Recognizing that Shetland Ponies and Miniature Horses make excellent driving partners, the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., embarked on a partnership with the American Driving Society in 2010. This win-win endeavor allows ADS to promote its driving events and opportunities to small equine enthusiasts and allows Shetland and Miniature owners to show off the driving ability of their animals.
As part of the partnership, ASPC/AMHR’s Breed Promotion committee has made awards possible at ADS events for champions in the Very Small Equine and Small Pony categories. Recently, several driving trials have been held at Happ’s, Inc., in Ethel, WA, and the initial ASPC/AMHR sponsored ribbons were awarded at one of these events.
Winners of these first ribbons at Happ’s, Inc., were:
- Training Small Pony-Diane Zmolek
- Training VSE-Carol Elvin
- Preliminary VSE-Tammy Osgood
- Intermediate VSE-Many Hood
Although the ribbon sponsorship is new, ASPC/AMHR members have been checking out ADS offerings on the local level for close to 10 years now. Dr. Pam Ripperda first got involved with some ADS pleasure driving activities in Iowa with her family and a group of youth interested in driving.
“The ADS experience is really about horsemanship. We had lessons such as learning how to pass and how to drive safely,” said Dr. Pam. “Overall, our reinsmanship really improved.”
In order to best serve the small equine divisions, the American Driving Society needed Shetland and Miniature Breed Stewards. With interest in growing the relationship between ADS and ASPC/AMHR over recent years, the idea for a partnership was born. Today, ASPC/AMHR breeds have their own ADS stewards. A growing number of ASPC/AMHR members are learning more about ADS events and getting involved in them with their ponies or Minis. There are many ADS pleasure driving shows and activities across the country, and those are a natural and easy fit for many of our driving enthusiasts. You can learn more by visiting the ADS website or checking out local facilities.
There is also a growing interest in the Combined Driving Event opportunities ADS now provides to Shetlands and Minis. Recognizing the driving potential but physical difference of small equine, the ADS created a Very Small Equine division.
Members such as Pamela Bailey and Diane Zmolek have begun sharing some of their adventures with their Minis and Shetlands at these ADS events. Zmolek, soon to be a member of the ASPC/AMHR board of directors for Area VIII, is especially active with ADS. She is a breed steward for Shetlands and can be found promoting the ADS at events such as the ASPC/AMHR National Convention. You can learn more about the experiences of members such as Bailey and Zmolek by revisiting articles both have published in 2010.
There are numerous local ADS driving events across the United States and Canada. They give ASPC/AMHR driving enthusiasts a great way to enjoy their small equine outside of the breed show ring. Check them out. You could be the next to win some of the championship ribbons sponsored by the ASPC/AMHR at qualified ADS events!
For more information about the ASPC, AMHR or any of its programs such as the partnership with the American Driving Society, visit http://www.shetlandminiature.com or call the ASPC/AMHR Office at (309) 263-4044.