western riding, color, halter and driving.

Approved outcross breeds include Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, Gypsy Horse Association, Gypsy Horse Registry of America, Inc., Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, The Gypsy Cob Society (Ireland) and The Gypsy Cob Society (United Kingdom). Other associations and registries will be evaluated on an individual basis.

For more detailed rules, see the registration section of the 2011 Pinto Horse Association Rule Book at www.pinto.org/rulebook or contact the PtHA Registration Department at [email protected] or 405.491.0111 ext. 214.

Incorporated in 1956, the Pinto Horse Association of America was formed to encourage the promotion of quality horses, ponies and miniatures with color and to establish a registry for maintaining their pedigrees and records. Currently, the association serves approximately 12,000 members and boasts more than 140,000 registered Pintos.