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.
By Alysia Shah
My name is Alysia Shah, and I’ve loved riding since I was a kid. I grew up taking lessons at a hunter/jumper barn, but stepped away from horses when I went to college. Four years ago, my passion for riding reignited, and I decided to explore dressage for the first time.
After three years of leasing, I made the leap to purchase my own horse. My trainer and I were looking for something with a good mind, an amateur-friendly temperament, and, ideally, a pony. I’ve always gravitated to ponies, and planned to bring my next horse along in dressage. A friend at the barn suggested I try her fifteen-year-old cutting pony, believing she might be the perfect match.
KR Smart N’ Fancy, or Olive, is a well-bred Quarter Pony who spent the first part of her life as a cutting and penning horse.
From the moment I tried her, something just felt easy. I rode her in a western saddle the first time, which was completely unfamiliar to me, but I trusted her immediately. She was forgiving of my uncertainty, yet still attentive and willing, quietly listening and responding without hesitation.
As much as I appreciated how she felt under saddle, it was our interaction after the ride that stayed with me the most. As I stood giving her scratches, Olive turned and began gently grooming me back. Her owners laughed and said she had never done that before. It was such a small moment, but it stayed with me; it felt like she had already started choosing me, too.
We agreed on a two-week trial, and by the end of it, I was completely in love. Olive was everything I had hoped for in my first horse: intelligent, quick to learn, safe, and adaptable. Whether hacking out, opening gates, or stepping into new work in the arena, she approached everything with curiosity and willingness.
She has continued to surprise me ever since. One of the most rewarding parts of our growth has been watching how much she has changed since we began our partnership. We’ve focused on helping her discover a new way of using her body, and dressage has encouraged her to work more correctly out of her shoulders, develop the strength to carry herself more uphill, and shift more of her weight onto her hindquarters.
As her core and hind-end strength have improved, Olive’s entire way of moving has transformed. The heavier musculature through her shoulders has softened as she has learned to carry herself more efficiently. She now moves with greater balance, freedom, and self-carriage. Seeing her become stronger, more comfortable, and more confident in her own body has been one of the most fulfilling parts of our journey together.
Perhaps what has impressed me most, though, is how naturally Olive has embraced every new challenge along the way. At our first show this season, the warm-up was wet and chaotic, with horses of all sizes schooling around her. But she never once looked twice; she simply went in and did her job without hesitation, unfazed and professional. That steady, unbothered confidence is something she brings into every environment.
What makes Olive special is simply who she is. She is a sassy red mare with opinions of her own, and she is never afraid to express them. Yet beneath that personality is an incredibly kind and intelligent partner who has earned my complete trust. I never expected to fall in love with her personality the way I have.
While she can be stoic and all business at times, she has these quiet moments of connection, nickering when I arrive at the barn, resting her head on my shoulder, or gently lipping at my hands. One of my favorite things about her is the way she checks in with me in small, subtle ways. She has become far more than a horse I ride; she is a partner I truly adore.
Olive’s patience and kindness have given me the confidence to grow as a rider. Because I trust her so deeply, I’ve been able to learn, make mistakes, and continue developing without fear. In return, she has inspired me to become the best partner I can be for her. Our journey has taught me that great horsemanship is not just about what you teach your horse, but about what they quietly teach you in return.
Olive has inspired me to always keep learning and growing so I can become the best partner I can be for her. I don’t expect perfection from either of us; instead, I try to bring the same patience, consistency, and fairness to my riding that she gives to me every day. Our partnership continues to remind me that the best relationships are built through trust, communication, and a willingness to keep learning together.
If there is one thing I would share with other amateur riders, it is not to overlook ponies or horses from different disciplines. Good things really do come in small packages, and often these smaller horses bring incredible brains and kind, willing hearts. They can become some of the most honest and rewarding partners in dressage, especially when you are willing to meet them where they are and build something together.
Olive was not a conventional dressage purchase, but she has taught me that willingness, kindness, and trust matter far more than pedigree or past career. The best partnerships don’t always come from what you expect – they come from connection.
