Mission Statement: To promote the breeding, recognition and sales of top quality show and pleasure ponies in Ontario, Canada.
Pony Breeders of Ontario is the brain child of Diana Macdonald, who attending many horse events across the province as an exhibitor, Steward and equine enthusiast, heard the same complaints time and time again. Ontario has no place or organization dedicated to promoting pony breeding in Ontario.Yes, individual registries exist for some breeds but what about those breeds with registries or those breeding quality cross-breds.
In the past 30+ years, several pony breeding operations were renowned provincially, nationally and internationally. The stock that these farms produced were sought after for breeding and sport purposes. To own a pony with one of these prefixes was the mark of success. The few breeders saw their ponies were in high demand here in Canada, in the US and even had ponies exported overseas as well.
Ontario-bred ponies have excelled in Hunter, Eventing, Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Breeding. Pleasure and other uses as well.
There are several state pony breeding associations similar to Pony Breeders of Ontario - Virginia (the most active and best known), Maryland (the oldest - established in 1953), and others. After talking with many pony breeders over the past 10+ years, it became noticeable that Ontario breeders need to do something on our own to promote and recognize Ontario-bred ponies.
An early attempt in late 2005 and early 2006 saw that a formal organization would not work at that time. PBO was disbanded. After hearing the same thoughts and wishes, Diana decided to try a more loosely organized group based electronically on Barnmice.com (http://www.barnmice.com/group/ponybreedersofontario). Ontario breeders of all pony breeds and those with equines standing 14.2hh and under have united.
August 2010 sees the establishment of the first PBO Show which also was awarded RAWF Sportpony StarSearch Qualifier status.
In the past 30+ years, several pony breeding operations were renowned provincially, nationally and internationally. The stock that these farms produced were sought after for breeding and sport purposes. To own a pony with one of these prefixes was the mark of success. The few breeders saw their ponies were in high demand here in Canada, in the US and even had ponies exported overseas as well.
Ontario-bred ponies have excelled in Hunter, Eventing, Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Breeding. Pleasure and other uses as well.
There are several state pony breeding associations similar to Pony Breeders of Ontario - Virginia (the most active and best known), Maryland (the oldest - established in 1953), and others. After talking with many pony breeders over the past 10+ years, it became noticeable that Ontario breeders need to do something on our own to promote and recognize Ontario-bred ponies.
An early attempt in late 2005 and early 2006 saw that a formal organization would not work at that time. PBO was disbanded. After hearing the same thoughts and wishes, Diana decided to try a more loosely organized group based electronically on Barnmice.com (http://www.barnmice.com/group/ponybreedersofontario). Ontario breeders of all pony breeds and those with equines standing 14.2hh and under have united.
August 2010 sees the establishment of the first PBO Show which also was awarded RAWF Sportpony StarSearch Qualifier status.