The Pony of the Americas (POA)
By Heather Brown

The Pony of the Americas, also known as the POA, is said to be the mini version of the Appaloosa. POA’s have a docile temperament, willing attitude and are extremely smart and quick to learn. POA’s have certain characteristics not found in other pony breeds. They must have mottled skin, striped hooves and have sclera (white of the eyes). There are 7 recognizable approved coat patterns: snowflake, frost, blanket, leopard, white with dark spots over hindquarters, marbleized roan and few spot leopard. POA’s are truly the peacock of the pony world!

The POA’s history starts back in 1954. Les Boomhower (founder of the POAC) was given an Arab/Appaloosa cross who was accidentally bred by a Shetland stallion. The foal was born white with black smudge marks all over it’s body. This colt named Black Hand inspired Les to start the Pony of the Americas club. By 1963 the Shetland was disappearing and being replaced by larger ponies, such as the Welsh and small horses such as the Mustang and the Arab. Quarter Horses and Appaloosa’s were also bred to achieve the desired look, which gives us the POA we know today.

The Pony of the Americas Club accepts ponies 46-56 inches in height exhibiting approved coat patterns and characteristics. POA’s are registered with either permanent, blue ID or pink ID papers. Permanent papers are for those ponies who meet all requirements by January 1st after their 5th birthday. Pink ID papers are for ponies ineligible for permanent due to under or over the height limit. They cannot be shown or received POAC awards. They are for breeding stock only. Blue ID are for ponies born solid and with no characteristics. They are also for breeding stock only. There are over 39,000 registered ponies worldwide. The POAC objective is to develop a breed that is suitable for youth and to provide an avenue of participation that is wholesome and family oriented.

All in all, the POA makes an excellent all around pony, excelling in what ever it does. Whether it be halter, western events, hunters, dressage or eventing, the POA is a pony you can count on! For more information on the POA check out there website at http://www.poac.org or contact me for my personal experience at piaffe529@mindspring.com.

**Information was taken from the POAC handbook and from my personal experience.

About the Author: Heather Brown
	"My mom always jokes that the first word out of my mouth was “horse” and my love for horses comes from the Irish in me! Having come from a non-horsy family I worked weekends during high school to pay for my lessons. During sophomore year I then took on a working student position with an event rider. After graduation we moved to the city and I had a 9 yr. period of no horses. Two years ago my husband and I moved to a different state and out in the country, so naturally I had to have horses. I can now be found training a variety of breeds, including my dressage prospect Percheron/Belgian draft gelding and my POA fillies. My goals are to get draft horses and POA’s the recognition they deserve in excelling in english disciplines."
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