This July, we are highlighting “Small But Mighty” breeds on YourDressage!
Riders who choose a pint-sized partner as their dressage mount are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as there are a number of pony breed organizations that are participating organizations.
A Region 8 mom shares the story of the partnership between her daughter and Roxie the spicy firecracker pony who fully embodies the Small But Mighty persona!
By Kim Stinson
Little did we know what was in store for us in August of 2022 when Roxie got off the trailer in Vermont. She came to us, from Florida, on what we thought would be a month-long trial period.
My daughter, Elizabeth, was ten years old at the time and we were looking for her next pony. She was riding almost daily, and enjoyed doing a bit of everything. Roxie was not a dressage pony… she had been a kid’s pony in Florida, and had shown extensively on the local hunter-jumper circuits. And me… while I had grown up riding, this was my time to simply enjoy supporting Elizabeth’s journey.
When I found Roxie’s sale ad, she looked to be a safe ride that Elizabeth could gain confidence on and begin jumping more, with plenty of capability to support her growth as a rider for several years. It was a challenging time to be searching for a new pony. The pandemic had driven up prices, and good sale horses were hard to find in our area.
I was nervous to invest in vetting and shipping a horse from Florida, but we had no luck finding a suitable mount nearby. And, although Elizabeth fell in love with her from the moment she stepped off the trailer, her first ride on Roxie left her a bit unsure. Roxie’s large stride and forward movement was the exact opposite of her current pony. Thankfully, Elizabeth was able to spend time with Roxie daily, while building their early partnership, and was determined to make it work because Roxie was simply the cutest pony ever!
Needless to say, we decided to keep Roxie! We both recognized that this partnership was going to take time to develop, but Roxie was safe and sensible, which was exactly what a ten year old kid needed.
At the time, we were boarding her at a barn that welcomed multiple disciplines, and Elizabeth and I discussed the need to take it slow and try new things with Roxie as they got to know each other – there was no need to rush. We both knew that she was “the one”, but also recognized that Roxie would ultimately pick their path, and it was important that we listen.
During their first six months together, Roxie was hand grazed at every opportunity, dressed up for Halloween, wore reindeer antlers for Christmas, was pampered over, and cuddled, all while Elizabeth gained confidence in the saddle and was able to ride independently both indoors and out.
In addition to her time with Roxie, she participated in the local Pony Club, attended a weekly horsemanship program, and volunteered to help with the barn’s youth programs, all while building her own horsemanship skills.
That spring, Elizabeth had the opportunity to ride in her first dressage clinic! After that, she joined the Central Vermont Dressage Association and went to her first dressage show, where she and Roxie rode their first Intro A and B Tests.
As the season went on, Elizabeth continued to explore her partnership with Roxie and became more excited about dressage. We decided it was a good time to find a dressage-focused program closer to home, where they could train together in a more structured environment. Despite limited options in our geographic zone, doors began to open for Elizabeth and Roxie.
Over the next couple of years, Elizabeth had the opportunity to be a working student for both Mollie Bachner, and then Ruth Hogan-Poulsen, both of whom are USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalists. Under the tutelage of both of these trainers, Elizabeth and Roxie learned so much.
Roxie was new to dressage… in fact, when we got her she didn’t understand how to bend or leg-yield! Everytime you would use your leg, Roxie reacted by simply going faster. Because Roxie was learning skills at the same time as Elizabeth, progress was slow. Luckily, there were opportunities for Elizabteh to ride schoolmasters with both trainers, and it was these rides that opened her eyes to the possibilities with Roxie.
Despite these incredible opportunities, their journey was not without challenges, struggles, and frustration. Being a petite, 14-hand, short-backed pony, it was difficult to find a saddle that fit properly, resulting in several saddle purchases.
But, the largest setback was ulcers. Like many horses, Roxie’s symptoms were vague and it took many vet visits and exploratory tests, imaging, and finally a scope before we uncovered a stomach riddled with severe ulcers. As disappointing as this finding was, we were relieved to finally have answers. Working with our vet, we developed a plan for recovery.
Like any plan though, we had to be flexible and change course several times before we finally developed a preventative plan that worked for Roxie. This was a difficult time for Elizabeth. The discomfort from ulcers caused Roxie to begin to rear under saddle, which was a scary reality for all of us involved. Elizabeth was only 12 years old, and the worry for the health of her pony and their future together sat heavily on her.
We took things really slowly in the beginning, and I spent more time in the saddle helping Roxie to feel comfortable again while Elizabeth watched from ringside. Rearing had turned into a habit that was not something that a 12 year old rider could safely handle. As time went on, the bad habit of rearing began to turn up less and less, and Elizabeth was slowly learning skills to encourage Roxie to move forward (instead of up).
It was a long journey as Elizabeth had lost a lot of confidence in the saddle, and the time off (almost a year out of full work) had resulted in Roxie becoming unfit and losing significant muscle along her topline.
Throughout all of this, their partnership, built on a foundation of trust, courage, and determination, remained strong. Trust was built through all of the pampering and groundwork activities as they got to know each other, which led to courage for Elizabeth to step out of her comfort zone, gain confidence in the saddle, and try new things with Roxie. And it was Elizabeth’s determination to never give up, and to stick by her pony’s side as we worked together to find a path forward following Roxie’s injury so they could continue to chase their dreams.
Elizabeth worked hard both in and out of the saddle. She rode as much as possible, and developed a strong connection with Roxie. We knew Roxie had found her forever home, and we both found ourselves enamored with this spicy little red pony mare.
Fast forward to the present, and Elizabeth and Roxie are now both 14 years old, and have come so far together. Roxie is no longer the same “kids pony” that bopped around with her nose out straight. Through proper training and conditioning Roxie has developed muscle where we never could have imagined, and built incredible stamina through a program that includes bareback rides, hacks in the field, in-hand skill work, and time in the arena. Roxie has developed into an exceptional athlete, with a personality to match.
The partnership and trust developed over time is by far their greatest accomplishment, and it is truly a pleasure to watch them in the sandbox together. This year they are competing at Training Level and in Dressage Seat Equitation, at both local and recognized shows. It is a gift to see determination and perseverance prevail.
To complement time in the saddle, Elizabeth has become involved in 4H to further her equine science knowledge and horsemanship skills. She also makes time to give back to the sport as a volunteer. Elizabeth volunteers at the annual Dressage 4 Kids Youth Dressage Festival, and for the Central Vermont Dressage Association (CVDA), as their Year-End High Score Award Coordinator, for members competing at the Green Mountain Horse Association-recognized shows. It is this well-rounded, multi-facitated approach, and her involvement in so many aspects of the sport, that has not only influenced her life as a horseback rider, but will ultimately serve her well in life outside of horses too.
When I hear the phrase, “Small but Mighty”, I cannot help but picture Roxie, this spicy, firecracker of a pony, who truly embodies all the qualities of the 2026 Year of the Red Fire Horse. She is small, but mighty, and may she inspire others to find a pony partner to enjoy.
If you are looking for a dressage partner. I encourage you to consider a pony – they are a blast! The personalities, silly antics, and straight-up cuteness make them the perfect partner. I have always gravitated to riding ponies, and Elizabeth is following in stride. These pint-size packages are full of adventure and excitement, and I hope the story of Elizabeth and Roxie brings confidence and encouragement to the next generation of riders on these spicy ponies. Big things come in small packages!
