CPOA - POA REGISTRY AND MEMBER SERVICES
In the beginning the POA height limit was 52" (13 h.h.)
as the
breed was originally developed as a mount for small children.
With the
willing nature, saddle horse styled gaits and
ability they proved very
valuable for a saddle mount,
and, back then, the disciplines were mostly
Western.
Since the increase in height and selective breeding programmes,
the POA has advanced to now being very capable in all disciplines
including
hunter, jumper, dressage and gymnastics,
and are being ridden by older
youths and adults alike!
They have now become the using versatile pony
for the whole family.
Over the past couple of years interest in the POA breed has increased
considerably in most provinces in Canada particularly in the West.
It is
really rewarding for POA breeders
to witness the Pony of the Americas pony
become popular with pony clubbers, who definitely test the,
pony's ability
to be versatile while maintaining
good conformation and tractable disposition.
Canada's youth are discovering that this Appaloosa coloured pony is truly
a great working companion enabling them to participate in
pleasure classes
(English and Western), dressage events, jumping, driving, halter,
and timed
events, especially in Prince Philip Games
where a number of POAs have excelled.
The POA today has been in the unique position of being able to use
other established breeds to improve the quality of the POA over
the last
forty years.
During this time breed development has concentrated on producing
a pony that has been specifically bred for a working,
handy and sound saddle
pony with a quiet nature,
wonderful disposition,intelligence and beauty.
POAs possess a lot of heart and will always give their riders
that little
extra when it is needed.
The POA has been used in all disciplines and excels in
Western Pleasure,
Reining, Working Cattle and Games.
As an English mount the POA is able
to show great movement and willingness.
They are currently found to be
wonderful mounts for 3-day events,
coping easily with the discipline in
dressage and jumping
and are durable enough for cross country while maintaining
the soundness to enable them to continue into any endurance competition.
POAs are very versatile.
Many of them are able to be an "all in one"
pony
being capable of showing in Halter, Western, English, Jumping,
Driving,
Trail, Western Games and Prince Philip Games
making them a great all around
family pony
as each family member can use the same POA for their own pleasure
both in the show ring and at home.
There are several programmes available for POA owners and breeders
to participate in. Breeders can enter a variety of futurities for their
young stock as well as achieve Proven Producer awards
for their Mares and
Stallions.
Exhibitors are also rewarded for their efforts with showing
their POAs with programmes available for showing in POA competition
and
open competition.
Blood lines are important to the POA breed
and several well-known
lines have emerged over the years.
However, at this point in time, we are
still able to register
ponies with unknown or unprovable background
which
meet the breed's requirements.
If you know have a pony that would qualify
as a POA
we invite you to contact the CPOA Association
in order to get
it registered.
The POA breed is definitely gaining popularity across the country
as more and more pony clubbers are enjoying great success
in both Prince
Philip Games and hunter/jumper and dressage events.
The future for POAs in Canada looks great
and now is the time to
become involved with this
rapidly growing breed.
Pony of the Americas -
the versatile family pony!