The Classic Shetland is a pony that possesses style and substance. It is more refined then the original imported Shetlands. The Classic Shetland exhibits a well balanced strong, sturdy body in a compact package. The Classic Shetland has a well proportioned body that maintains the strong Shetland constitution; a pony with substance in the chest, body and hindquarters. The short head is clean cut, with a fine muzzle, large nostrils, brilliant eyes, wide forehead and sharp, small well-set ears. The Classic Shetland possesses fineness of throat latch, length of neck in proportion to the body and a sloping shoulder. But in my opinion I don’t think you can ever have a neck to long. The picture here is of our yearling filly at the 2007 Shetland Congress where she won the Reserve Grand Champion Classic Mare and for those who don’t understand what that title means…..it means she is the second best Classic Mare in the country. We were very proud of her this year as she really started to develop nicely and won most of the classes she was in all year including the Area 8 Championship winner “Champion of Champions” in Monroe, WA.
The top line (top of the back) of the Classic Shetland is straight, short, short loin and well muscled and the tail is set high on the croup (butt).
The Classic Shetland has a natural, straight and springy way of moving. Extremes in length of neck ( I feel there is no such thing as long as it is in proportion to the rest of the pony), body, legs and action are undesirable.
Heights for Shetlands range just like any horse but for the purpose of showing here are the guidelines; Maximum height at the withers shall not exceed 46″. Classic Shetlands are shown in two height divisions Over & Under. The over division of Classic Shetland height regulations is like this; 3 years and older – Over 42″ but not to exceed 46″, 2 year old – over 41″ not to exceed 44.5″, 1 year old – Over 40″ not to exceed 43″. The under division of the Classic Shetland height regulations are in this order; 3 years old and older – 42″ and under, 2 year old – 41″ and under, 1 year old – 40″ and under. All weanlings (current year foals) are required to measure 40″ and under.
