Status: Professional Program: Stonewall Ponies, Ixonia, WI
As a horsewoman, I am most proud of my older ponies that are still out there teaching kids how to ride. I think it’s proof of a strong foundation and good care when a horse or pony is happily working in their late teens and twenties. • As a horsewoman, I would most like to improve the way we look at getting people and ponies started. There is such a rush to get animals and riders in the show ring. Showing should be fun for the ponies and the kids, a place where they can keep learning, not a pressure cooker of perfectionism.
The best part about being an equine professional is I get to hang out with ponies and people who love them all the time. • The part of training ponies I’m best at is figuring out what keeps them happy and eager to work with us. • My best piece of advice for young riders is spend as much time in the barn as you can! You can learn a lot by watching and hanging out with your pony, as well as watching lessons, watching the farrier, vets, and bodyworkers too!
I give kids opportunities riding and showing because I was given opportunities to learn and show and I think it’s very important to pay it forward! Plus I love helping kids learn to be empathetic riders. • My favorite horse book is Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley • My favorite non-horse book is All Creatures Great and Small (spoiler, it also has horses) James Herriot made me think I was going to be a vet ;)
A pony’s strength is in their brain. • I’m a sucker for a smart pony! They aren’t always the easiest to train, but they can be so rewarding once you figure out how to motivate them. I also seem unable to pass up grey ponies with great canters. • Ponies are more fun than horses.
On Mondays, you’ll find me either in the barn with the farrier and chiropractor, or if I’m zapped after a horse show, I might hang out in my PJs all day. • The future of our sport depends on teaching kids more than just riding! There is no excuse for kids to not know how to at least groom and tack up their ponies, and be safe in handling them on the ground.
My absolute favorite show is Devon because I love the history of it, and seeing so many top horses and ponies and horse people in one place… plus the food and shopping are amazing! • The most important quality for a pony rider to have is a hunger to learn whatever they can about horses. • My motto is Show up! You can’t get better if you don’t show up… sometimes you show up and fail, but then you get up and try again.
