Thank you for taking the time to visit the Dales Pony Association of North America's website. By way of introducing you to and familiarizing you with the Association it is probably best to walk you down memory lane.

• 1991:  First Dales Ponies arrived in North America, imported to Canada by the Dunkley's of Canadale.

• 1993:  The Canadian Moutain and Moorland Society was founded.  This was a joint association registering and promoting the Dales and Exmoor pony.  Since Both breeds were small in numbers of ponies and owners, it was thought the ideal solution to cover such a large territory with limited finances.  The CMMS was divided into two committes: the Dales Pony and Exmoor Pony Committees respectively, which each individually dealt with their owners and registrations, but being promoted under the umbrella of the CMMS.

• Spring 1998:  After much debate, the Dales Pony Committee canvased the membership and by unanamous vote decided to diverge from the CMMS and form the Dales Pony Association of North America.  This was accomplished by disolving the CMMS and re-establishing ourselves as a seperate breed association. This decision was based on several factors.  The Dales Pony Membership consisted of equal numbers of Canadian and American members, and the Dales Pony Committee thought it would be best to represent both sides of the border by one association since the breed is in small numbers.  As well, difficulties between the Exmoor "mother" society in the U.K. and the CMMS, and unique registration requirements of the Exmoors were hindering the completion of the setup of the organization.  

• November 1998:  Dales Pony Assocation of North America receives approval For dissolution, from the Minsiter of Agriculture. This was later than expected owing to some difficulties with ongoing issues with the Exmoors.  However the original members of the Dales Pony Committee did not sit idle during the transition period.  The members were advised of the changes, bylaws were prepared for approval, all rare breed organizations and horse publications wer notified, and relevant documentation was prepared to ensure a smooth transition.  More was accomlished in six months for the Dales Ponies than in the five year period represented by the CMMS.  The membership was ecstatic with the dramatic increase in interest of the breed these accomplishments brought on.

The Dales Pony Association North America is a truly international and democratic body, with a well manned board of directors made up equally of U.S. and Canadian representatives. Every one is highly motivated and committed to the breed and the organisation. The DPANA prides itself in having great integrity to the breed, the association and the members, as well as being committed to the humane and ethical treatment of ALL Dales ponies. It is the ONLY comprehensive and complete registry of Dales ponies in Canada and the U.S., and is intent on maintaining the quality and high standards originally set down in the U.K. through maintaining stallion inspections.

The Dales Pony Association is making great strides educating the general public about this wonderful and rare breed and is working tirelessly to unify the entire North American Dales community into a cohesive body working together for the production of QUALITY Dales ponies, that will come to be respected and covetted WORLDWIDE.

URL:http://www.dalesponyassoc.com

Layout,design and revision Copyright © 2003 Dales Pony Associatio of North America. All rights reserved.

Prepared by: C. Dunkley May 2003.

Last modified: February 2005