Submitted by Lauren Bish: My daughter's 7 year old 13.3 hand grade pony we bought from an auction at 2 years old for $650. She is 12, and has worked with him since we bought him. He's 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 work with the vet he's 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. Get Your Hans off and Piper ❤️
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.
Ffrewyn Iconic (aka Nicky) 4 yr old Welch cob stallion. Champion for usdf breed show at dressage at Devon for 3 yr old colts and geldings ponies. Showing to be quite promising in the dressage show ring. Susan J Stickle Photography – Wendy G.Hello, I’d like to share my heart pony Bubba – Mr. Boombastic. We are spending the summer with Lendon Gray and D4K in the SIT program and learn so much. Bubba is a super pony learning so much dressage and getting better every day. He’s the coolest Norwegian Fjord who wins the hearts of everyone he meets! He also does eventing and breaks down stereotypes that ponies like him can’t physically do this type of work. Bubba is my superstar! This is him at D4K recently! – Sofia T.How it started vs How it’s going: Haflinger edition!👑 Bought my guy a few years back for $900 as an untouched 4-year-old (top pic is his first ride!). We were both total beginners to dressage, but with a phenomenal coach, we’ve learned the ropes together. Today, we are officially competing at Second Level. He really is a mighty athlete in a snack-sized package and I am so very proud of him! Cavalli Photography (bottom image) – Arron W. USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted Read about Arron and Maharaj’s adventures in “From Amish Auction Pony to Nationally Ranked Dressage Star“The Chick Magnet an 18 yr old 14.1hh Gypsy placing top 10 at the US Dressage Finals two years in a row, and about to begin his 3rd level debut this year! Colic surgery that led to sepsis which led to laminitis survivor to boot! 🙌🏼 He’s such a fun and good boy and so very loved. 🥰 – Vasiliki H.Avatar’s Jazzman, the very best little Morgan. He’s gotten me through some of the toughest seasons of my life, gnarly ankle fracture rehab and breast cancer. He helped me earn my bronze medal and we are currently showing 4th level and hoping to move up to PSG this summer to complete my silver medal. This best boy is my best friend. – Jen G.Read more about Jen and Avatar’s Jazzman in “And All That Jazz” My Morgan Zeyke, or Broken Roads Ezekiel, isn’t the easiest guy to ride with how sensitive and smart he is but boy has he taught my 10 year old SO many things! With all of the skill, grit and patience he has taught her, once they master the dressage world together, the sky will be the limit for her with her talent and horsewomanship! – AJ M.“Docs Got A Rueger” 15yo 14 hand AQHA successfully competing at PSG and plans to keep going! – Gabi K.Maverick (LSH Top Gun) was featured as a “heavy hitter” a few months back, but (not officially) could still qualify as an FEI pony! 🥰 – Julie J. Read Maverick and Julie’s story “Exactly What I Needed“My 14.2 Connemara pony Owen! We both started at Intro together, and we are now showing Third Level. We just earned our first third level score towards our bronze medal, at our first show at the level this month! – Justine W.Read about Justine and Owen’s journey in “A Partnership Worth the Miles“12 year old Orchid’s Tamino is a New Forest Pony (ended oversized at 14.3) currently competing at the Grand Prix level! I have owned him since he was 3 🥰 Winslow Photography – Sarah S. Read Sarah and Orchid’s Tamino’s story “Good Things Come In Small Packages“Meet KR Smart N’ Fancy, my 16-year-old cutting Quarter Pony who came to me last year for a midlife career change. After years in the cutting pen, she’s now learning the art of dressage. We’re having an absolute blast together, and she’s embracing her new job with enthusiasm… although she’s still a little confused about why there aren’t any cows involved. 😆🐄 – Alysia S.This one truly embodies the qualities of the Year of the Red Fire Horse 🔥 Meet Roxie…our 14 year old Welsh cross mare, shown here with my daughter. This pair has come so far in the 4 years of their partnership…developed from a foundation of trust, courage, and determination. PGriffin Photography – Kim S.Tator Chip aka Chip has fulfilled so many dreams between my daughter Hannah Tabor eventing and stepping down to teaching me down center line winning Training 3 at the National Dressage Pony Cup Championship and highest score. He is a rescue pony but he knows he is loved in every way and he gives all of his heart ❤️ Winslow Photography – Holly Z.-T.Windy Hollow Lilia ~ 30 (yes, really!) year old Connemara mare, owned by Katherine Short and ridden by Ella Graham. Lil was the 2025 American Connemara Pony Society Pony of the Year & continues to show that Connemara’s Do It All! – Lisa G.Pippin, 14 hand, 8 year old quarter pony I bought for my son who soon after decided to stop riding. He didn’t want to be a lesson pony so I took over the ride and now we’re doing dressage and beginner novice eventing – Madelyn J.Pippin jumping cross country at beginner novice Lisa Michelle Dean Photography – Madelyn J.Strawberry Blonde aka Barbie, a 7 year old welsh cross pony making their debut in dressage with my 11 year old niece! AGreenis Photography – Alexa F.Our 5 year old Section C Welsh Pony of Cob Type Stallion *Cwmtawe Royal Command doing 1-3 with ease. This handsome boy won USDF Reserve Champion 4 year old Prospects last year. He is trained and Ridden by Kylee McKereghan and owned by SpringSong Welsh Cobs Megan Zapel Photography – Heather M. Read about *Cwmtawe Royal Command’s journey to the US in “From Wales To America With Love“TR The Locksmith, our 5 year old Gypsy Cob Stallion, made his wonderful Dressage Debut at First Level! Shown by Abigail Engel Photo by Kira Marie Stacy S.My Pony and I at a recent show. We have been a pair for almost 10 years now! He is registered with USDF as Bucknaked! From Hunters, to Eventing, to Dressage we’ve done a lot together and we enjoy teaching new riders on the side! – Mikaela S.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 ⬆️. – Amy R.Chip 🩵 My heart horse is the best thing that has happened to me. He is an 18 year old paint/quarter horse. Dressage is his passion and his 2nd career. He has a heart of gold to match his color and turns heads wherever he goes! I am so proud of this little boy and what we have taught each other these last 2 years! From barely getting through a training level test at the start of 2024 to competing at dressage finals 2024 and pony cup 2025 and now showing second level this boy loves his job and gives it his all. Riding and training him myself has been an experience like no other. Through all the ups and downs he’s stayed by my side and carried me through many rides and protected me. He truly is one of a kind in looks and personality. – Sarah J.Comet Tail (barn name Guin), an 8 yo Canadian Sports Pony mare (Connemara/GRP), one of my best barn friends and I are both large animal internists at Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine and we both ride buckskins…since Purdue’s colors are black and gold we *had* to do a Pas de Deux to marching band music. Her poor 16.0 hh Frisian/QH had to hustle to keep up with my 14.0 hh speed demon. We couldn’t work out how get us both pointed in the same direction for our final halt so I had to do a round-the-world on the most tolerant pony! – Emma S.Parker, a 10 year old 13.2 hand Welsh/Fjord Cross Gelding is a beautiful Grulla color. He might be small but he can handle carrying an adult quite well. SDH Photography – Helen H.My handsome man, Ianto (Section D Welsh Cob) who constantly continues to make me a better rider owner and human 🥰 Winslow Photography – Beth N. Read about Beth and Ianto in “Ianto: My Gift From God“Overeasy AKA “Egg” has his own fan club locally! He’s a 14 hand grade Haflinger I bought for $1000 when he failed out of a lesson program for bucking kids off. He was definitely the definition of “has talent needs direction”. He has competed to 3rd level in dressage and Novice level eventing, and now has come full circle and teaching beginners while still killing it in the dressage ring 💕 Meghan Benge Photography – Natasha A.
