About Us
Our members are brought together by sharing the love of their Highland ponies. They span across the continent from British Columbia, Missouri, Maryland, Oklahoma, Illinois, California, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Washington, Wyoming, Tennessee, & Massachusetts. They are all levels of riders and participate in many disciplines. We all love to hear what is happening with everyone's ponies, who is going where and what babies may be born.
HPECA benefits include:
HPECA benefits include:
- All Members are invited to attend the Annual HPECA Meeting.
- Membership Card.
- Newsletter, published two times per year.
- Free advertisement in the Newsletter: one stud advert OR 3 wanted/ for sale/ services add in each Newsletter.
- Rosette Award Program: as part of the promotion of Highland Ponies in America in Equestrian events and competitions, HPECA Rosettes will be awarded to pure and part-bred ponies registered with the HPS, who compete or participate in Equestrian events.
- Membership provides a network of other Highland Pony enthusiasts for information, support, and social contact.
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The History of our Wonderful Ponies
Out of the Scottish Highlands comes the sturdy Highland pony. It is one of the world’s most versatile breeds.
Highland ponies used for centuries by crofters, the small land holders in the remote Scottish Highlands; pulled carts, plowed fields, carried culled red stags from the highlands, and offered the family children a ride. When called on, they carried clansmen into battles. In the later years, in both world war I and world war II, they carried the Scottish cavalry to check the battle lines. Many of the ponies unfortunately did not come back to their homes. This severely depleted the Highland pony numbers in the world. Even today, the Highland pony is listed as vulnerable on the endangered species list. There are currently less than 150 on the North American Continent and roughly 3500 in all the world.
The Highland Pony is the largest of the two native pony breeds of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. As a result, it has over many centuries adapted to the variable and often severe climatic and environmental conditions of Scotland. The winter coat consists of a layer of strong badger-like hair over a soft, dense undercoat which enables this breed of pony to live out in all weathers. This coat is shed in the spring to reveal a smooth summer coat. This essential hardiness is combined with a kindly nature and an even temperament.
Today’s ponies are the direct descendants of these crofter ponies. The first recordings in stud books in Scotland date back to 1880. Prior to this date, there are many recordings of their use. Over the centuries, they have been extremely popular with various royalty. In the 1300’s, in the days of William Wallis of the Braveheart era, a Highland was ridden by King Robert the Bruce, at the battle of Bannockburn in which Scotland became it’s own entity.
The in the 1800’s Queen Victoria took a fancy to the Highland. She was known to have ridden a Highland during her nature trails into regions of the Highlands which had no roads suitable for a carriage. Eventually, Balmoral became her Highland home and still uses working Highland ponies to carry stags off the beats during hunting season.
Two types of Highlands have developed in Scotland over the years. The first, a stout, light draft type was bred on the mainland, known as the Garron. The other a lighter type, with a smaller frame and height, came from the Islands of Islay, Rhum, Mull and Barra in the west.
The Highland is hardy, healthy, long-lived and economical to keep. The breed is renown for its strength and resilience. Even though it's referred to as a pony, they carry adults. The Highland has qualities, along with its good temperament, which are vital to the success in driving. Easy to match in size and color, Highland ponies, with their smart and striking appearance, in a 2 or 4-up hitch, give pleasure wherever they go.
While most Scottish Highland ponies live in Scotland, they are also found in England, Australia, Germany and here in North America.
In North America, there are less than ten stallions spread across the Western US, Midwest, East and one in Canada. At present, there are several breeding mares stateside. The breed registry is located in Scotland, and includes pure bred in the full stud book and half Highlands in the part-bred book.
Today, the Highland is still used for carrying deer off the Scottish hills, as well as pony trekking, showing, and driving.
Highland ponies used for centuries by crofters, the small land holders in the remote Scottish Highlands; pulled carts, plowed fields, carried culled red stags from the highlands, and offered the family children a ride. When called on, they carried clansmen into battles. In the later years, in both world war I and world war II, they carried the Scottish cavalry to check the battle lines. Many of the ponies unfortunately did not come back to their homes. This severely depleted the Highland pony numbers in the world. Even today, the Highland pony is listed as vulnerable on the endangered species list. There are currently less than 150 on the North American Continent and roughly 3500 in all the world.
The Highland Pony is the largest of the two native pony breeds of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. As a result, it has over many centuries adapted to the variable and often severe climatic and environmental conditions of Scotland. The winter coat consists of a layer of strong badger-like hair over a soft, dense undercoat which enables this breed of pony to live out in all weathers. This coat is shed in the spring to reveal a smooth summer coat. This essential hardiness is combined with a kindly nature and an even temperament.
Today’s ponies are the direct descendants of these crofter ponies. The first recordings in stud books in Scotland date back to 1880. Prior to this date, there are many recordings of their use. Over the centuries, they have been extremely popular with various royalty. In the 1300’s, in the days of William Wallis of the Braveheart era, a Highland was ridden by King Robert the Bruce, at the battle of Bannockburn in which Scotland became it’s own entity.
The in the 1800’s Queen Victoria took a fancy to the Highland. She was known to have ridden a Highland during her nature trails into regions of the Highlands which had no roads suitable for a carriage. Eventually, Balmoral became her Highland home and still uses working Highland ponies to carry stags off the beats during hunting season.
Two types of Highlands have developed in Scotland over the years. The first, a stout, light draft type was bred on the mainland, known as the Garron. The other a lighter type, with a smaller frame and height, came from the Islands of Islay, Rhum, Mull and Barra in the west.
The Highland is hardy, healthy, long-lived and economical to keep. The breed is renown for its strength and resilience. Even though it's referred to as a pony, they carry adults. The Highland has qualities, along with its good temperament, which are vital to the success in driving. Easy to match in size and color, Highland ponies, with their smart and striking appearance, in a 2 or 4-up hitch, give pleasure wherever they go.
While most Scottish Highland ponies live in Scotland, they are also found in England, Australia, Germany and here in North America.
In North America, there are less than ten stallions spread across the Western US, Midwest, East and one in Canada. At present, there are several breeding mares stateside. The breed registry is located in Scotland, and includes pure bred in the full stud book and half Highlands in the part-bred book.
Today, the Highland is still used for carrying deer off the Scottish hills, as well as pony trekking, showing, and driving.
