Fierce & Fuzzy, Shetland Pony Congress, Guest Post

Coach Kate went undercover in mini-world and brought back this report. Welcome Coach Kate!

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The 2023 Shetland Pony Congress had something for everyone, almost. There was daily free food (donuts, pizza, tacos, BBQ), there was daily kid-friendly entertainment (arts and crafts projects, ice cream sundaes, movies) there was shopping (jewelry, dog supplies, two mobile tack shops, Shetland Pony show merch, silent auction treasures), there was music, oh, and there were hundreds of ponies, in all shapes, sizes, and colors. As a show-competitor of only “regular” sized equines, I did feel a tiny bit like I was trespassing on their party. But I should have known, if you are willing to hold a horse for someone (whatever size) or straighten a rein or retrieve a dropped ribbon, you’ll be adopted pretty quickly!

This year’s Shetland Pony (ASPR) Congress ran Monday to Saturday, July 24-29 in Lake St Louis, Missouri, with 482 classes spread from 8 am to midnight many of the six nights. Many halter classes, lots of driving, some jumping, some obstacles, some riding, and several costume classes.

I went out to help groom for my good friend Patti Wolf, from Ivanhoe, TX and her mare “Derby”. They were competing in the Classic Carriage Driving division. Now carriage driving is something I actually feel competent to help with. Interest in carriage driving within the ASPR has been growing. Uniquely different from many of the other ASPR driving classes, in that the turnout should be more appropriate for safely and smartly getting around town/down the road, rather than knocking your socks off with big action, or possibly running into the next county if driven outside of a ring. This year the carriage division started with 14 turnouts.

As of Wednesday night, Patti had two firsts, a second, and sixth (she says the sixth was due to driver error).

Here are a sampling of pictures from the show.

Patti and Derby.

The jumping was impressive – a course of 6 fences, with several set over the ponies heads…

The costumes were elaborate, with whole families dressed to a theme – there’s a pony carrying this full-sized shed (meant to be Dorothy’s Kansas house).

Assorted weanling classes were a semi-controlled chaos.

Kids had their own classes for showmanship skills

There was even “Western” driving – giving competitors an option for showing their Shetlands that naturally move with a flat topline and knees.

I had a blast, and I think I’ll be allowed back next year.

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