NORTH AMERICAN PONY FUTURITY BASED ON SUCCESSFUL IHF
FORMAT
The
new NAPF hopes to bring the same lucrative incentive fund prize money
to pony breeders, youngster and stallion owners that the International
Hunter Futurity has provided for decades to their taller
counterparts.
The organization
recently received statistics that were compiled from the inception of
the IHF until 2004.
Sire
IHF Winnings
All The
Gold
$ 227,389.75
Castle
Magic
$ 187,016.35
Viscount
$ 180,980.00
Abdullah
$ 131,105.91
Schoenfelder
$ 120,687.50
Absolute
$ 112,245.00
Sir
Thompson
$ 98,191.00
Truck Drivin’
Man $
88,400.92
Bit of
Class
$ 63,596.50
A chat with Billie
Steffee (owner of All The Gold) was very informative regarding her
years of experience with the IHF. “I know of no other way other than
the futurity program that a hunter/ jumper stallion owner can win as
much money. The only way would be if you owned a Grand Prix jumper
that showed and won a lot, but your expenses are very high with that.”
She went on to say that All The Gold’s reputation as a sire grew from
the success of his get in the IHF performance classes, and she raised
her stud fee consistently throughout the years he stood to the public.
“We had many that wanted to breed top him but we limited his book to
about 40 mares per year.”
Successful west
coast professional and veteran IHF competitor Diane Yeager brings a
group of youngsters to the finals each year. “It’s been a most
rewarding part of my business. “ The first time we went with one 3
year old, won a lot of money, had a great time and sold the horse.
We’ve gone back every year since. My clients love breeding or
purchasing nominated babies to show on the line and then move up to
the performance classes. We have always gone home with plenty of money
and sold many horses based on their eligibility and performance in the
IHF. It is a long trip for us but it has always been worth it. I know
this new program will benefit the pony market immeasurably, as it has
promoted interest in young IHF horse sales.”
The NAPF is the only
major performance championship in North America for young ponies to be
showcased and achieve the valuable mileage they will need to embark on
their adult sport careers. As a 2009 startup the NAPF will strive to
achieve the same benefit of publicity for breeders, owners, trainers
and riders of young ponies that the IHF has done.
The North American
Pony Futurity will be held on July 25, 2010 at the Old Dominion Horse
Show in Manakin Sabot, Va. For more
information or to become a “Friend of the NAPF” go
to
www.ponyfuturity.org. or call 434-242-8937 or 540-854-8234.
The NAPF is a nonprofit organization.
