Pony of the Americas: Doing it All

The Pony of the Americas breed was established in 1954 in Iowa and has grown from Black Hand, POA #1, its founding stallion, to a registry of over 50,000 and spread beyond the Americas and into Europe.

The breed standard requirements are 44 to 56 inches in height, the head should be small and dished as the Arab, the body muscled as the Quarter Horse, and the coloring must be Appaloosa visible at 40 feet. Crossings of Arab, Appaloosa, Welsh and Quarter Horse have established that “little horse” look of the POA. In both blanket and leopard patterns, the spots may be darker in the middle with a lighter ring surrounding the spot. This look is called a halo.

The national POA organization has grown to include state clubs, state shows, regional shows and sales, and a world class International Show as well as Eastern and Western Classic shows. POAs can earn Register of Merit awards for halter, performance and gaming. A POA earning all three receives the highest of all awards, the Supreme Champion designation.

The POA is bred to be a gentle, loving mount, and children often exhibit even stallions in the breed. The POA is bred to do it all and do it all day long. The same pony and rider will often compete in halter, showmanship, English flat, over fences, western pleasure, reining, trail, cart and gaming classes all in the same show; the following weekend they'll be hitting the woods for leisurely trail rides. POAs are suitable for youth and adult riders and classes are available for both. POAs truly are the “do it all” breed for someone wanting a smaller mount that can both show well in the ring and be a trail riding best friend. 

Information and photos courtesy Washington State Pony of the Americas Club. For more information, visit www.poac.org.