A Once in a Lifetime Find

While browsing Shetland Pony items on eBay recently, Dennis Robison chanced upon a bit of Shetland, Hackney, and Welsh history he had never before seen. As an avid collector of literature pertaining to these three breeds, Robison had already put together an amazing personal library.  Yet, the item he found was even more remarkable. The title of the item was "Price List No. 49 - Shetland, Welsh, and Hackney Ponies - Heyl Pony Farm, Washington, Illinois". What this price list (which is actually a 22 page booklet plus covers) contained was not just a listing of available ponies but it also included a number of newspaper article reprints about Heyl ponies, photos of Heyl ponies (Shetlands and Hackneys), as well as four pages of pony equipment. The Heyl price list has no date on it but based upon the show results and birth dates of ponies advertised it appears to have been printed in 1930.

Heyl Pony Farm was one of the most influential Shetland breeders of the 20th century. It would be difficult to find an ASPC Shetland today that does not have Heyl Pony Farm's most famous herdsire, King Larigo, in its pedigree and in most pedigrees he will appear more than once. Established in 1899, Heyl Pony Farm produced winner after winner and exhibited Shetland, Hackney, and Welsh ponies from coast to coast at such venues as Madison Square Garden and the Pacific International Live Stock Exhibition.   Heyls were also noted Hackney exhibitors as well.  Their farm was home to the vaunted stallion, Creation’s King, a champion in his own right and sire of many more.

Because he feels such interesting and rare historical information should be shared, Mr. Robison has reproduced reading copies (the photos reprint well) of "Heyl Pony Farm Price List No. 49" and is making them available to fellow Shetland, Hackney and Welsh enthusiasts for $5 each (to cover the cost of printing and mailing). If you are interested in purchasing a reading copy of "Heyl Pony Farm Price List No. 49" email Mr. Robison at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with Heyl Catalog in the subject line.