Morton, IL-June 22, 2004-The American Shetland Pony Club announced a $10,000 incentive prize to be awarded to any registered Shetland Pony who earns the title of Champion Small Pony Hunter at the US Equestrian Pony Finals to be hosted in August in Lexington, Virginia.

"The $10,000 incentive prize was designed to encourage participation and reward success," explained, Larry Parnell, President of the American Shetland Pony Club Executive Committee. "Today, Shetland Ponies are not the wooly ponies depicted in Thelwell cartoons. They are sleek, well-breed little athletes with excellent dispositions and a great deal of heart," said Parnell.

According to American Shetland Pony Club Executive Director, Zona Schneider, "Shetland Ponies excel over fences and have been quietly making inroads in the small hunter pony division. We want to recognize any Shetland Pony that wins the ultimate title of Small Pony Hunter Champion at the 2004 Pony Finals".

To be eligible for the $10,000 prize the Champion Small Pony Hunter must be registered with the American Shetland Pony Club and the owner and rider must be members of the American Shetland Pony Club at the time of the win. In addition, the winning pony must measure within the Shetland Pony height limit of 46" or smaller. Owners and riders who have qualified a Shetland Pony for the small pony hunter division at the 2004 Pony Finals can join the American Shetland Pony Club before August 4, 2004 and become eligible for the $10,000 prize.

"We believe offering large incentives for Shetland Ponies at prestigious events, will help draw attention to these superb ponies and overcome any lingering misconceptions about Shetlands that people may have, says Parnell. "The $10,000 prize will be awarded in the form of a scholarship and we hope that we will have the opportunity to award this exciting
prize to a lucky Shetland Pony owner this August."

For more information about this and other programs offered by the American Shetland Pony Club, visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or call 309-263-4044.
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The American Shetland Pony Club is non-profit organization established to preserve and refine the bloodlines of the American Shetland Pony. Since 1888, the American Shetland Pony Club has registered over 150,000 purebred Shetland Ponies and offers a multitude of programs and
incentives for Shetland Pony owners and breeders. Recognized as the oldest and most versatile registry in the Untied States, the American Shetland Pony Club also offers registration and programs for Miniature Horses and Shetland-cross ponies. Visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or contact them at 81-B East Queenwood Road, Morton, IL 61550.

Photo courtesy of the American Shetland Pony Club