a bit About Us

The Pony of the Americas Club, Inc., was founded in 1954 by a Mason City, Iowa, attorney, by the name of Les Boomhower. He saw a need for a “using type” pony for youth. His vision was to create a child’s size mount that was calm, intelligent, versatile, and sturdy enough to last all day. Les thought the Appaloosa type color would make them really stand out, and thus the POA breed was born.

Four boys in western attire stand in an indoor arena with two horses. One boy is sitting on a speckled horse, and another horse stands nearby.
Person in a blue shirt and cowboy hat stands next to a spotted horse in an indoor arena.
Seven children and two adults stand holding personalized aprons in front of a projection screen. The adults are at the back, and the children form a line in front, smiling at the camera.
Two adults and two children on horseback indoors. The adults are wearing cowboy hats; the children are on spotted horses. The setting is an indoor arena with people in the background.

The POA is a gentle child-size equine that can give a boy or girl confidence and responsibility which will serve in later life. The POA motto is “Try hard, win humbly, lose gracefully and, if you must … protest with dignity.” This perhaps more than anything else, sets POA exhibitors apart from others in the world of horse show competition. Boys and girls cheer for each other even though they are competing against each other. Deep friendships are made that last entire lifetimes for both parents and children from coast to coast. POAs are perfect for trail and endurance riding, ranch work and hunting. The gentle disposition, durability and intelligence of the breed serves it well.