I think we have some agreement that pony isn't a strictly defined word. No problem. I think most of us have no problems acknowledging that Icelandic's are ponies. For this post, I'm going to ignore DNA and focus only on show conventions.
For those people who have been around "mainstream" horses/ponies in the USA, here's something to put things in perspective. Despite the height-inflation we see on the dreamhorse ads, etc., I'd be willing to bet that 65-75% of all Icelandic's measure 13.2H or less, maybe even a higher percentage. Personally, I'm not positive that I've ever seen an Icelandic over 14.2H and I've seen a good many Icelandics. They may exist, but they sure aren't common. For hunter show purposes, and probably for jumpers too: "Small ponies" are 12.2H and under. "Medium" ponies are over 12.2H to a maximum13.2H. "Large" ponies are over 13.2H to a maximum of 14.2H. The most desired hunter ponies are at the maximum height in their division - so Little Susie can get every inch of "scope" from her mount, without having to go into a taller division. In other words, the most popular hunter ponies are the ones who are just barely under 12.2H, 13.2H and 14.2H respectively. It seems really goofy to me to argue that Icelandic's aren't ponies, since by the pony show rules I'm most familiar with, the majority of Icelandics are not only ponies, but are MEDIUM ponies at that. Most aren't even LARGE ponies. I think I have two, maybe 3, Icelandics on the farm (out of 20-ish ponies) that would be required to show in the "large pony" divisions...where they would be amongst the smallest entrants in the classes. Whatever rules you use - DNA or Show definitions - it doesn't change anything. Icelandic's are ponies, any way you cut it. Pony Power! Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.11/1244 - Release Date: 1/25/2008 7:44 PM
