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Lots of love for little horses: Du Quoin kicks off Shetland pony, miniature horse show

by jason lee, the southern

Sunday, July 9, 2006 6:50 AM CDT

DU QUOIN - Pint-sized equines were in the spotlight Saturday as the Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse Show kicked off at the Du Quoin State Fairground.

Groomed to perfection with gleaming coats and elegant mains, horses of a tiny variety were judged on their symmetry, strength, agility and alertness.

Erica Killion of Drasco, Ark. and 6-year-old Clementine Weeks exhibited a fleet of nine miniature horses at the show, just a small fraction of the more than 50 owned by Killion.

Killion said she's always been a horse enthusiast, but has stuck to raising the smaller breed since she was involved in a horse riding accident at age nine.

"I've just loved horses ever since I was little," Killion said.

Now Killion has passed down her passion to Weeks, who was one of many children to participate.

"I like showing them the best," Weeks said.

Miniature horses are typically no more than 38 inches tall and are the result of nearly 400 years of selective breeding, according to the American Miniature Horse Association. They were first imported into America from England and Belgium in the early 1900s as work horses to take advantage of their great strength in pulling carts in coal mines.

Killion said caring for her horses is nearly a full-time job, but it's mostly a labor of love.

"We work with the horses every other day, especially on grooming and presentation," she said. "It's also important that they get at least 20 minutes of exercise every other day."

Meanwhile, demonstrating that the hobby spans all generations, Marvin Subbert of St. Anne was awarded several ribbons for his Shetland pony, Marjane Hurricane.

Subbert, 74, and wife Jane run Marjane Stables. They have bred Shetlands and competed in shows for nearly 40 years. Marvin Subbert is a licensed judge and steward and travels to shows and competitions across the country from May through November each year.

"We just really like it," he said. "We're constantly trying to improve the breed."

Shetland ponies date back to the Middle Ages, when wild ponies would roam the hills of the British Isles. On Shetland Island in Scotland, the harsh climate favored the small yet resilient little horse.

These days they come in two types: the classic Shetland and the Modern American Shetland. The classic is the pony typically accompanied by children, though they have an adult following as well. The modern is a show pony bred for high action and showmanship.

Subbert said he like the camaraderie with other Shetland owners, but he admits the competition can get heated.

"They're all good friends, but we're dog eat dog in the ring," he said.

jason.lee@thesouthern.com

(618) 529-5454 ext. 5138