Submitted by Brianna Zwilling: Drybrooks Moon River competing at US Finals against the big horses! Susan J. Stickle Photography
This July, we are highlighting “Small But Mighty” breeds on YourDressage!
We asked our social media followers to share a photo of their favorite pony, and tell us a little about them, for a chance to be featured in an upcoming gallery or to share a story about their partnership with the YourDressage community.
Riders who choose a pint-sized partner as their dressage mount could be 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.
My pony, Richard Lowenherz, competes at the FEI para dressage level. We are generally the shortest competitors 😊; Sharon Packer photo – Meghan B.My Icelandic pony Odin who my family Imported as a 3 y/o when I was 12! He is 9 this year and I am 18. 2 weeks ago I achieved my bronze medal on him I trained him from intro-3rd level on my own with the help of my coach and got every bronze score on him 🙂 – Liv R.Section D Welsh Cob Stallion Quillane Authentic, bred and produced by me. He grew up showing at the DSHBs against the big guys. This year we are finishing out 3rd level, and moving on ⬆️; Allyssia Timberlake Photography – Amy R. Tyngwndwn Lovespoon “Lisa”- 24 year old Welsh Cob. Loved and shown by Lucy Martin (9 years old) and Owned by Martha Stover. Lucy and Lisa have been showing together for 3 years. Lucy’s favorite thing to do is canter her pony bareback! ❤️ – Lauren S.-M.I’m working on developing my Dales pony mares into lovely dressage ponies before they produce foals of their own for this critically endangered breed. It’s been a fun start so far and I hope to take 3 of them to some schooling shows next year. – Jennifer M.Yuri (Fever’s Western Sky). Riding his 4th season of Dressage and not even 8 yet. Top Scoring Pony NDPC at Intro in his first year riding dressage. Needs one more score to complete his USDF 1st Level Horse Performance award. 2nd level next! – Phil K.My daughters 7 year old 13.3 hand grade pony we bought from an auction at 2 years old for $650. Shes 12 and has worked with him since we bought him. Hes the best boy and loves his job. This was their first canter test together at starter level this year. She battled the left lead for the longest time to finally find out he had a fusing hock. After some things with the vet hes been getting it every time now and shes able to canter a test with a smile now. She has big goals with him 😍and they have such a great bond.❤️ – Lauren B.14.2hh Victorious Six is a 12 yo GRP. I sometimes call him Sporty Spice because he has the right amount of personality and expression in the show ring to impress the judges! He is first and foremost my best buddy, putting his trust in me to guide him wherever I want to take him — including trails, fields, clinics, or just for a quiet graze! 🩷 I’ve only had him less than a year, but he was just what I needed, after struggling with a wonderful but hard-to-ride 17hh Oldenburg; Q2 Photography – Carol M.My Morgan is 14.2 hh 💜 The best things come in small packages – Gigi K.Ruthar’s Reflection (Malcom) my pint sized 13.2 Gypsy Vanner! He just moved up to First Level this year, his second year showing dressage! He also loves trail rides, costume contests, and any sort of food! 🐛 Ponies Rock! – Liz H.My GRP pony, Hesselteichs Grandios (Brego) making this 40 year old AA mom’s dreams come true! Coming up on our two year anniversary, Brego is healing the wound left by the loss of my heart horse in 2021 💜 – Lauren L.Both very small, both very mighty- Liam (😎 and Dipped in silver (12.1hh) at midsouth pony club megarally this summer; Xpress Foto – Anna D.My 13.1 Connemara mare Sky. We just started showing this season, she is 6. I got her last August, she was super green. – Sofia A.Not quite a pony, but definitely a small horse! – Wendy S.I’ve had the pleasure of riding Dragon’s Lair Diplomat. He is a 4 year old Welsh section D stallion owned by Nancy Hinz. He is by Dragon’s Lair Dynamic and out of Madoc Dessert Rose. His grandsire is the Grand Prix stallion, Kentchurch Chime. We showed in our first dressage show recently and scored a 67 in intro b. I grew up riding his mother and other Madoc ancestors. He inherited so many wonderful qualities from both his mother and his father’s side. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for him! – Sarah W.This is Moose. He is 14.2 hh. He is my new riding partner after losing my right leg two years ago and I had a below the knee amputation. I’m now a certified para dressage rider. We had our first lesson and then four days later did a local dressage show. Starting g all over at intro but with a new partner who “feels” me and my needs! What else could a girl want? – Maria S.-C.Our AHR was quite successful at his first show at the WEC – Peggy S.Ok so she just barely squeaks over the pony height at 14.3, but I’m so darn proud of my little rescue mare Destiny. Had her two and a half years, and got her back to a good weight and good muscle mass. This month was our first show doing a riding class at a show, not really expecting to get first but we did. Now to work with her on the bit so we can do some proper dressage work. She definitely loves her side-pull bridles though. – Mary D.In my early thirties I dabbled in big young warmbloods and my confidence disappeared, so much so that I thought about leaving the sport. Enter Oli, a 9 year old at the time German Riding Pony by Numero Uno who had been left on the back burner and needed some love. It is crazy to me how horses can find you at the exact time you need them. We are showing second level this year with hopes to debut at third by the end of the season ❤️; Q2 Photography – Sam T.Hooligan’s Happenstance is a 14.1 Connemara X. I started him when he was 3, and now at 5 he is everything we could have dreamed of! He has completed through Training level, and is taking a hiatus doing some events while he works towards first level! From beginner kids to intermediate adults, Graffiti makes every ride fun ❤️; Lisa Michelle Dean Photography – Julia M.My mustang mare, Hallow, coming in at a tiny 13.2hh! She just went to her second dressage show and was much more relaxed this time around. 💕 – Ashley L.Dubai’s Dream is my 12 year old GRP, currently competing at PSG 💗 I have had him since he was 3 and he is a hot ticket, 3 time US finalist and double champion in the small horse division in the AHS small horse category in 2025 at 4th level and Freestyle. Truly a 17 hand horse tucked into a tiny body with a personality just as big 😊; Susan J. Stickle Photography – Sara B.
