Pony of the Americas

[QuesthavenFarms]

The Pony of the Americas (POA) is a pony breed developed in the state of Iowa in the United States. The foundation stallion was an Arabian/Appaloosa/Shetland pony cross. A breed registry was founded in 1954, and within 15 years had registered 12,500 ponies. Today, the Pony of the Americas Club is one of the largest and most active youth-oriented horse breed registries in the US. Although called ponies, POAs have the phenotype of a small horse, combining mainly Arabian and American Quarter Horse attributes. The registry is open, allowing blood from many other breeds, but has strict criteria for entry, including Appaloosa coloration, specified height and other physical characteristics. Although mainly bred for Western riding, the breed has been used for many other disciplines, including driving, endurance riding and some English disciplines.

Breed characteristics
Ponies are only registered with the Pony of the Americas club if they have Appaloosa coloring visible from 40 feet (12 m), otherwise known as "loud" Appaloosa coloring. The coloration includes the typical leopard complex characteristics of mottling around the eyes, muzzle and genitalia, as well as visible white sclera of the eyes and striped hooves. Pinto coloration is not allowed, nor is ancestry from a breed noted for pinto coloring, such as the American Paint Horse. The facial profile of the POA is slightly concave. It is a muscular breed, with a deep chest and well-sloped shoulders. The breed averages 11.2 to 14 hands (46 to 56 inches, 117 to 142 cm) high. Despite having the size and name "pony", the breed has the phenotype (physical characteristics) of a small horse of an American Quarter Horse/Arabian type, not a true pony breed.

The Pony of the Americas Club will register the offspring of registered POAs, as well crosses with Connemaras, Galiceno ponies, Australian Stock Horses, Morgans and Thoroughbreds, and the original Appaloosa and Arabian breeds. These crosses are allowed into the registry as full members as long as they meet the physical breed requirements. Crosses with other breeds, including Quarter ponies, Shetland ponies, Anglo-Arabs, Spanish Mustangs and Welsh ponies, are accepted on an individual basis.

History

An Appaloosa, one of the founding breeds of the POA
The POA was developed in the United States in the 1950s by Les Boomhower, a Shetland pony breeder in Iowa. The foundation stallion of the breed was an Arabian/Appaloosa/Shetland pony cross with Appaloosa markings named Black Hand. Boomhower appreciated the stallion's conformation and disposition and decided to use him to develop a new breed of Appaloosa-colored ponies. In 1954, Boomhower and a group of associations founded the Pony of the Americas Club, with Black Hand receiving the first registration number. A year later, twelve ponies and twenty-three members had been registered. The club's goal was to develop a medium-sized pony for older children and small adults, with the coloration of the Appaloosa, the refinement of the Arabian and the muscle and bone of an American Quarter Horse. Originally the height requirement called for ponies between 44 and 52 inches (110 and 130 cm); in 1963 this was changed to a range of 46 and 54 inches (120 and 140 cm), and in 1985 a final change was made to height, raising the upper limit to 56 inches (140 cm).

Black Hand


Although originally developed mainly for Western riding and stock uses, it has also been seen competing in endurance riding, three-day eventing, show hunter, and driving. It jumps well, and can be used for dressage. Originally, breed club shows did not allow people over the age of 16 to show POAs under saddle; adults could, however, show them in halter or driving classes. In 1973, the age limit for riders was raised to 18, and in 1987 it was decided that adults 19 and over could show horses two to four years old under saddle.

[QuesthavenFarms]

Got my first POA today quite by accident while working toward spots. He is not marked but hopefully that will soon follow.

Anyone else want to share their POAs? I know there five others in the game as of today. Anyone have a POA with spots?
QHF

[QuesthavenFarms]

Here's my first with markings. He is crossed with Shetland. I love to exchange POA breedings if anyone is interested.
QHF Double River

[TaravellaTerrace]

I've got a few you may be interested in. I've successfully bred the first POAs and am now trying to add color to my lines. I have a few POA crosses, would either of these work for your program? You can have them for free.

http://www.horseworldonline.net/horse/profile/196062
http://www.horseworldonline.net/horse/profile/199935

They came out... different lol. I've had a handful of pure POA fillies born but no colts so far. Ugh. All I need is one good colt lol

[TaravellaTerrace]

Here are my girls

http://www.horseworldonline.net/farm/pasture/6318

[QuesthavenFarms]

I've got a few you may be interested in. I've successfully bred the first POAs and am now trying to add color to my lines. I have a few POA crosses, would either of these work for your program? You can have them for free.

http://www.horseworldonline.net/horse/profile/196062
http://www.horseworldonline.net/horse/profile/199935

They came out... different lol. I've had a handful of pure POA fillies born but no colts so far. Ugh. All I need is one good colt lol

Right now, I don't have room. I am focusing on getting pure Shetlands and Appys with spots and then I will try for some POAs. I have my stud on my other acct. He is the only POA stud standing. You are welcome to breed to him for free. I really want to get POAs going. Let me know if you want to breed to him and when. I will post him for a buck. I put him high to avoid ALL the POAs in the game being related to him. That happened to me when I put up my Holsteins. I amde money but then found it hard to breed out my mares to anyone because they all were out of the stand couple of stallions. LOL
QHF High Example

[QuesthavenFarms]

Here is my recent failure attempt at POA. I like him too much to rehome him.
QHF Sprinkles Albie

[TaravellaTerrace]

I could very much use your stud offer. My oldest mare, Primera, is 15 and I'd love to be able to breed her to another POA before she passes.

[TaravellaTerrace]

Oh, no. It appears your stud has passed. D:

[QuesthavenFarms]

Oh, no. It appears your stud has passed. D:

Sorry. I totally missed it happening. Hope to have more soon to share.