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.
This rider from Region 2 shares how a vague Craigslist ad piqued her curiosity, and led to the Haflinger dressage partner of her dreams!
By Arron Wood-Wilbur
I purchased Maharaj during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when I was struggling with more than just the uncertainty of the world around me. I had recently relocated from Indiana to Michigan, leaving behind my family, friends, and the horses I had owned and loved for over a decade. To make the move possible, I had sold my personal horses, and shortly afterward, the world seemed to shut down. Like many people, I found myself feeling isolated, discouraged, and searching for something to bring joy back into my life.
One late night, while scrolling through Craigslist, of all places, I came across an ad simply titled: “Blonde Colored Pony or Baby Horse – $900.” There was no photo and very little description, but for some reason, I was intrigued. I contacted the seller and asked for a picture. The moment I saw him, I knew he was a Haflinger.
Growing up, I spent ten years in 4-H and competed in jumpers and fox hunting. My horses were typically tall, athletic, and fast—not small, round, and earthbound. Yet something kept telling me to go see him. I figured that, at worst, I would buy him, train him, and eventually find him the perfect forever home.
When I arrived, I learned that his owner had purchased him as a weanling from an Amish auction. She had no previous horse experience but owned a charming hobby farm filled with llamas, goats, and colorful chickens. What began as an impulse purchase had become a challenge. As Maharaj matured, he grew increasingly pushy and intimidating for an inexperienced owner. He was somewhat halter-broke, but that was the extent of his training.
I bought him and brought him to a boarding facility the following week.
Over the next year and a half, I gave Maharaj every experience I could think of for a young green horse. We logged hundreds of miles on the trails, exploring parks throughout Michigan and beyond. We attended week-long camping rides in Hocking Hills, Ohio, and Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. We sorted cattle, rode the Silver Lake Sand Dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan, and tackled every new adventure that came our way.
From the beginning, I knew there was something special about him. What started as a project horse quickly became a heart horse. Selling him was no longer an option.
The challenge became figuring out what discipline suited him best. Maharaj was willing and athletic, but he was not built to be a jumper. While I enjoyed western disciplines recreationally, they never felt like my true passion. Then, a friend suggested I try a dressage lesson.
I agreed, thinking it might be fun to try once. In all honesty, I assumed dressage would be too boring for me.
I could not have been more wrong.
In August 2023, I began taking lessons with my current coach, FEI rider and trainer Teah Bankes. Together, Teah, Maharaj, and I embarked on a journey that would completely change my perspective on both riding and horsemanship.
In 2024, Maharaj and I made our USDF show debut at Training Level. He exceeded every expectation I had—and probably a few of my coach’s as well. Since then, we have steadily progressed up the levels and are currently competing at Second Level, consistently earning scores in the mid-to-upper 60s.
Maharaj has also earned year-end recognition through the National Dressage Pony Cup, finishing among the top eight in his division each year we have competed. While I am incredibly proud of those accomplishments, what makes Maharaj truly special cannot be measured by ribbons or rankings.
His greatest quality is his heart.
Every day, he shows up eager to work, willing to learn, and determined to please. He never says no. He approaches every challenge with an incredible work ethic and a positive attitude that makes him a joy to ride and train.
Outside the arena, he is equally unforgettable. Maharaj has the personality of a golden retriever trapped in a pony’s body. Anyone who knows him knows his goofy smile, his playful antics, and his ability to make people laugh. He has a way of winning over everyone he meets.
For me, Maharaj is truly a once-in-a-lifetime horse. He has been my partner, my teacher, and my inspiration. From an untrained Amish auction pony to a nationally ranked dressage competitor, his journey has been remarkable.
I am incredibly grateful for everything he has taught me so far, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us as we continue our dressage journey together.
