pony of the Americas, riding-pony breed used as a child’s mount, developed in the United States in the 1950s by crossing ponies with Appaloosa horses. To qualify for registration with the Pony of the Americas Club, a pony must have the dappled Appaloosa patterning and measure from 11.2 to 13.2 hands (46 to 54 inches, or 117 to 137 cm) tall at maturity.