| Shetland Ponies since 1944! |
| The History of Royal Pony Farm Page 3 |
Continued from Page 2...
Howard Richardson was awarded the American Shetland Pony Club Gold Brush Award in 1990, an Area VI Shetland
Pony & Miniature Horse Breeders' Association Presidential Award in 1991 and the American Shetland Pony Club Silver
Brush Award in 1992.
Howard Richardson was awarded the American Shetland Pony Club Gold Brush Award in 1990, an Area VI Shetland
Pony & Miniature Horse Breeders' Association Presidential Award in 1991 and the American Shetland Pony Club Silver
Brush Award in 1992.
| Howard receiving his Gold Brush Award. |
The original Richardson Family homestead was located along US
Highway 20 four miles East of Webster City, Iowa. Because of the
location, many visitors driving by would stop in to see the pony
herd. Everyone was welcome at any time and it was interesting to
meet people from all over the U.S.
Howard's dad, Theo, who also lived on the family farm had frowned
on having ponies since "they would break down fences" and "be
obnoxious or mean". It was not long before he was almost the first
one out to show off the ponies and brag about them. Just shows that
Shetlands can always win the "Love Division"! Howard's greatest
thrill was when the new crop of foals arrived in the Spring and he
found out if he had made the right decisions on crosses and what to
do different for the next crop of foals. He truly loved the breeding
program the best, even though he enjoyed seeing his produce win
awards in the show ring and also the "love" awards of the family pet.
Highway 20 four miles East of Webster City, Iowa. Because of the
location, many visitors driving by would stop in to see the pony
herd. Everyone was welcome at any time and it was interesting to
meet people from all over the U.S.
Howard's dad, Theo, who also lived on the family farm had frowned
on having ponies since "they would break down fences" and "be
obnoxious or mean". It was not long before he was almost the first
one out to show off the ponies and brag about them. Just shows that
Shetlands can always win the "Love Division"! Howard's greatest
thrill was when the new crop of foals arrived in the Spring and he
found out if he had made the right decisions on crosses and what to
do different for the next crop of foals. He truly loved the breeding
program the best, even though he enjoyed seeing his produce win
awards in the show ring and also the "love" awards of the family pet.
| One of Howard's annual rituals was to teach the first foal of the year to do tricks like stand on a bucket. Pictured above left is Howard with one of those trick foals and pictured above right is Donna with one. |
Howard and Arris raised three children: Donna Norcross, Roland, IA, who is still involved in raising, showing and selling
with the main herd; Shirley Moore, Amarillo, TX, along with her husband Robert raise some of the "Royal" ponies for
showing and selling; and Brian Richardson, Story City IA, who helps with the care of the main herd.
All of the children were playing with the ponies as soon as they could sit on them and showed ponies in 4-H and open
classes during their teens. The entire family, in-laws, grandkids, and now great-grandkids still continue to raise, show
and sell the ponies since Howard's death in 1999. The family hopes to carry on a tradition of quaility ponies with good
dispositions that everyone can enjoy.
with the main herd; Shirley Moore, Amarillo, TX, along with her husband Robert raise some of the "Royal" ponies for
showing and selling; and Brian Richardson, Story City IA, who helps with the care of the main herd.
All of the children were playing with the ponies as soon as they could sit on them and showed ponies in 4-H and open
classes during their teens. The entire family, in-laws, grandkids, and now great-grandkids still continue to raise, show
and sell the ponies since Howard's death in 1999. The family hopes to carry on a tradition of quaility ponies with good
dispositions that everyone can enjoy.
Pictured at right the family accepts Howard Richardson's
American Shetland Pony Club People Hall of Fame Award in
Florida in 2003. From left to right - Area VI Director Dennis
O'Keefe, Arris Richardson, Donna Norcross, Shirley Moore and
Brian Richardson.
American Shetland Pony Club People Hall of Fame Award in
Florida in 2003. From left to right - Area VI Director Dennis
O'Keefe, Arris Richardson, Donna Norcross, Shirley Moore and
Brian Richardson.
| Robert & Shirley Moore 5100 W. Yucca Amarillo, TX 79124 806-376-1820 |
| Donna Norcross 14163 - 580th Ave. Roland, IA 50236 515-388-4570 |
| Arris Richardson 12428 - 567th Ave. Story City, IA 50248 515-733-4451 |
| Donna Norcross 14163 - 580th Ave. Roland, IA 50236 515-388-4570 Arris Richardson 12428 - 567th Ave. Story City, IA 50248 515-733-4451 |
