Submitted by Stina McKay Thakor: Talywern Legally Blonde, aka "Del," came to us a little over a year ago for my 8 year old daughter Lily. They are currently showing Intro A and B, and are headed to their first Pony Cup! In addition, my mom and I have both shown her, and my mom will be doing her Century Ride on her in July. One perfect pony for three generations of horsewomen.
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.
This is “WillowStar”🩷 & she is our princess pony👑🥰. She is 13 and owned by Kristin Hermann. Willow & I are new together as I started riding her January 2025 and last year we were the USDF North American Sport Pony All-Breed Champion at Training Level. This little Pony mare is truly special and we had fun last year! I’m excited to continue our journey together and so thankful to Kristin for this opportunity. This little girl is my♥️🥹! Paul Lippincott photo – Michelle L.Oh where do I begin. Ponies will always have my heart, but I shall mention the 3 that have made me the rider I am today. First we have GF Windchime (welsh sec. B), fatty mcbratty, the chime, flying sausage. While she was not my first pony, she was the first one i dared to take into the show ring… She was definitely the real-life Thelwell pony who would dump me for sport. We competed up to first level dressage, evented, show jumped and even barrel raced. Taught me ALOT. Ree Cobb Photographics image – Cameron D.Ironwood Xander, this is the test he finished my bronze medal. Ridden dressage is his side hustle, his day job is combined driving. But what started as a tool to improve his driven work turned into an equal passion. But most importantly, every ride, every drive puts a smile on my face. – Denice K.Grand Prix and 14 hands! Grade pony nonetheless ❤️ Yellow Horse Marketing photo – Maddie K. Read about Maddie and Billy Bob’s journey to Grand Prix in “The Yellow Brick Road to Gold“My sweet Le Dame Blanchè at PVDA Ride For Life three years ago today! I was five months postpartum- first recognized show back for me, and first ever for her. She walked into the arena like it was her favorite adventure ever and even earned a first place 🥹🦄💜 Pc: Tara Jelenic Photography – Emily M.Evans Pretty Baby (AKA Cupcake) is a 13.2 hand 1/2 Arab 1/2 Welsh mare who is all so an inspected and branded German Riding Pony. She is owned and ridden by my 12 year old daughter who has done most of her training. They compete in dressage and eventing. She is currently showing first level and schooling second with the hopes of showing FEI Child next season. – Karen S.My homebred Welsh/TB cross Mia, we showed successfully at second level and then was hit by an icky bout of Lyme. She is my heart and at 20 years old, is now a beautiful lawn ornament and occasionally a trail partner on days she feels up to it. – Tiffany T.Dance De Luxe (aka: Leo) is my first pony and first one to train up the levels. He definitely is full of his opinions, but has made me a far better rider. – Jensena U.This is Jack Daniels, my 13.3 hh sport pony. He is 11 years old and competing PSG this year. I have owned him since he was 4 months old. 💖 – Debbie B.My 14.1 gypsy pony, Emerald Winds Celebration (Lyra)! We’ve been partners for almost six years now, competing in pleasure, and just started pursuing dressage this year! She’s my absolute dream pony, the best I could’ve ever asked for! We are planning to compete in western and classical dressage/dressage suitability at the Gypsy Vanner national championships in October! – Grace P.Oliver Twist! – Melissa M.Benlea Winding River (Benny) 12.3 Section B Welsh, now 23. – Rachel C.My 11 year old daughter Evelyn and her 17 year old Welsh Cross Mare, Bella Rose. She has owned Bella for 2 years and they have been the embodiment of the ideal pony/little girl relationship. Bella came from a Hunter background and took Evelyn to the show jumping ring at the .65’s. These girls were working towards .70’s and XC when a ligament tear set them back. They both regrouped, put on a happy face for dressage and have been doing just that! These jumper girls have completely embraced dressage for the last 6 months and have loved every second learning, developing, growing, and heading to National Dressage Pony Cup! The best girls 💕 Mane Vision Photography – Patricia H.I have an ex-reiner quarter horse trained by me (jr-yr) registered with you guys. She is 15hh, so technically not a pony, but still little. – Addison T.My daughter with her pony Honey 🍯 – Philesha C.Meet Malley, she is currently teaching our future dressage rider. Her partner and her are working on intro A & B. – LJ H.-C.Now Playing HU the 14.3 Hanoverian earned me a Bronze Medal in 2025. He is the perfect cherub. We are celebrating 5 years together in July. – Aleigh H.Der Kleine Earl and my amazing trainer Melissa Borror! Not only is he the kindest and most lovable pony, he has been champion of his division at the National Dressage Pony Cup annual show 3 years in a row! 💖 – Jen C.Her first pony. A backyard special. Plain brown. Sold as a 14yo. Found out he is 20+. Absolutely smitten ❤️ She named him Whiskey Business because we live in Woodford County, KY and she liked that it was a bit of a joke – Amanda B.My fun pocket rocket, CGF Ruella registered ISR sired by Ridley out of MKK Worth the Wait, bred by me! – Megan C.WHF Rhodesian Sky +/ 4th level Half Arabian mare. Super quiet and fancy – we love this mare. Now in foal to Ribaldi. Winslow Photography – Jess H.This is India she’s 27 now and mostly retired but she did fourth level back in her day 💁♀️ – Merideth H.Salvandi Classic Design, British Riding Pony. Best boy ever 💕 He was bred for the Hunter ring, but transitioned over to dressage. We lost him in 2021 due to colic at the age of 21. He was so loved 🥰 – Michelle C.This is my mare Bubbling Champagne (Firefly). I absolutely love her and she absolutely loves stud muffins and apples straight from the trees. She’s 13.2hh and 9 years old and I’m 23 and 5’3. We have been doing dressage for three years now, and I’m so proud of her. Our goal is to see how far we can get in the sport, but only so long as she is truly enjoying herself. We also trail ride and do trick training and bridleless. She also loves to jump. – Abigail B.Bear Creek’s Kirby, a.k.a. Lars! Lars successfully made his training level debut this spring. His sensible, brave personality makes every ride fun, whether we’re schooling at home, riding in a lesson or clinic, or entering the show ring. He always gives his best and keeps me smiling. He is an incredible partner to learn with. 💙 Q2 Photography – Taylor P.Nights in the Desert aka “Abu”, my 4y/o, 13.3hh BLM Mustang mare! I started Abu under saddle end of September but, even with her limited time under saddle, she recently scored a 72.3% at Training Level! She has shown to be quite promising in the dressage ring. – Sloan A.My daughter (😎 and Glen Willow Goliath, a 6 year old Kerry Bog Pony who just competed in their first off-lead show! We just started him in December and he has been the absolute dream boy! Sweet, smart, easy going, and beautiful to boot 🥰 Truly hit the jackpot with him! – Elise M.My polka-dotted pint-sized spots, Lottie, is a 14 year old magical creature who makes my soul sing. While I do enjoy dressage with her, my favorite time is being behind her ears alone in the forest. Artistic Equine Studios photo – Joy G.Kit Kat is a 13.1 grade pony ridden by Lillian Smith. They’ve been to USDF Regionals together and Lilly has achieved her Bronze Medal scores for First Level. They are working toward their Second and Third Level goals. – Amanda S.All That Sass aka “Stella” is a Welsh Thoroughbred cross blue roan pony standing at 14.1hh. Her life prior to me saw her primarily as a broodmare for 15 years having multiple foals. After purchasing her in 2024, we worked to attend the ISR/Oldenburg NA mare performance test where she achieved her acceptance into the ISR pony mare book in 2025 scoring a 9 for her jump form in the jump chute phase. She continues to be the absolute best pony I’ve ever worked with. She goes from showing off her flashy moves to teaching my youngest daughter the ropes. She’s worth her weight in gold 🦄👑 Stacy Lynne Photography – Erin G.PF Sonja and myself (who is 5’8). Sonja has her USEF pony card but shows against the big guys!! She’s the unicorn pony ❤️ Susan J. Stickle Photography – Tricia A.RWC ATREYU, owned by Claire Philpott, is an 11 year old Section D Welsh Cob….. Trey is an amazingly willing hard worker who rides like a big warmblood… he is showing I-1 this summer and schooling towards the Grand Prix … as his trainer, I can tell you that Trey is a joy to be around and a dream pony for ME! I am thrilled to be on this journey with Claire and Trey.. he is a fabulous stallion!!! – Tracy R.Castleberrys ReFflection 13.3h 15 year old Welsh Cob stallion now working toward our Third Level scores for our Bronze Medal. Tara Jelenic Photography – Nicole V.BDF Obelisk went as far as Third 3 back in the day. – Beth B.FMF Rivoire ❤️ John Borys Photography – Stephanie F.
