| ony of the Americas, more commonly referred to as | | | | chapters throughout the United States and Canada |
| the POA, is a popular and growing breed that was | | | | that offer, state shows, regional shows and sales, a |
| designed as a mount especially for young riders who | | | | world class international show and sale and a world |
| were too big for a small pony but not ready for a | | | | championship show in addition to Play Days and other |
| full-sized horse. The small size of the POA makes it | | | | events year round. The age limit of a child showing a |
| easy for parents to match a child to the proper pony. | | | | POA changed from age 16 in 1954 to age 18 in 1973 |
| The Pony of the Americas is a distinctive pony breed | | | | and in 1987, age19 and over riding classes were added |
| that looks more like a small horse and possessing the | | | | with a limitation that the POA under saddle is to be |
| attractive coloration of the Appaloosa. Their quiet | | | | only 2, 3, and 4 year olds in training. Since the shows |
| disposition and gentle nature make them highly | | | | are designed around youths, adults are limited to |
| competitive in all equine disciplines. It is a rugged, athletic | | | | showing the animals only in halter or pleasure driving |
| pony with the speed for games and jumping; strength | | | | classes. However, this makes the breed a pony for |
| for driving small carts; and the intelligence and patience | | | | the whole family. |
| for showmanship and equitation. | | | | The Pony of the Americas should show style and |
| Les Boomhower, of Mason City, Iowa, was a Shetland | | | | substance, beauty and symmetry, being a balanced |
| pony breeder and an attorney with his own practice | | | | individual regardless of size and correct in all aspects |
| and in 1954 one of his neighbors offered him an | | | | of conformation, exhibiting approved color patterns and |
| Arabian/Appaloosa mare who had been bred to a | | | | characteristics. At maturity, the POA is between 12 |
| Shetland stallion that was due to foal in the spring. Les | | | | and 15 hands inches in height at the withers and |
| waited until the foal was born before he bought the | | | | typically weighs 750 to 950 pounds. |
| mare. The resulting colt born was white with what | | | | In addition to the refined head with dished, Arab-like |
| looked like black paint smears all over his little body. | | | | nose showing mottled skin about the nostrils and lips, |
| What intrigued the lawyer the most were the spots on | | | | the Pony of the Americas has expressive eyes and |
| the colt's flank that formed a definite black hand, which | | | | fine ears. The chest is deep and broad, the back is |
| was the basis for the colt's name, Black Hand. | | | | short and the shoulders are sloping. The quarters are |
| Mr. Boomhower had an idea to provide a pony breed | | | | substantial, and the legs should have ample bone. The |
| between 44" and 52" tall that would be good for | | | | POA is a strong, fast, and durable pony capable of |
| children to ride and show and that had the beautiful | | | | performing a wide variety of tasks. |
| head of an Arab; a body muscled for speed like the | | | | The POA is most commonly recognized by their |
| Quarter Horse; and coloring distinguishable as an | | | | variety of colorful coat patterns that are similar to |
| Appaloosa from a distance of 40 feet along with good | | | | Appaloosas, from blankets to leopard spots; mostly |
| stamina. He invited his Shetland breeder friends to his | | | | white over their loins and hips with dark, egg-shaped |
| Memory Lane Ranch to discuss the idea and that was | | | | spots, although the spots may vary in size from |
| when the Pony of the Americas Club (POAC) was | | | | specks to spots four inches in diameter. Spots may be |
| born. Mr. Boomhower's expertise in the law set up a | | | | dark in the middle with a lighter ring surrounding it, called |
| solid foundation for the new breed registry of this | | | | a halo. White over the hips without dark spots is |
| distinguished pony's off-spring. As the foundation | | | | known as snow-capped. Ponies that have white hairs |
| stallion for the Pony of the Americas breed, his colt | | | | mixed in with the base coat color are said to be roan. |
| was given the first registration number and is now | | | | Ponies with Paint, pinto or albino parentage or markings |
| known as Black Hand #1. | | | | cannot be registered. |
| Among the breeds influencing the original POA were | | | | The POA also has other distinctive characteristics |
| the Arab, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, | | | | such as mottled skin; white sclera around the eyes; |
| Welsh Pony, and Shetland Pony. In1963, the height limit | | | | and vertical black-and-white striped hooves in the |
| of the breed increased to between 46 inches and 54 | | | | absence of white leg markings. It is possible a POA will |
| inches and the Shetland started being phased out of | | | | not have any striping on its hooves, so for this reason, |
| the POA breeding program. Larger ponies such as the | | | | the other characteristics of mottled skin and white |
| Welsh and small horses such as the wild Mustang and | | | | sclera are the primary ones to look for in identifying the |
| the Arabian were combined with Indian ponies, Quarter | | | | POA. The mottled or parti-colored skin is a unique trait |
| Horses and Appaloosas to achieve a "little horse" look | | | | found in the Appaloosa and POA and therefore it is a |
| rather than the pony look of the Shetland. In 1986 the | | | | basic decisive indicator of a POA and it should show |
| upper height limit of the breed was again increased, | | | | good contrast between the dark and light areas. All |
| this time to 56". Today, the Pony of the Americas is | | | | horses and ponies can show white around the eye if it |
| created by crossing registered POAS; by crossing a | | | | is rolled back, up and down, or if the eyelid is lifted. The |
| registered POA with a registered horse or pony of an | | | | POA sclera is white and usually readily visible when |
| approved breed (see POAC for list); or, by crossing a | | | | the eye is in a normal, relaxed position. |
| registered POA with a grade horse or pony that has | | | | POA has 4 gaits. The walk is straight with a long, easy |
| been identified with the POAC as being acceptable for | | | | stride that is true and flat footed. The Western Jog |
| breeding purposes. By 1996, the POAC had over | | | | Trot is soft, relaxed, and quiet with a definite two beat |
| 45,000 registered ponies. | | | | gait. The English Trot is a free-moving stride, executed |
| The Pony of the Americas Club, Inc is now an | | | | in a long, low frame with no excessive knee or hock |
| international organization that it is the only equine breed | | | | action. The Lope or Canter is rolling and comfortable |
| organization devoted to youth riders. From the original | | | | with a natural three beat pattern. |
| Club came more than 40 POA state clubs and | | | | |