In 1964 the American Quarter Pony Association was set up by Harold Wymore to register both quarter ponies and stock of unknown breeding with western type conformation. He decided to follow the lead of the American Quarter Horse Association and only allow the registration of solid coloured stock.
The International Quarter Pony Association was later set up to cater for quarter pony and western type ponies of any colour (appaloosa, paint etc). Acceptance of various colours is enabling breeders to breed those all so sought after colour patterns such as tobiano and overo paints as well as appaloosas onto the quarter pony size and conformation.
Quarter Ponies in Australia
Quarter Ponies have been bred in Australia since the early days when the first Quarter Horses, Paint Horses and Appaloosas were imported into Australia. A few of these cross’s have been registered as ponies as they are not eligible for registration in the various “Horse” Associations. Most were not registered at all.
In 2005 a group of interested people got together and after many months of phone calls, emails, meetings over the internet and much discussion, a direction was decided and the first version of Regulations written. The Australian Quarter Pony Association was incorporated early in 2006. The Stud book accepted the first registration in May 2006 and the first AGM was held in Bendigo in October 2006.
The AQPA was established to promote and encourage the breeding and showing of Quarter Ponies within the Australian horse industry. And to maintain a Stud Book and provide services that encourages participation and enhances pony ownership.