Morton, IL – The American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., crowned its 2012 all-registry Queen at its recent national convention. Miss Alyssa Palas of Ames, Iowa, will represent the ASPC as well as the American Miniature Horse Registry, the American Show Pony Registry and the National Show Pony Registry throughout the next year.

Alyssa Palas is the 18-year-old daughter of Greg and Barb Palas. She has been involved with the ASPC/AMHR and its small equine breeds since 2001. Ms. Palas actively shows both Shetlands and Miniatures and has garnered a bevy of registry awards and honors in her 10 years with the association.

Palas will travel to ASPC/AMHR events during 2012 to meet and work with association members. She hopes to encourage members to promote Shetlands, Miniatures and Show Ponies on their own in their local areas.

Palas will also work to promote the registry and all its breeds through the media and by attending events such as horse fairs. One of Alyssa’s primary goals as the 2012 ASPC/AMHR Queen is to promote Shetlands and Miniatures through 4-H. She is researching the creation of an essay contest for 4-H that will allow lucky 4-H members to win a small equine. The Palas family has already agreed to supply a Miniature Horse in their own county if the program is approved.

Alyssa will serve at notable ASPC, AMHR or ASPR events throughout 2012 including the National Shetland Congress to be held in Oklahoma in August and the AMHR National Championship, which will also be held in Oklahoma in September. Additionally, Palas will assist and mentor ASPC/AMHR’s junior royal court and interact with all ASPC/AMHR youth throughout the coming year.

The American Shetland Pony Club’s royalty program goes back more than four decades. The program started more than 40 years ago with a single queen who served only the National Congress. Today, the program has grown to include two levels and is open to both male and female applicants. Each year, there can be one national royalty figure for the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR - an ambassador (male) or queen (female.) There are also similar junior positions – either a junior ambassador or princess – for both the ASPC/ASPR National Congress and the AMHR National Show. The senior registry queen or ambassador is a goodwill ambassador who works to represent and promote the entire registry and all of its breeds throughout his or her year-long reign. The junior royalty serve their specific championship show as awards presenters and good will ambassadors to the participating youth and members at each event.

The American Shetland Pony Club provides limited compensation for the various royal positions. Additionally, all royal representatives who complete their duties can earn a savings bond. The program is governed by ASPC/AMHR’s Royalty Committee.

Applications for the junior royalty positions at the 2012 Congress or AMHR Nationals will be due May 1. Applications for the 2013 senior royalty spot will be due June 1. All successful applicants should be a member or a youth member of the ASPC/AMHR. Additional information on the royalty program may be found on the ASPC/AMHR Youth website (www.aspcamhryouth.com) under the “Royalty” link.

The royalty program is one of the oldest recognition programs for youth and young adult members within the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc. The royalty program is a win-win concept for those involved. The ASPC/AMHR and its breeds can receive outstanding support and promotion from its royal representatives while the selected royalty earn recognition and develop outstanding people and promotion skills that will benefit them throughout their life.

For more information on the ASPC/AMHR or any of its program, call 309-263-4044 or visit the association website at www.shetlandminiature.com. Additional information on the royalty program is available through the ASPC/AMHR youth member website at www.aspcamhryouth.com.