20 Awesome Spots and Dots That Brighten Up Hunter/Jumper Shows
BY BLOG EDITOR LAUREN MAULDIN
Though I've been extremely fortunate to own and ride great horses in my life, there's a holy grail that keeps eluding me. I dream about, yearn for and obsess over...
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...
Who Jumped It Best? 2018 Pony Finals Regular Small Pony Hunters
BY VYLA CARTER
At Pony Finals, competitors have one chance to show off their pony over fences to impress the three panels of judges. Over 100 Regular Small ponies jumped their best in the Walnut...
A Pony’s Impact: How One Pony Can Influence Lives
BY VYLA CARTER
We all remember that special teacher in our lives- the one who made a difference to us. They may not have been the easiest or the kindest, but their impact is something...
Celebrating the Round: Regular Large and Small Green Pony Hunter Over Fences at USEF...
BY VYLA CARTER AND MACKENZIE SHUMAN
During the second day of Pony Finals, champions were crowned in the Regular Large Pony Hunter division and Small Green Pony Hunters. Top placing riders gave a little extra love...
The 7 Types of Ponies You Meet at Pony Finals
BY EMILY LUCIBELLO
The Oldie:
Oldies are a blessing from the heavens. You have seen this pony at shows for what seems like eons and have no clue how they are still around. Needless to say,...
Pony Finals Must Do’s
BY ANNIE BIRMINGHAM
With the start of the annual USEF Pony Finals quickly approaching, perfectly prepped ponies and their equally adorable riders from across the country are perfecting their final touches before heading to the...
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...
From World Grand Championships in the Tennessee Walking Horse Ring to Pony Finals
BY VYLA CARTER
Many pony riders are nervous, jittery and extremely excited as they head off to Pony Finals at The Kentucky Horse Park for the first time. Finley-Grace Brooks is just like them, but...
Pony Finals Judges Offer Insight on How to Have a Competitive Edge
BY IZZY FEINSTEIN AND ELISE STEPHENS
Adorable ponies and their riders travel from all over the United States to compete at USEF Pony Finals in Lexington, Kentucky. Competing at this prestigious event is a dream...
What it’s like To Be a “Horsegirl” in School
BY EMILY MCNEILL
While watching a movie in history class, a calvary stampedes onto screen. Immediately, your classmates swivel towards you. In the midst of completing punnett squares in biology, a question regarding horse genetics...
Devon Sibling Spotlight: The Propp Sisters
BY ANNIE BIRMINGHAM
Stella, Juliette, and Clara Propp are a trio of siblings hailing from New York, New York. Stella, 15, competes in the 3’3” junior hunters aboard Maraschino, Morocco, and Neato, in addition to...
Scenes From 2018 Devon Junior Weekend
BY IRENE ELISE POWLICK
The first few days of The Devon Horse Show and County Fair have been filled with wins, sunshine, and excitement to be showing at one of the greatest and most historic...
My Goal to Own a Horse: From a Lopsided Equestrian
BY CARLY PHOON
Being fully responsible for a living, breathing, animal– to some, the matter is mentioned with a casual shrug. But to me, it’s exciting, daunting, and a long-term goal. One day, I will...
New Pony Parent Horse Show Guide Part III: Hurry Up and Wait
BY PONYMOMAMMY
We’re back with the final installment of the new pony parent horse show guide! Make sure you didn’t miss the vocabulary lesson and prep/clothing guide, but for today we’ll get on to surviving...
New Pony Parent Horse Show Guide Part II: Prep and Attire
BY PONYMOMAMMY
So, you’ve got the date on the calendar for the first show. Now what? In my last post, we covered some horse show vocabulary for the newly indoctrinated pony parent. Today, we’ll talk...
New Pony Parent Horse Show Guide Part I: Vocabulary
BY PONYMOMAMMY
If your kid is waiting for spring not because the weather is warmer, but because spring means horse shows — Congratulations and welcome to being a horse show parent!
A horse show is a...
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...
Equitation With Tourette’s: A Young Rider’s Story
BY BLOG EDITOR LAUREN MAULDIN
Horse lovers come in all shapes, sizes and personalities to boot, but there’s one thing every equestrian will agree on – riding is a hard sport. We have to juggle...
6 Things to Look For When Shopping for a Short Stirrup Pony
BY STEFANIE MAZER
Short stirrup is an important division for young riders. For many, it’s their first time showing over straight rail fences. The jumps can have fill and width, and the courses start to...
10 Pony Cakes for Your Next Barn Birthday
Pony girls dream in fluffy forelocks, tiny trots and satin ribbons... and those dreams include birthday wishes! With crossrails and canter transitions constantly on the brain, it's no surprise that pony girls hope for...
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...
