American Shetland Ponies and Minis Wow the Crowd at the Secretariat Festival in Kentucky

  • Save
Chuck McCallister gave a harness demonstration with his award-winning pony Seamair All That Glitters during the Secretariat Festival in Paris, Kentucky. (Photo by JRPR)

Paris, KY (October 7, 2010) – While the recent Secretariat Festival in Paris, Kentucky was all about the famous Triple Crown winner called Big Red, some of Secretariat’s smaller equine cousins put on a show during the festival that brought the fans to their feet. Members of the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry (ASPC/AMHR) wowed the crowd with a driving exhibition, costume contest, jumping and halter demonstrations.

Chuck McCallister, of Tuigpaarden Farms in Ocala, Florida and Shelbyville, Kentucky, gave a harness demonstration with his award-winning pony Seamair All That Glitters, a double registered American Show Pony and American Hackney Pony. “Glitter is part of the American Show Pony Registry that was created by the American Shetland Pony Club in 1995,” said Zona Schneider, Director of Operations with the ASPC/AMHR, who was on hand for the Secretariat Festival. “The American Show Pony Registry includes Hackneys, Shetlands and Shetland/Hackney crosses that measure 48” and under at the wither. American Show Ponies are sought after as impressive athletes and are a crowd favorite when they drive into the show ring.”

Glitter lived up to her reputation as a crowd pleaser and not only received a standing ovation but had a crowd of new fans that followed her back to her stall to learn more about the high stepping pony. “I wanted to thank the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry for coming and bringing such beautiful horses to the Secretariat festival,” said Kim Sullivan, organizer of the festival. “Glitter was awesome and my favorite demo of the day.”

  • Save
Is that a tiny buffalo? Patrick, an American Miniature Horse, took part in the costume contest dressed as a miniature buffalo, much to the delight of everyone at the Secretariat Festival. (Photo by JRPR)

While Glitter represented the Shetland Pony breed, an American Miniature Horse named Patrick took part in the costume exhibition dressed as a miniature buffalo – much to the delight of everyone at the Secretariat Festival. “Patrick certainly stole the show with his costume. It was hard to tell that there was actually a mini under there, many people thought he was actually a tiny buffalo,” said Johnny Robb, Director of Marketing for the ASPC/AMHR.

His owners, Jessica and Sara Schaaf, of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, accompanied Patrick in the costume class dressed as Indians and said that Patrick is often mistaken for a real buffalo when wearing his costume. “Patrick is a 16-year-old registered American Miniature Horse and he has won the state fair costume class the last two years in a row,” Jessica Schaaf said. “I made his costume out of matted dog hair that I shaved off of a dog. It has been a big hit and he has worn it in several parades and at Breyer Fest.”

The American Shetland Pony Club, the American Show Pony Registry and The American Miniature Horse Registry are non-profit organizations established to preserve and refine the bloodlines of these small equines and promote the enjoyment of small equines. Recognized as the oldest and most versatile registry in the United States, the American Shetland Pony Club offer a variety of programs for Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse enthusiasts of all ages.  Visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or 81-B East Queenwood Road, Morton, IL 61550.

For more information contact the:

American Shetland Pony Club

American Miniature Horse Registry

Johnny Robb, Director of Marketing

561-753-4608

minipony@earthlink.net

Zona Schneider, Director of Operations

309-263-4044

zona@shetlandminiature.com

One thought on “American Shetland Ponies and Minis Wow the Crowd at the Secretariat Festival in Kentucky”

Leave a Reply