They may be known as minis, but they’re starting to catch on in a big way in Maine.

Miniature horse shows aren’t rare in Maine as Cumberland Fairgrounds has been hosting them for the past five years, but now others are getting into the act as Whispering Pines Equestrian Center in Newburgh will host its first show and clinic Saturday and Sunday.

“This is the first time we’ve had a show at Whispering Pines,” said Gaylene Cooper, miniature horse owner, breeder and trainer. “I would think there would be a fairly good turnout. We’re taking five of our own and 10 total. I would think there could be 30-40 horses, maybe more.”

Miniature horses are not ponies. When fully grown, they stand no more than 38 inches (9.2 hands) tall and weigh 150-300 pounds – roughly less than half the size of an average regular-size horse.

“There are two registry divisions,” said Mark Cooper, Gaylene’s husband and co-owner of a family farm in Windham. “The ones that are 34 inches and under are registered with the American Miniature Horse Association [A Division minis] and the American Miniature Horse Registry [B Division minis].”

The Whispering Pines Miniature Horse Show will start at 9 a.m. at the center, located on Route 202 in Newburgh, and last until approximately 5 p.m. It will feature 31 different classes with roughly two-thirds of the competition being judged on physical appearance. The other third are performance classes such as jumping, trail (obstacle course) and driving. For driving, they are hitched to a cart and driven in one of three styles: country pleasure (slow and leisurely), single pleasure (showy or flashier) and roadster (faster speed).

Champions will be picked in all three reserve classes (mares, stallions and geldings) with those three champs competing for the title of supreme champion.

“It used to be we only had the fair shows. Two years ago we added two more shows to our club shows,” said Cooper. “We had three shows last year and we have four this year.”

Sunday’s clinic will start at 9 a.m. and will cover various aspects of mini horse owning and training.

The Coopers said they were told minis would grow quickly on them, but they didn’t know the half of it.

“I’ve been involved for four years,” Gaylene Cooper said. “We were only going to get two, but within a month of getting our first two, I had seven total. We just had six more and 22 total now.”

Many mini horses are used in place of guide dogs because they live longer and are just as, if not more, intelligent; ideally sized; and not easily distracted, according to The Guide Horse Foundation.

“For a lot of people, they’re not intimidating because of their size, and they’re extremely friendly. They love being around people,” Gaylene said. “They’re a size people are more comfortable with, and a lot of older people have gone to them because they’re much easier to take care of and don’t require a lot of space.”

Miniature horses range in price from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands.

“These horses have become a lot more popular over the last few years,” said Gaylene Cooper. “I think most people who get into having minis do so because they come to events like this and decide they want to have their own.”

aneff@bangordailynews.net

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