I have not seen any other icelandics at the shows we go to, just curiosity seekers for mine at any given show. I know that the decision was made in reference to other ponies. The organization didn't all vote against the rule change but enough to fail the change. The icelandics that I own, although they are not the thickest I've seen, they are substantial in size and people say that my 220lb body looks matched pretty well on them, and I ride them on trails and never had them show a problem on a 4-5 hour treck so I am certain that this is about protecting the other ponies that are shown, and we get welsh crosses and grade ponies at the shows who are rather refined. They make mine look like little drafts if you know what I mean.
