[kfildes]

I have been reading this thread with a great deal of interest but, like some others, am trying to really figure out what your mission statement is.

I have heard things like creating a list of pony breeders, providing lists of pony services, etc. Don't want to sound negative here, but Ponyworld already does this and already has established itself in this role. The directories of breeders, stallions and services is very large and its free. It is also searchable.

Ponyworld runs ads in all the major publications for stallion promotion and also runs the Ponies-L newsgroup which contains over 750 members. Getting information out to a large group of pony people is therefore easy. The hits on Ponyworld are already high with an established presence for this purpose. The site was listed this month in Hunter & Sport Horse on their page of pony resources links as well.

Ponyworld is not focused on any single breed or discipline. There are articles posted on what makes a sport pony, as well as profiles of people in the pony business (we are working on two more of those now). We have pony people in the western disciplines, grade ponies, dressage ponies, etc.

I can tell you from experience that running a site like this takes a lot of work. If you venture down this road you need to have people in place passionate enough to fill the pages on an ongoing basis. I have enlisted a lot of help in this regard (i.e. different people have volunteered to write the breed descriptions of certain breeds that they are more familiar with for example) but it never seems to be enough. I could use a crew of about 10 more just to write up the content that is planned http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...icon_smile.gif

Ponyworld also works to promote ponies through things like sponsorship. We awarded a cooler for the High Point FEI pony at the Lendon Gray Youth Dressage Festival. We have sponsored pony classes at various horse shows and will continue to do so. In this way we are providing support to show managers who want to boost the pony classes.

Your initial idea was to build a group of netorked individuals who would work together to promote ponies. That focus is very different than simply building a web site with a lot of links on it. In my opinion you are recreating the wheel and that will not significantly improve the state of ponies in the US.

I think the focus needs to be more on the line of the Virginia Pony Breeders Association. Not the registry part, but the promotion part. Work as a group to market ponies as viable options, sponsor classes at shows, get the word out there. You also need to look at the market you are trying to serve. What does IT need from a group like this?

There are already a lot of breed registries for ponies that promote specific types. This group, in my opinion, should be more about the promotion of ponies in general.

These are all just my thoughts of course, but I really think that the role of this group needs to be defined more specifically before you can begin to develop the specific steps you will take to make it happen. Think about what you really want to accomplish and what it will take to get you there.

It's hard to be all things to all people. This will not be an easy road but I think it has great promise. As I said way back in this, I am certainly willing to help in any way possible.

[benno]

I "think" we have it!

Name of group: Performance Pony Alliance

Websites: www.performanceponyalliance.com
& www.performancepony.com

Purpose: To serve as a center for those involved with or wanting to become involved with performance ponies. To identify and provide resources to meet needs related to performance ponies. (This needs more definition by a steering committee, but as a starter: "Performance ponies" includes ponies that "do" well as an "athlete" and "resources" includes "breeders, trainers, competitors, organizations, news that includes competitions & awards)

Visual Image: A star (with the core being the above purpose) and many points coming from the core, each point representing the resources in a distinct area within the performance pony concept. There will be repetitions of the general points as subcategories in a particular point: e.g. a point will be "breeders" and under that will be "hunter" "sportpony" "endurance", etc. And under the main point "hunter" will be subcategories of "breeders", "competitions" "trainers, etc.

Structure of Organization: Comprised of a Steering Committee whose purpose is to develop and maintain the above general goal and various subcommittees composed of members representing each of the points. Initially the points will be determined and developed based on our interests, motivation and energies.

Plan: Identify who will be on the steering committee and who will develop the "points". (Two cups of coffee and I am still at a loss for the correct words...)

Finances: The steering committee will propose a budget that includes a marketing proposal.

How we got here: We have an active hunter person - Gail - involved not lurking (buy that woman a cup of coffee!), pwynnnorman is on board and energized, lesley is on board and articulate, too, everybody is chiming in on what they want/don't want individually while respecting everyone else's "wants" (land of liberty and home of the brave)and all us by now "old-timers" are circling in on what we have been trying to get our hands on. Also more clearly articulated is that the sportpony is relatively new in America, it will be developed over time, and the image will be distinctly American yet with a variety of looks, much as what has happened with the American sporthorses.

Major ah-ha! concept that must be kept in our minds: thus far, we are all breeders posting here, coming from many different perspectives. Delraida points out that we need to market where the pony will excel versus what the breeder's intent was in producing it. As Gail, the hunter breeder, said, she might put a foal on the ground born piaffing. Even though I might love dressage, there are going to be many times my stallions contribute to the birth of a foal destined to be a hunter star. We all need to have a variety of resources - other breeders, trainers, competitors, organizations, etc. As breeders, we will thrive by our foals growing up and doing well in the public's eye. My suggestion, taken from pwynnnorman, is to develop an extensive list of resources as contrasted with an extensive list of breeders - lots of points on the star, not lots of breeders in a point. If we go to an extensive list of breeders in effect we are reducing the potential market, increasing our own competition with one another, and expanding the focus from "performance" to "all pony breeders".

In summary, my take is that everyone either seems to favor or is at least accepting of "performance pony", sees "sport pony" as too narrow, and "ponycentral" as too broad.

Please provide input into the above. If I have it wrong or not quite right - as a whole or in parts - please provide your version. We can then work with the versions up on the table. Please, during this, no criticism without proposing a positive alternative.

[sportponies4U]

Greetings All! Been following this topic also. Karen has really "got it right" on this. First, the group must decide what is the Mission/Goals. Second,the manpower to keep it active. Third, some INCENTIVES for keeping it profitable for ALL parties involved.Otherwise, like Karen said "it's just re-creating the wheel" This proposed idea really needs to find a "niche" in the Pony World... Just my little humble opinions...

[benno]

Karen, I was writing as you were. I didn't see your post until now. I think there are some alternatives. Karen is proposing our group be a promotional group, pwynnnorman has a plan for developing and promoting a general pony breeders list, Mandi has started a sportpony breeders group with BB, etc. The last thing I would want us to do would be to duplicate any other organization or group. This has to be something different or there is no point to putting our energies into it.

[Rainbow Farm Unltd.]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by benno:
Karen, I was writing as you were. I didn't see your post until now. I think there are some alternatives. Karen is proposing our group be a promotional group, pwynnnorman has a plan for developing and promoting a general pony breeders list, Mandi has started a sportpony breeders group with BB, etc. The last thing I would want us to do would be to duplicate any other organization or group. This has to be something different or there is no point to putting our energies into it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ponyworld has a general pony breeders list. Anyone can add their listing. It also has stallion listings, and again anyone can add their listing. Do we need another breeders and stallion listing, or do we all need to go to Ponyworld.net and add our information there? I'd like to see a Sport Pony Alliance (only sport ponies) or the Sport Pony Group of Mandi's expanded into the Alliance, or something on a much smaller scale to start. I've watched Ponyworld.net develop over the years and know from fact that Karen is easy to work with and open to suggestions. Ponyworld.net is in place and the name has been promoted for years, as she has said above. Since reading all the posts, it seems to me that the group's desire of listings first has pretty well come down to what Ponyworld.net already has in place. Perhaps the Sport Pony people could work with Karen to start a Sport Pony section at Ponyworld.

While we're all thinking here, perhaps everyone who hasn't should go and look over Ponyworld and and your breeders', stallion or service listings there, even if it's not exactly what you have in mind right now.

[maple_brook]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by benno:
Major ah-ha! concept that must be kept in our minds: thus far, we are all breeders posting here, coming from many different perspectives. Delraida points out that we need to market where the pony will excel versus what the breeder's intent was in producing it. As Gail, the hunter breeder, said, she might put a foal on the ground born piaffing. Even though I might love dressage, there are going to be many times my stallions contribute to the birth of a foal destined to be a hunter star. We all need to have a variety of resources - other breeders, trainers, competitors, organizations, etc. As breeders, we will thrive by our foals growing up and doing well in the public's eye. My suggestion, taken from pwynnnorman, is to develop an extensive list of resources as contrasted with an extensive list of breeders - lots of points on the star, not lots of breeders in a point. If we go to an extensive list of breeders in effect we are reducing the potential market, increasing our own competition with one another, and expanding the focus from "performance" to "all pony breeders".
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi everyone,
I'm still trying to catch-up (on-sleep, on this thread, on the # of cups of coffee, etc.) but I just wanted to comment on this paragraph.

I TOTAL agree with this. It is important that we aren't just a bunch of breeders marketing to each other. (Although I like shopping, even I have my number limits. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...on_biggrin.gif )

Promoting the pony in competition is definitely one important avenue that needs to be pursued. Last season, each of the USDF breed shows in New England had a sport pony in-hand and a sport pony under saddle class. There were a handful of participants, which is more than the year before, so this is growing. At the big 2 day breed show at the end of the season, most of the individual classes offer trophies (sponsored by farms, breeders, registries, etc) but the sport pony classes did not. They only had the regular show ribbons. Also, at the year end award banquet for our GMO, most divisions received awards but again the sport ponies were not recognized. So instead of complaining, I have volunteer to work with my GMO and the show commitees to help find sponsors to support these participants. As a breeder I think these efforts are important. If we don't promote the classes that we are hoping to see our off-spring in, then we are in-danger of lossing our market. We need to make sure that our ponies have a place to compete and be rewarded! This is were we can learn ALOT from the hunter world. I used to ride hunters and even the smallest local show series had incredible day-end and year-end awards for every division. There are national and regional awards for these hunter ponies to work towards. This is lacking in the dressage pony world and were we can really learn alot from our hunter friends.

By promoting shows/awards we help draw trainers/riders to our product.
More opprotunities for ponies to show -&gt; More riders to compete -&gt; More trainers to work with these riders -&gt; More demand for our product!


There is such good stuff going on with this thread. I am so excited! But I need to go check on my foal and get another cup of coffee. I'll write more later.

[pwynnnorman]

Well, my take on PonyWorld is that it has its advantages and its disadvantages.

It's major advantage is that it is up and running and, being controlled by one person, it maintains its focus well.

It's major disadvantage is, well, that it is up and running and is controlled by one person...

I don't mean that as a slight to Karen--not by any means. But one issue that I've had all along is how to make this effort a productive one. My problem is that I just don't have a lot of time to put into something that doesn't pay off, frankly. I'm sure y'all can tell how frustrated I get with amateurism in the communication process--it's hard to avoid when decisions are debated and/or made by concensus, but at least one has the opportunity to argue one's case without offending anyone specifically.

[And, noooooooo (Did you hear me, I said "NOOOOO"!), I am NOT NOT NOT saying there is anything whatsoever that is amateurish about the PonyWorld website!!!!]

Er, I probably didn't put that so good...Let me try again.

I'm afraid that anything which piggyback's on an already established, individually-controlled, non-profit site (in contrast with a for-profit site which bases decisions ON profitability, not preference or power) will restrict debate and discussion, especially when the site owner has competing ideas or agendas.

That's NOT NOT NOT saying that Karen would have or be that way, OK, folks?! My comment isn't really directed at Karen (or anyone else) for that matter, but rather it is directed inward, such as to MYSELF. I, frankly, would not be comfortable stating my opinions about others' ideas on a privately owned site. I do have opinions about PonyWorld and Ponies-L (some of which I've expressed, too!) and those things WOULD, inevitably, influence my input when it came to other projects associated with those areas.

[Daydream Believer]

Well I really like the format of the Performance Pony website with the star with many points better than the Ponyworld's. Again no slight intended...it is a nice site but I like the other design better.

I also think this organization's site would be better if not privately owned also. JMO.

[welshrwonderful]

Hey, you are supposed to SIGN your posts...is this Yvonne from Florida? Hi, if it is, glad you are on board.
Carolyn
www.wyevalleyfarm.com

[Sportpony]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pwynnnorman:
Well, my take on PonyWorld is that it has its advantages and its disadvantages.

It's major advantage is that it is up and running and, being controlled by one person, it maintains its focus well.

It's major disadvantage is, well, that it is up and running and is controlled by one person...

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think this is an admirable summing up and puts it well.

I think that if this group, organized with a "name" (and I would assume thta one of the things that will be promoted IS the name) is to be defined in the "public mind" ... we will need to have a separate website with that name. Otherwise I think we risk not being able to develop the distinct image with the public that is needed.

I certainly think we can and should work with established websites that exist now and will certainly be helpful/useful but I do think a separate image ... and a separate website to promote that individuality ... is a necessity.

I do think it is wonderful of Karen to offer ... and I do have some idea of how much time and effort she puts into it ... I use it myself and am very grateful for the site being available.

[welshrwonderful]

Yep, no "private" sites is good.
I have witnessed first hand a "fight" on a board (which is privately moderated) it got a bit riotess ON the board, the problem was taken backstage to the moderator, the poster and moderator/owner had a few words and that was the end of that, she was kicked off.
That should not be allowed to happen...both the hot tempers and private owners!lol
Carolyn
www.wyevalleyfarm.com

[Rainbow Farm Unltd.]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I think that if this group, organized with a "name" (and I would assume thta one of the things that will be promoted IS the name) is to be defined in the "public mind" ... we will need to have a separate website with that name. Otherwise I think we risk not being able to develop the distinct image with the public that is needed.

I certainly think we can and should work with established websites that exist now and will certainly be helpful/useful but I do think a separate image ... and a separate website to promote that individuality ... is a necessity.

I do think it is wonderful of Karen to offer ... and I do have some idea of how much time and effort she puts into it ... I use it myself and am very grateful for the site being available. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OK. I'm glad I brought it up, though, because I think we should consider all possibilities, both plus and minus. I am still in support of this group, whatever it decides to be. Barb

[kfildes]

Just a quick clarification...

I did not intend to imply that Ponyworld take over your efforts. I simply think that what this group becomes should be different. Do not recreate the wheel, IMO.

I love the energy and the ideas that are developing http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...icon_smile.gif

[dorthyinoz]

Too Late to join in?
From what I've read, i think this is a fabulous idea. Not only will it add a friendlier market for those involved (and boy does the hunter world need that in some places) but it has the potential to bring down some prices for the breeder, and maybe as a result the buyer as well. I am just starting to get into the breeding aspect, expecting my first foal in the summer http://chronicleforums.com/images/cu...s/winkgrin.gif so I am glad this is coming around now. As a university student/pony breeder, this, I feel, has amazing potential, and at least for me, will make the task a little less scarry. http://chronicleforums.com/images/cu...s/sadsmile.gif If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. Keep up the excellent work.

[Rainbow Farm Unltd.]

Here's another resource - The International Stallion Guide just came out, and has a Sport Pony Stallion division this year. Here's the announcement:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The International Stallion Guide for Sport Horses invites you to visit www.stallionguide.ca to view over 200 of the world’s leading dressage, jumper and eventing stallions.



The site offers a wealth of information for everyone in the breeding industry:



· Serious breeders will appreciate the DVD collection made up of 5 DVDs, which has professionally compiled video clips on over 130 stallions and their offspring. Combined with the Stallion Guide, mare owners can easily evaluate the finest stallions in the world, comparing movement, temperament, pedigrees and performance results to produce outstanding foals. (The DVD collection will be available Feb/23/05 with only a limited number of sets being produced - please order now to ensure you don't miss this special offer!)



· The Stallion Service Auction provides breeders with an opportunity to purchase superior stallion services at a fraction of the cost.



· Hot links under “Resources” allows easy access to equine related websites and stallion owner sites to view progeny, breeding contracts and contact information.





We hope you enjoy this site and wish everyone the best of luck for the 2005 breeding season!



Kind regards,

Theresa Rogers

International Stallion Guide
for Sport Horses
P.O. Box 98, 40"D" Elizabeth Street
Okotoks, Alberta CANADA T1S 1A4
Tel: (403) 938-5436 ~ Fax: (403) 938-5441

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think they've done a good job.

[Rainbow Farm Unltd.]

And another relevant Press Release:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Feb. 04, 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Group Forms for Sport Ponies in Canada

Sport Pony Canada is a newly-founded group dedicated to promoting the
breeding, showing, and sales of sport ponies in Canada and North America.
Sport ponies are one of the newest trends in the horse breeding industry,
and are generally based on established pony breeds such as Welsh, Connemara,
and New Forest Pony with thoroughbred and warmblood crosses gaining
popularity. The goal is to create an athletic pony of a balanced, small
horse type for children and small adults to compete on.

A sport pony is defined as a pony that is bred to compete in one of the
performance disciplines such as hunter/jumper, dressage, eventing, reining,
or combined driving. Currently Sport Pony Canada is not a breed registry,
though we are pursuing the possibility.

The group was formed when Alana Longman, a lifelong Welsh pony and cob
breeder in Saskatchewan, was looking to establish a Saskatchewan or Prairies
Pony Promotion Group in September of 2003. With strong interest from Albera
and British Columbia, the group grew to Western Canada, and with the
addition of pony breeders in Ontario, the organization has grown Canada-wide
and started taking memberships in the beginning of 2005.

As part of our goal to help top breeders and trainers find markets for their
ponies, we are planning a Private Treaty Sale and tradeshow booth at Spruce
Meadows Masters, Sept. 7-11, 2005. The sale, to be held at Sweet Talk
Stables about 20 minutes from Spruce Meadows, will feature 30 trained ponies
available for private purchase. We believe this is perhaps the first
initiative in Canada that has seen such top-quality ponies available in one
place to the public.

A key part of our promotional effors has been the website, which features
listings of breeders from all over Canada and the US. The site also features
the bi-monthly Sport Pony Magazine, with industry news, trends, profiles,
and feature articles.

For more information, please visit our website: www.sportponycanada.com
-------------------------

Questions and interviews are more than welcome and can be directed to:
Alana Longman (President) 306-656-2051 alana@ch-equestrian.com
Christy Weese (Editor) 780-466-2018 editor@sportponycanada.com

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Lesley Feakins]

Hmmmm very interesting, Barb...thanks for the post above.

Well, I think if we're going to do this, its time to form our board members and take this off line for a while in an effort to "put it together". We have plenty of ideas and suggestions from this thread on how we want or don't want this group to go, plenty to get us started. I think we can move along a lot quicker if just a small core group get this going at least for now.

[benno]

If you would like to serve on the initial steering committee to get all our hard work organized into a presentable format for the larger group to look at, please email me. The steering committee will communicate with one another by group email. If you would like to serve on this initial committee, you must like coffee and be able to send/respond to emails every day for the next couple of weeks. It is not necessary to have representatives from each of the points of the star at this time. It is necessary for the people on this initial steering committee to have the good of the larger group as their top priority, placing it above individual interests at this point (knowing that "a rising tide raises all ships"). We will post periodic updates about our progress on a COTH BB thread titled "Performanceponyalliance.com". The intent is to have this be an organization that will allow all voices to be heard, votes taken on important issues, and efforts rewarded. It is a volunteer group, no individual will be paid, but monetary outlays that have been approved will be reimbursed. A publicly available PayPay accounting will be available to members. There will probably be an "Executive" Committee or Board to get this up and running, with members of that Committee/Board voted on by members who have paid an initial membership fee. Fair enough? Let's roll - spring is right around the corner. I look forward to the emails: nferebee@bellsouth.net

[Pony Mom]

Was wondering what is going on with the formation. Checked the websites listed but everything said under construction. Has this topic moved to another board?

[Pony Mom]

Hello? any info.??