Green Ponies, Shaken Confidence & Inspiring Riders
BY NATALIE STEMPEL
After years of struggling in the hunter classes on my pony, it was time to find a partner who wanted to grow with me! Kasper has taught me so much about being...
Epic Farm Pony Feedback Frenzy Championship
BY ANN JAMIESON
Pony Finals, like so many eagerly awaited events, was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. Kids around the country who look forward to it all year were crushed when they learned...
2018 USHJA Foundation Gochman Grant Winners Make Plans for Pony Finals
BY IZZY FEINSTEIN
Starting in 2016, the USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant has awarded grants to three deserving junior riders, giving them an incredible opportunity to attend educational activities and compete on a qualified pony...
USHJA Young Pony Hunter Championship
BY EMILY LUCIBELLO
The fresh show season brings new classes like the USHJA Young Pony Hunter Championship, a new championship tailored for young Pony Hunter prospects.
The YPHC is designed for young Pony Hunters ages seven...
The Pros of Ponies
Photo: Jaden Porter and Farmore State of the Art competing at Pony Finals. Photo courtesy of Shawn McMillen.
By Ashley Shaw
The words “the pony ring” can stimulate a variety of thoughts and emotions for pony rider...
Road Map to Pony Finals
By Katie Lenkart & Audrey Oldfather | Photo by Adam Hill
Where to buy food:
The main food stand located next to the Main Hunter ring has killer French toast- I get it almost every morning!...
Who Jumped it Best? Medium Green Pony Hunters at Pony Finals
BY VYLA CARTER
Pony Finals may be over for the year, but that doesn't mean we can't still pick our favorites from the huge fields of top competition. Samantha Takacs and Galianna earned the overall Medium...
PonyKid’s Premiere Pony Finals
BY PONYMOMAMMY
Years and years ago, when I still read my PonyKid a book every night in bed, we read about a girl and her trip to Pony Finals. That book has been read dozens...
The Road From Reservation to Pony Finals
Above photo: Jordan Gibbs and Party Time in their Small Pony Hunter over fences round at Pony Finals 2017.
By TPH Intern Tori Weed
If you were at the 2017 USEF Pony Finals, you may have seen...
Spotlight: Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals
BY ANNIE BIRMINGHAM
There is nothing quite like the USEF Pony Finals. The unique event is not only a competition; it is also educational in nature—and connects young riders from around the country. While hundreds...
Ode to My Pony
Ryder Richardson on his pony jumper, RR Cool Play (“Becks”)
Dear Becks,
I want to thank you for being the best pony in the whole world. You have been my steadfast partner in all things. You...
A Thank You Note To My First Pony
By Grace Salmon
Thank you, to my very first pony, who helped me fall in love with this sport.
Thank you for teaching me what horsemanship was and for being the one who allowed me to...
Where Did My Pony Come From?
Thoughts on name prefixes and suffixes
By Randee Beckman
Once upon a time, it was considered very prestigious to own and show a pony with a known prefix. You knew the breeder or at least the...
Buying & Selling Ponies: A Beginner’s Guide to NOT Wasting Your Time
BY MARTHA RUSSELL
I’m new to this pony game. Well, maybe not new. My 13-year-old daughter is on her 5th (?) pony. She’s a great rider (that’s coming from Mom, so take it with a...
Mistakes Happen (Even at Pony Finals)
BY PONYMOMAMMY
We survived Pony Finals! I feel like there should be some recognition for us moms that helped groom, and clean stalls, and wash breeches in the laundry mat at the RV park at...
American Bred: Dream Big, a Pony That Lives Up to Her Name
BY TORI SHEEHAN
Holly Jarrett’s love for her daughter’s pony, Andi, knows no bounds.
“Andi is the best pony ever,” says Holly of the 8-year-old mare. “There’s nothing bad that I can say about her, she’s...
Ella’s Story
Above: Ella and Romeo
At The Plaid Horse, we are committed to giving young riders a platform to be heard and to develop their love of riding, writing and horsemanship. We hope that someday they...
A Mother & Daughter’s Joint Venture with a Registered Virginia Bred Pony
GAP SPRINGS HEART’S DESIRE
(Gypsy Time Traveler x Clementine by Wayfarer)
In the Spring of 2007, Debra Meighan of Leesburg, VA, had a decision to make. She owned a Hanoverian/TB cross mare which she had bought...
Magic in Malvern: The Farm
Reprint of July/August 2014 Pony Issue. Read the full magazine at https://issuu.com/theplaidhorsemag/docs/the_plaid_horse_70814_96_pgs
BY PIPER KLEMM
During the Devon Horse Show this year, I had the privilege of staying with the Bernhard family at The Farm in...
Q&A with Stefanie Mazer on Pony Shopping in Wellington
View of the ring and covered round pen at Stefanie Mazer's Forget Me Not Farm in Wellington, Florida. PC: Erin Gilmore
As we enter into the winter equestrian circuits, The Plaid Horse sat down with...
Pony Mom 101 – Equitation Basics Explained
BY PONYMOMAMMY
Pony kids aren’t expected to know everything, but learn in the form of weekly lessons, summer camp, and time at the barn. New pony moms and dads get to pay the bills—and that’s...
A Little Bit of Magic: Robin Greenwood on the Moments that Made Her Career
By Nina Fedrizzi
People often think of a life’s work in vast swaths of time; a slow march of days and weeks that, if you’re lucky, ultimately culminate in success. In reality, though, it’s more...
