The Fell Pony Society of North America (FPSNA) is a registered 501c3 organization. The current FPSNA council has allowed its overseas branch certificate from The Fell Pony Society to lapse resulting in suspension. The Fell Pony Society, among other activities, maintains the official stud book records, sets standards for the Fell pony breed, and certifies overseas organizations that are willing to abide by FPS governance. FPSNA’s status is now listed as ‘suspended’.

In addition to this lapse in status with FPS, FPSNA’s 501c3 status is in jeopardy due to lack of financial transparency and disregard of bylaws.
It’s up to us, the North American enthusiasts, to come together and voice our support in getting FPSNA back into governing alignment and restoring it with a full, functioning council.

The concerns fall into 4 categories:

• Breakdown within Council. Two council seats have been vacated since Fall of 2025. FPSNA bylaws require 6. Council is required yet failed to maintain 2 of 4 critical officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Executive Secretary. Recently the Executive Secretary has left and there is no Treasurer. Nominations to fill empty seats have recently been submitted by members who are ready to serve, yet there is no effort by council to hold an election. In addition, FPS guidance put forth a deadline to hold an election for all council positions yet FPSNA has failed to meet that deadline.
• Lack of Financial Transparency. A 501c3 is required to submit financial records to anyone that makes a request. Two FPSNA members have made formal requests for financial records and the requests were denied by the council Chair. There is no evidence of balance sheets, no public info. on member #'s, no transparency regarding who has bank record access, no disclosed annual budget, etc.
• Failure to Comply with FPS. Guidance from FPS auditors has not been followed and FPS overseas branch certificate is now suspended.
• Lack of Fiduciary Duty by Council. The council's duties related to a 501c3 are loyalty, prudence, compliance to laws, and honesty. FPSNA bylaws give oversight authority to council in order to keep each council member in check. Council is choosing not to provide proper oversight of officers and their duties.

Let’s Unify Our Voices!

Let the remaining members of council know you want them to uphold their duties of oversight of each council member and fiduciary duty. The bylaws give them power to vote out dissidents. Together we can show The Fell Pony Society our desire to stay connected and in good standing with them. Despite current status, we have hope for not only restoration, but an organization that truly meets community needs. You do not need to be a member of FPSNA to sign in support. Many have already withdrawn support for FPSNA. Part of this effort is to bring all of us back together in restoring FPSNA as a vibrant, supportive community for all.

Organized by:

Jenifer Morrissey of Willowtrail Fell Ponies, workponies@frii.com

Elise Miller of Moonlit Fell Pony Farm, moonlitmiller@gmail.com

Kimberly Dunn of Fiddlehead Pony Farm, hayinabag@yahoo.com