The formation of the Tennessee Pony of the Americas Club, Inc. began in 1968 by a small group of people whose desire was to promote the Pony of the Americas in Tennessee through sales, shows, clinics, etc.
By November, 1968 a set of By-laws had been drawn up at a meeting held at the home of Thomas and Ruth Apgar in Crossville, TN. Thomas Apgar served as the club’s first President. In January 1969, members met at the Bobo’s home in Burns, TN., where the By-laws were revised and adopted by a majority of the members present. On February 10, 1969 the Articles of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State and a Charter was granted. Those By-laws were revised in 1984 by the general membership. In 2000, the Board of Directors revised the By-laws by opening membership to out of state exhibitors. In 2004 several minor revisions were made to the By-laws at the Annual Meeting held in Westmoreland, TN.
In a letter dated February 14, 1969, Ruth Apgar, the club’s first Secretary/Treasurer sent a copy of the By-laws and Charter to the Home Office. In that letter she stated that announcements of their February 23rd meeting would be announced in all the large newspapers. The Chattanooga Times and two other large newspapers were set to do feature articles on the POA. A showing clinic was scheduled and a reporter from the Roane County News would be covering that and taking pictures. At that time they were in the process of checking out some show possibilities.
For many years the club sponsored a spring sale toward the end of March which was held at Ellington Agricultural Center and followed the sale with a one day show.
Over the years several members of the Tennessee Club have been instrumental in promoting the breed on a National and International level. The well loved and highly respected, late Dwight Sharpton established relations with the Australian Paloose Club. His daughter, Julie, was able to exhibit there and the next year they sent a member of their club to exhibit in the United States. The National Club gives a high point award each year in memory of Dwight. Wayne Green, worked hard to bring the International to Tennessee for the first time. Dan and Joy Rogers also heavily promoted the POA. These people brought many members into the club over the years.
From a humble beginning possible by the dream of a small group of dedicated people, the Tennessee POA Club now has over 40 families. It has hosted the International show in 2003, 2004 and 2005. It also hosts the Southeast Regional in a rotation of the southeastern clubs and has a slate of shows which run from May through October.
