American Shetland Pony Club/American Miniature Horse Registry Youth Program Gears up for 2012

January 18, 2012–The American Shetland Pony Club, Inc.?s, Youth Committee is gearing up for a stellar 2012 with a new small equine give-away and many programs and awards for youth involved with Shetlands, Miniatures or Show Ponies.

The ASPC?s Youth Committee recently announced that the 2012 Youth Packet is now available from the dedicated youth website at www.aspcamhryouth.com This packet summarizes all of the youth activities, programs and awards for 2012 and provides all of the necessary rules and forms for these offerings as well.

For 2012?s ASPC youth program, the biggest change will be the cancellation of the essay contest at both the Shetland Congress and AMHR Nationals. However, in an exciting and bold move, the Youth Committee is replacing these activities with a Chance of Love essay contest.

The Chance of Love contest is open to all youth who are members of ASPC, Inc., and its subsidiary associations, the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) and the American Show Pony Registry (ASPR). Youth memberships are free and are available through the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR website at www.shetlandminiature.com. Adult members of ASPC are encouraged to sponsor youth in their area, thereby giving youngsters a chance to participate in the contest and possibly win an equine of their very own.

Presently, the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR?s Youth Committee is accepting nominations for Shetland or Miniature Horse donations for the contest. Donations may be considered from any current member of the association. For those willing to donate an essay equine, the application and selection process is open until February 15. The information to apply as well as rules for selection may be found in the 2012 Youth Packet.

ASPC/AMHR/ASPR youth members are reminded that they must renew their youth card each year in order to show or take part in youth activities sanctioned by the association. However, youth memberships are free.

Several programs, projects or deadlines for youth members will soon happen. First, the 2011 year-end award winners will soon be announced. Next, when the 2012 show season kicks off shortly, many local shows sanctioned by the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR will offer Youth Committee-sponsored awards.

The applications for the junior royalty at both the ASPC/ASPR Congress and the AMHR National Show will be due April 1. June 1 is the deadline for the youth T-Shirt design contest and scholarship applications as well as the Dan Langfeld, Jr., and Audrey Barrett award applications. These are all programs and awards available to ASPC/AMHR/ASPR youth members.

The ASPC/AMHR/ASPR Youth Program has offered a growing number of awards, programs and fun activities for the youth involved with Shetlands, Miniature Horses and Show Ponies since the mid-90s. Each year, ASPC/AMHR/ASPR youth members can apply for several dozen different awards, can earn prizes at local shows, can win scholarships, may try to win a free small equine and more. The Youth Program also offers a variety of educational and growth activities for youth such as the Quiz Bowl program, Junior Judging and more.

To learn more about the ASPC/AMHR/ASPR Youth Program, visit the dedicated youth website: www.aspcamhryouth.com

To sponsor a youth member or to learn about youth memberships, contact the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., through its website at www.shetlandminiature.com or call the ASPC/AMHR Office at (309) 263-4044.

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The American Shetland Pony Club is a non-profit organizations established to preserve and refine the bloodlines of American Shetland Ponies and to promote the enjoyment of these fine ponies. Recognized as the oldest and most versatile registry in the United States, the American Shetland Pony Club offer a variety of programs for Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse enthusiasts of all ages. Visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com or 81-B East Queenwood Road, Morton, IL 61550.

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