Shetlands at Glenn County Fair

Shetland ponies from around the region will compete in a show of their own starting 8 a.m. Sunday at the Glenn County Fairgrounds.

John Stacy, a nationally known Shetland trainer from Orland, said there will be halter classes, driving classes, hunter in-hand classes, obstacle courses and the “at-liberty’ classes where the ponies run free.

Stacy and his wife, Naomi, operate Sunrise Show Horses in Orland. Stacy said he will show the number two Shetland halter mare in the nation at this event along with some driving ponies.

The fair’s Shetland show has been there for quite a few years, he said, but not many people know about it – or the breed itself.

“They are not the nasty little things they used to be known as,’’ Stacy said. “They are no longer fat, little furry things” like those seen in years past.

Today, Shetland show ponies have long, slender necks, more leg and a lot more refinement than the little equines many people grew up with, he said. And they’re a good alternative for people who want to maintain an interest in horses without dealing with large ones.

“Many people who’ve had horses all their lives may get intimidated by a big horse as they get older,’’ he said, “But these ponies can do everything the big horses do in events except for some riding events like hunters under saddle.’’

The attitude of Shetlands is much better now, too, he added, since they are more trainable and friendly.

The fair is offering show classes for large horses in both western and English events, so horse lovers have plenty of classes to watch. There also will be some open pony classes for miniature horses and other pony breeds, Stacy said.