BY LYDIA CHANDLER
Not every six-year-old has the vision and the drive to create a goal and see it through, but young rider Colette and her pony Carrier Pigeon did just that. Five years ago, Colette, now eleven, learned about Pony Finals and told her mother that one day, she wanted to attend. They started looking at ponies that could make this dream come true, but after seeing the prices of competitive division ponies, they decided to go another route.
They bought Pigeon, whom Colette named herself, as a promising two-year-old. She was an adorable little mare, but she was too young to even ride yet. At first, Colette only groomed her pony and did groundwork exercises. The whole time, she kept an eye on her goal: Pony Finals.
Though she couldn’t ride Pigeon, she could practice modeling and jogging, so she focused on that. Those early years created a close bond between Colette and her pony, allowing her to learn her pony’s moods and predict her behaviors. They grew up together, a connection that would translate to confident communication under saddle later on.
But when it was time to start riding Pigeon, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. By December of 2024, it was time to get serious about qualifying for Pony Finals. Colette and Pigeon moved to their current barn, Ascend Equestrian, where their new trainer, Sarah Robertson, was ready to help them meet their goals.
Colette and Pigeon were very comfortable working together as a team, but they needed technical training to get to the next level. Colette lacked the finesse needed to show off her pony, and Pigeon did not have a reliable lead change, which had been causing issues for the pair. Colette’s trainer wanted to maximize their time together, allowing Colette to work with Pigeon every day, and only stepping in for a training ride once a week. Her trainer gave Colette the skills she would need to set Pigeon up for success by herself. They went back to the basics, learning proper flat work and balance in the turns, and as Pigeon and Colette grew more comfortable, the lead changes started to come naturally, as well as other important skills such as finding pace and track.
Fundamentals established, Pigeon and Colette started showing in the Short Stirrup, but Colette was starting to grow quickly. Since she was determined to qualify for Pony Finals with Pigeon, whom she had worked so hard to bring along, the traditional pony timeline needed to be adjusted. To avoid outgrowing her pony before they achieved their goals, her trainer started Pigeon in the 2’6” early, taking away one of the pony’s green years, so that she would be ready to move up confidently at the same time as Colette. Their unconventional plan worked, and Colette and Pigeon won reserve champion in their first outing!
But qualifying for Pony Finals wasn’t a direct and easy path, especially with such a green pony. In hindsight, Colette and her mother didn’t realize just how difficult starting with a two-year-old pony would be. The training process was full of ups and downs, and progress was slow. Her mother really emphasizes the importance of having an excellent trainer who has all the skills and knowledge to train both pony and child, as well as the willingness to work through the process with them.
Even after Colette’s trainer was able to get them ready for the division, there were still obstacles to face. Colette needed to learn how to manage her nerves, which kicked in once she realized she and her pony were true contenders, capable of meeting their goal. She came up with a routine with her trainer: going early to the ring, watching the other ponies go, learning her course, and going over her own plan.
Once she gets on Pigeon, she does breathing techniques to stay calm and focused. Her favorite exercise to do is three deep breaths before she walks in, three deep breaths in her trot circle, and three deep breaths at the canter before she jumps the first jump. With her nerves out of the way, Colette can pilot Pigeon with a clear head, with years of trust and experience on their side.
As a six-year-old, Colette made a goal, started gathering the tools she needed, and followed through until she succeeded. Not once did she ask to trade Pigeon in for an older, more experienced pony. Pigeon was her pony, and they were going to reach their goal together. It was a joint effort, and Colette asserts that reaching her goal was all the more rewarding knowing she taught her pony herself.
She credits both her mom and her trainer for helping her reach her dream, her trainer for coming up with the plan and helping them put the pieces together, and her mom for supporting that plan every step of the way. As they gear up for Pony Finals, Colette is ready to make the most out of the experience and celebrate the accomplishment that has been her goal for so long.
Lydia Chandler recently graduated from Villanova University with a BA in English and a minor in Economics. She is spending her summer as an intern for The Plaid Horse, as well as showing in the Amateur Hunters with her horses.
