Being at a barn with many different types of trainers and boarders, I get asked a lot about my POAs (Pony of the Americas). Of course, the first thing they mention is how adorable they are. One of our students has a black and white leopard POA named Chip, and everyone who hasn’t seen a POA before just loves him! This allows me to share why they are the best breed out there for the youth.
The POAs are absolutely hands down the best youth breed I’ve ever come across. The ponies themselves have a natural, quiet temperament with a love of all small kids. I don’t know why, but literally even the youngest ponies seem to love being around young kids. They are certainly small enough for kids to handle! Don’t get me wrong, there are some very gentle giants in the horse world, but it helps for kids to have something that fits them in size as well. Not just to ride, but so they can reach when grooming and tacking up as well! It’s common in the POA breed to have kids younger than eight years old getting their pony ready by themselves. And when they do get on to ride, a POA is a safe size for that young child to learn how to run barrels and even jump! Size does matter if it helps keep a child safe!
Speaking of barrel racing, you actually can allow your child to run her heart out on a POA! Not only are they a manageable height with a great temperament, but they can physically accomplish so much! They can slow down for western pleasure and horsemanship, spin for reining, move out and jump in English, and kick it into high gear for gymkhanas! This allows your child to become a well-rounded amazing rider by the time she reaches adulthood! In my previous post, you’ll see how important I feel it is to accomplish multiple disciplines. It creates great horsemen and women and well-rounded individuals! There is no other breed that you can consistently perform all of these disciplines on one horse all at one show.
On top of the actual pony being amazing, the people in the organization are honest and family oriented! When you go to a POA show, everyone is welcoming and friendly. The shows also cater to any type of family income! If you want to go to a show and think you can’t afford it, check twice with the POAs! Most local shows are less than $10 a class! (In Arizona, we keep ours at $4 a class!) As you get into some bigger shows the cost increases some, but we are still much cheaper than any breed’s World shows. And yes, some of our exhibitors still bling it on in their outfits, and if you can, why not? But there is a much wider mix of toned down show clothes and saddles in with the bling. You will NOT be judged on your outfit from anyone here, exhibitors included. So long as it’s clean anyway! 😉
Not only are shows actually fun and family friendly, but the community of POA members stays true to each other even when far apart. I’ve bought quite a few ponies over the last couple years, and most I’ve had to transport here from across the country. Many of these ponies I’ve bought just from seeing one picture. Never seeing a video and never bothering with a vet check. And the ponies have always arrived to me exactly as described. I would never even think of trying this with another breed! I’ve spent months looking for a quarter horse for clients of mine and so many we look at have something else funky going on when we check more into it! The POA club as a whole is a refreshingly kind and honest community.
If you are looking for a breed for your child to ride that you will feel included in, you will enjoy the people, it won’t break the bank, and your child will receive fantastic learning experiences and memories, the Pony of the Americas are the way to go!
