Welcome to the Cal-State

Pony of Americas Club Website!

                         
     Jump to the Upcoming Events Page for more details on our 2010 season. 

CAL-STATE POA PONYRAMA & FUTURITY Galway Downs, Temecula  Sept 4 & 5

What is Cal-State POAC?

We are a youth based POA club that offers Youth and Adult classes and OPEN classes at our events.  Our shows are formatted similarly to a stock breed club, such as ApHC, APHA or AQHA. Most of our shows are OPEN, and pointed for POAC and APHA. We offer Halter, Longe Line, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, Reining, Western Riding, English Pleasure and Equitation, Jumping, Costume, Cart and Gymkhana classes, so there is something for everyone!

   

click on any picture on this website to view it in a larger format

Cal-State POAC offers great fun for the entire family. We offer youth activities through our Jr. Club which has it's own Board of Directors within our club's youth members. Beach trips, pizza parties, trail rides and low cost Clinics are scheduled throughout our season and during the off season. Our competitive shows offer classes to ALL horse breeds, not just POAs. We invite you to come and share the family friendly, fun, low-pressure experience that our shows offer. Come and check us out, meet the board of directors and get the friendly help at the shows that you need.  We're more than happy to talk about our wonderful POAs! 

   

You can't beat the value of our classes and we have great prizes! We offer classes for Lead Liners 6 & Under, 8 & Under walk/trot, 8 & Under 3 gaited, 9-12, 13-18 and classes for our 19 & Over exhibitors. 

Our shows are great for everyone- from the beginner to the national level rider. We offer encouragement and support to all of our competitors, and welcome newcomers. We feel "the more, the merrier"! Our shows have awards for each class, plus Daily High Points in different categories.

We are proud of how far the POA breed has evolved, and encourage you to look at the quality of the Modern POA. The POAs of today have a sleek, modern horse look, and can easily compete and win at the Open Shows.

     

Cal-State POAC offers great Year-End Awards at our Annual Awards Banquet. High Points are given for every age group and in different categories. Specialized Perpetual Trophies are offered, and a Sportsmanship Award is given yearly to reward those kids who reflect courtesy and generosity during competition. 19 and Over participants are honored at our event as well. Cal-State also recognizes National Achievements, and spotlights our youth who have achieved their Supreme Championships. 

Most importantly, every child who shows with Cal-State is eligible to earn the Participation Award - often the largest and most sought after award of the year - given to every single child who qualifies. 

Membership is only $30 a year per family, or $25 for Individuals, to become eligible to qualify for Cal-State POA Year End Awards. Come show with us and meet the local trainers and exhibitors. Once you get involved, you too will fall in love with the POA breed.

POAs...NOT YOUR AVERAGE PONY!

 

Suncrest Ms Tattletail, POAC Hall of Fame, Supreme Champion, National 3Day Eventing Champion

 

What is a POA?

POAs (Pony of the Americas) are a distinct breed of Appaloosa colored ponies which were originally developed in the 1950s by a group of forward-looking horsemen from the mid-west who realized there was a need for a breed of large pony for children who had outgrown Shetlands but were not ready for full-sized horses.

 

POA #1 Black Hand. The pony that started it all in 1954. 

 POAs have come a long way since then. The modern POA looks and moves like a small horse, with Quarter Horse type bodies, refined heads and one of eight Appaloosa coat patterns. Their conformation, movement and style are right up there with the "big" breeds, and their temperaments and longevity are often better.

POAs are bred to be quieter, sturdier and more tractable for the younger or beginning rider, though they can be highly competitive for the advanced rider as well. The POA organization has grown, and there are over  45,000 registered POAs in the United States and around the world. The Registry allows heights from 46" to 56", so many of today's POAs are 13 to 14 hands high and can easily carry an adult. A pony must show Appaloosa coloring to be eligible to compete at POAC sanctioned events, but the Registry has a breeding stock division, and a hardship clause for grade ponies who meet height and coloration requirements. Even if you own a POA who has no color or is over-height, you can still show at most Cal-State Shows.

How is the Cal-State POAC Organized?

The Cal-State Pony of the Americas Club is under the umbrella of The Pony of the Americas Club, Inc, a national organization dedicated to the breeding, showing and promotion of this uniquely American pony. A Board of Officers and Directors is elected yearly to plan the coming season and special events. All members are welcome to attend meetings to give their views and volunteer to assist at our events. The Club offers its membership a yearly season of Nationally approved POA shows where ponies and their riders can compete for local, Regional and National points and awards. Through meetings, events, and the Cal-State NewsFlash, club members can communicate, keep abreast of club happenings and remain informed about State and National affairs. Cal-State shows have a relaxed, supportive, family oriented atmosphere where young riders can develop horsemanship, responsibility, dedication and sportsmanship skills along side their friends.

2008 Cal-State Members who achieved National Supreme Championships with their POAs