German Riding Pony Breeders Association

[hluing]

GRP Breeders has been a fledgling organization for some time. Since GRP's have been excluded in the newly formed "American Riding Pony" thread...perhaps it is time GRP breeders get more active to promote our ponies in sport. Anyone interested?

[rideagoldenpony]

It is really discouraging how fragmented everything is in regards to ponies in sport. With the way things stand, in my opinion, you are better off using your resources and dollars promoting your own farm and goals, whether via advertising or showing.

When it gets so nitpicky that you can't even figure out WHICH animals are/would be eligible for the newly formed organization, then it just becomes too complicated. I'd rather see an organization that was simply "ponies in sport" that touted all of the wonderful things ponies can do, rather than narrow it down and narrow it down until you're basically narrowing out everyone. It's already an uphill battle, why make it harder.

Long ago I came to the conclusion that nobody was going to do my promotion for me -- it is up to me to tell the world why I believe in my product...... this seems like another example of that. I guess I don't see the benefit of "strength in numbers" on this one.

[092556]

I thought American Riding Pony.com was just a website to help promote sport type and riding type (whatever that means?) ponies born in the US. I must have missed something when did it become an organization.

[hluing]

Well...at this point that is all GRPBreeds has been for the last couple years as well;) I think it is pretty obvious that they want American Riding Pony to be more then a website. It also seems very unilateral and has excluded a whole segment of breeders/riders/owners.

While I agree with goldenpony...I think we need a group to promote simply ponies in sport right now too, GRP's really need promotion since so many people still don't even know they exist! I have been promoting these ponies personaly for several years and it is invaluable to have a network of like minded people. Thanks to all the have already contacted me!

[092556]

hluing
You have the website Germanridingpony.com why don't you invite the other breeders and owners of GRP to advertise and brag about their ponies on your site?

[Daventry]

I completely agree with rideagoldenpony, it is really discouraging. For us, it's to the point that we even don't bother get involved with any of the associations. :no: It's been much easier, and cheaper, to promote our own ponies and stallions...it's also helps though that we sell hunter ponies. In the end, I likely won't get one extra breeding just because our stallion is Approved with such and such a registry, which saves us a ton of money in yearly stallion fees, etc. and allows us to concentrate on advertising and promoting our stallion. We're looking at bringing in another two new stallions and won't even bother trying to get them inspected or approved as we don't need it to make our program successful.

I started reading the american riding pony thread but saw it going south very quickly. As soon as the "this is eligible and that is not" started happening, I couldn't be bothered to read it any further. It's the main reason I started the World Wide Welsh http://wwwelsh.com website, so that all Welsh Breeders had a place to go without prejudice!

Now, if there was one registry, like rideagoldenpony suggested, that was without prejudice and also didn't accept everybody and their dog into their stud books. At the same time, promoting ponies in sport, period, and had a wide range of knowledgeable inspectors and a great program and stud book...with no alterior motives or people that have a conflict of interest, I'd be all for it. Unfortunately, there isn't one out there so we promote our own ponies.

[hluing]

Daventry...I completly understand your situation, and you have to do what makes sence for your situation. It is a shame for us breeding in registries because we lose access to some really wonderful welsh ponies. I am thankful for those welsh pony stallion owners that have braved the pros and minus of various registires.

I think at this point in the US what is needed is not another registry or psuedo-registry...we just need a way for all pony breeder/riders/owners to come together and promote ponies in sport. I hope it happens soon.

092556, germanridingpony.com is my personal farm website and has been for several years. I did start a basic website for the German Riding Pony breeders Assoc several years ago...www.GRPbreeders.org. It has been a great way to network...but we need more volunteers to really get it off the ground and running! It has been my small contribution to the cause;)

[Little Birdie]

Absolutely love the GRPs. :yes:

hluing...you have a PM!

[mcgill_05]

As someone new to this whole pony breeding game, I can personally say that it would be really nice to have a website that listed many different stallions.
I am in the process of trying to find a stallion for my mare and having a hard time finding the right type, size, etc. Admittedly because I have no idea what I am looking for, but there are so many different places to look as well. One central place to give you some ideas and a starting point would be great.

Any helpful hints would be wonderful :winkgrin:

My mare is 14.3, no white, hunter type.

[Windswept Stable]

As someone new to this whole pony breeding game, I can personally say that it would be really nice to have a website that listed many different stallions.
I am in the process of trying to find a stallion for my mare and having a hard time finding the right type, size, etc. Admittedly because I have no idea what I am looking for, but there are so many different places to look as well. One central place to give you some ideas and a starting point would be great.

Any helpful hints would be wonderful :winkgrin:

My mare is 14.3, no white, hunter type.

Are you looking for a GRP? Huiling would be quite helpful.

Virginia Pony Breeders Association has a nice list of stallions
http://www.vpba.com/

Florida Pony Breeders Association has a list.
http://www.floridaponybreeders.net/


Maryland Pony Breeder does too.
www.marylandponybreeders.org

[Tamara in TN]

GRP Breeders has been a fledgling organization for some time. Since GRP's have been excluded in the newly formed "American Riding Pony" thread...perhaps it is time GRP breeders get more active to promote our ponies in sport. Anyone interested?

have you given any thought to how petty you sound ?? as if promotion is not an active outreach of your breeding program to the newcomers and the people looking for a different path but in reality a petty,childish, take your toys and go away,spurrned lover kinda thing ???

I keep Cobs and nobody does anything for my Cobs but me and maybe two friends and a farrier that loves them for their feet and brains....no one else is going to help me....and my ad dollars never ever follow my "heart" or my bad nature :) I avoid mom and pop operations limiting my money to the biggest bang for the buck run by the pros....not folks with their feelings hurt...

and just as a case of TMI I have lusted over Power Boy for more than a decade, but if I brought him here from Sweden why would I be interested in joining this group based on this posting ???

Tamara in TN

[ljshorses]

Daventry...I completly understand your situation, and you have to do what makes sence for your situation. It is a shame for us breeding in registries because we lose access to some really wonderful welsh ponies. I am thankful for those welsh pony stallion owners that have braved the pros and minus of various registires.

I think at this point in the US what is needed is not another registry or psuedo-registry...we just need a way for all pony breeder/riders/owners to come together and promote ponies in sport. I hope it happens soon.

092556, germanridingpony.com is my personal farm website and has been for several years. I did start a basic website for the German Riding Pony breeders Assoc several years ago...www.GRPbreeders.org. It has been a great way to network...but we need more volunteers to really get it off the ground and running! It has been my small contribution to the cause;)

Definitely agree, and am still talking to other pony breeders about this as well. Very nice idea.

[hluing]

Tamara...sorry, I really did not follow your post...not sure what you are trying to say although it certainly dose not sound friendly.

Bottom line...when I started breeding GRP's there was one stallion we had access to and nobody seemed to have heard about GRP's. I kept getting emails from people asking...what are these ponies? How do I learn mopre about them? How do I find the new stallions that are available? So I threw together a website to try to get the info somewhat centraly located so new breeders, etc could figure out what was available as to registries, stallions, etc. I have no desire for this to be "my group" and I am willing for any GRP breeder/rider/fan to get involved.

Is it beneficial to me if people know about GRP's? Well, of course;) But have placed anyone with GRP's or those approved for breeding GRP up on the website. It is open for all. No hurt feeling here (not quite sure what you meant by that)...just a passionate pony person!

[Hocus Focus]

Heather, you are developing a strong modern type of stylish individuals in your current pony offerings. My suggestion is stay true to your direction, your organization choices and push forward. They are lovely animals and that is what matters most in the buyers eye. In the forums we ocassionally get a lot of "huff and puff", brought on by "winter blahs" or "whatever" stimulates them, possibly even jealousies of sorts, which if you think about it is highly complimentary, so keep smiling..... when the dust settles, it's the quality of the stock that matters, and you are moving in a very postive direction.

I was up visiting Nancy Ferebee's farm in November and her three GRP stallions are lovely as well. I think she too has the discriminating eye for quality. She had at that time planned on attending the successful first ever Stallion expo but I expect long haul and the fluctuation in winter weather may have prevented her going. She has a beautiful home and farm, and of course I find Nancy and yourself on the same page as people, kind, honorable. Stick to your guns, the cream does have a way of finding its way to the top over time. All the best to you. Good people who bring honor and class in attitude deserve consideration. Nancy showed me the town with an enjoyable dinner invitation and we had a nice visit with her boys. It made for a wonderful experience. I have found her most charming from the moment I met her at the stallion testing in 2004. A friendly experience is always appreciated.

Hopefully you will find a moment to come and say hello at Ocala HITS.

[Tamara in TN]

[QUOTE=hluing;2973716]Tamara...sorry, I really did not follow your post...not sure what you are trying to say although it certainly dose not sound friendly.
QUOTE]

I am trying to say that your post translates to my wallet like this:

:Hi, we're a new and unproven breed of pony here in the United States and some one else has already publically said they don't want us to play with them, so why not bring your hard earned money to us and we'll just show them...neeeener"

Instead of :

" Exciting new group of established Continental Riding Pony breeders on breakthru outing into USA, seeks forward thinking,like-minded individuals to share on ground level of future profit making and breed organization."


who would you rather hang out with ????


Tamara in TN

[Hocus Focus]

Isn't freedom of speech a wonderful thing? How is your business doing Tamara? Phone ringing off the wall????

[Halfhalting]

Wow Hocus, that just wasn't nice or constructive at all.

[Windswept Stable]

It would really be nice for pony breeders to unite instead of spending so much time tearing each other down.

Hluing- your ponies are beautiful. Power sired a foal out of a GRP this past spring & the owner plans on dressage at Devon! Can't wait to see!

[hluing]

Thanks Reg and Windswept! I am a big fan of Power and Nancy's boys...all really great ponies. Reg, you are very much right about Nancy's hospitality...Dan and I went up to watch her stallions be presented to ISR several years ago and she invited us to stay over in her guestroom. Lovely lady.

[Tamara in TN]

Isn't freedom of speech a wonderful thing? How is your business doing Tamara? Phone ringing off the wall????

yes in fact it's pretty good...I didn't know you knew Nancy and her ponies..Calvin saw them when they first arrived from Germany...delivering a load of hay to them :) there have been two semis leave this morning with loads to Knoxville and one arrived from the Midwest...I tried to find Kathy's number for you but it's not current...I'll try another lady who works with her...

best

Tamara in TN

[Hocus Focus]

Good Tamara, glad to hear all is booming. I know that Kathy has had a rough transition moving into your area. She is truly a nice lady and is well liked by many. She would do anything for anyone if asked. I hope things are picking up for her. She is not new to times being tough. She has experienced it before and survived.

That is part of the difficulty in making the horses a livelihood. It does not always go as planned.

All the best to you and yours...cheerio!!!! And if you see Kathy, give her a big hug from Reg for me will ya?

[Tamara in TN]

Good Tamara, glad to hear all is booming. I know that Kathy has had a rough transition moving into your area.

All the best to you and yours...cheerio!!!! And if you see Kathy, give her a big hug from Reg for me will ya?

I will :) I got "nuthin' but love" for that lady...she is a real horseman and I think they are a dying breed

Tamara in TN