Mini & Pony
American Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies (And One Dog) Thrill Crowds During 77th Annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago
By Zona Schneider
Dec 15, 2010, 12:33
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The American Miniature Horses and American Shetland Ponies who marched in the 77th Annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago may have been small in size, but they were big on thrilling the crowd. The Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies, along with one Rat Terrier named Susie, all came from Bertrand’s Miniature Horse Ranch in Watseka, Illinois, to take part in the holiday tradition that featured 400,000 people lining the parade route.
The Annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which features gigantic inflatable helium balloons, marching bands, floats and entertainers, is the biggest holiday parade in Chicago. While “big” may have been the theme, it was the small equine from Bertrand’s Miniature Horse Ranch that had the crowds “oohing” and “ahhing” all the way through downtown.
“The parade was a big success and it is a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving,” said Lennie Bertrand. “Our minis and ponies took up almost an entire city block walking single file. It is wonderful to hear how much the crowds like them, and that also includes Susie, our Rat Terrier, who was not only in the parade but on TV as well.”
Bertrand said he and his family got up around 2 a.m. to feed and load all of the animals to make the 90-mile trip to Chicago. “Downtown Chicago is really nice without the hustle of cars,” Bertrand said. “We have been in the parade for many years and always look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving by introducing new people to the our Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies. We let people along the parade route pet the minis and ponies and they really love it. It is a family tradition and we are one of the few horse events that are asked back every year.”
“Bertrand’s Horse Ranch is a great ambassador for the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry (ASPC/AMHR) and they introduce so many people to the joys of our small equine when they march in the parade,” said Zona Schneider, ASPC/AMHR Director of Operations. “The American Shetland Pony Club started in 1888 is one of the oldest equine registries in the United States. Incorporated in 1972, the American Miniature Horse Registry was first the registry for Miniature Horses in the United States and continues to be one of the foremost organizations committed to the preservation and promotion of these small equines.”
For more information on American Shetland Ponies and American Miniature Horses, visit their website at www.shetlandminiature.com. For more information on Bertrand’s Miniature Horse Ranch, visit their website at www.bertrandhorseranch.com.
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