|
A highly attractive pony of Arab type, the American Walking
Pony is often described as a 'dream walking'. This breed was founded in 1968 by
Joan Hudson Brown. Although the breed exhibits a fixed type and characteristics, the
right combination came about only after fourteen years of crossbreeding. The
main goal was to produce a larger pony with great quality and a beautiful
performance for the showring. The eventual foundation cross was a registered
Tennessee Walking Horse and a registered Welsh Pony. The Welsh mare, Browntree's
Flicka, was highly influential in the early development of the breed and is
Number One on the breed register. Listed at Number Five on the register as the
first registered stallion is her son, BT Golden Splendor.
The American Walking
Pony combines the best traits of both breeds- they are born with natural gaits,
inherited from the Tennessee Walking Horse, and the admirable qualities of the
Welsh Pony. The unique gaits of the American Walking Pony include the Pleasure
Walk, Merry Walk and Canter, although they are seven-gaited and are worth
comparing to the champion of Walking Horses, Roan Allen. The Pleasure Walk is a
four beat gait that is faster than a regular walk but slower than a trot. The
Merry Walk is a four beat gait also, but much faster and is accompanied by a
head nodding movement, with the pony nicely put together with its hocks under it
and its head carried well. The American Walking Pony is highly versatile, having
proven itself in
jumping,
dressage,
showing, pleasure riding, and
driving.
They
have finely shaped, attractive heads, uncharacteristic of most pony breeds. They
should have necks with good length, muscular, and set and carried well. The
shoulders are nicely sloped allowing for freedom of movement, the chest should
be broad and deep, the back compact, and the hindquarters well-muscled. American
Walking Ponies stand up to fourteen hands high and can be any solid color.
Typically, they have great presence and quality.
Return to
Pony Breeds Page
|
