Hi Joyce,
ASPC x ASPC/AMHR horse can only show as a Shetland and will only have Shetland registration papers.
ASPC/AMHR x ASPC/AMHR horse will have (2) two sets of papers, one on the Shetland side and one on the Miniature Side. When bred together the offspring will always receive two sets of papers.
Now the first cross above...ASPC x ASPC/AMHR, if the resulting offspring stays small enough it can hardship in as a Miniature, because the offspring holds Shetland papers and has to meet the requirements at the age of three for the Miniature division.
ASPC x ASPC can hardship in as a miniature if it meets the height requirements....the miniature papers may or maynot show the Shetland heritage when hardship in. Once that horse is hardship as a miniature, then it can be shown as a miniature or a Shetland, but not in both divisions at the same show. One show you can show as a Miniature and another as a Shetland.
That is why you will now see many farms buy up these double registered horses so that they can show them in both divisions. With the ASPC/ASPR Congress wo DO NOT qualify our horses to attend Congress. You can just bring your horses and come show.
With the AMHR Nationals you have to show those horses under four judges at two seperate shows. This was set up several year back due to the large number of horses showing at only a National Area Show under the three judge system (since all National Area Shows count as three judges) and you wouldn't see those horses again until the Mini Nationals. With the adding of the second show and judge it made sure that those horses were qualified to show. Unlike the AMHA, where you have to EARN POINTS to show in ANY of their National Show Classes, the AMHR doesn't use a point system. It still allows families to go to a National show with the easy to qualify entry. Then if you so choose, you can enter a class at Nationals whether or not you have been in that class as any of the prior shows thoughout the show season. We did that back in 2000, never done Liberty with one of our horses, entered the Liberty on a whim and ended up winning that year in a class of over 60 entries. So it can be done.
With Nationals just getting over with, ANY show held after the Miniature Nationals is considered qualifying for the NEXT year. That is why down here in Texas, we hold shows after the nationals. We have several families that have a large show string so they start qualifying those horses for next year. The Halloween Spooktacular show and the Lone Star Pony Club who puts on Performance Only shows are some of the first shows to jump start with here in Texas.
Hope this helps.
Karen