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 Sarah Stinneford; Photos by Winslow Photography
In 2017, I was looking for a horse to earn my USDF Bronze Medal on. I had to retire my mare early due to soundness issues, and I had tried a couple of traditional warmbloods. Unfortunately, some issues found during vettings extended my search for about six months.
I wrote an “In Search Of” ad and posted it on Facebook, and Sara Schmitt responded with Hank’s information. He wasn’t even in the US yet (she was importing him from Holland), but I made an appointment to see him at her barn for just a few days after his release from quarantine. He was small, narrow, and only three years old, but as soon as I swung my leg over him, I knew I had to have him!
Our journey over the last nine years has not been easy, but I do think all the lessons we learned together along the way have been worth it.
As a three- and four-year-old, Hank and I clicked instantly, and were doing really well together. But, as a five-year-old, Hank went through a very spooky and reactive phase, and he dumped me quite a few times. As a result, I lost a lot of my confidence and considered selling him.
I sent Hank to Holly Payne for three months of training in Aiken. I had every intention of selling him, but after only one month down there, he was looking so much better. After talking with Holly, we agreed to take him off the market, and I would keep him.
Hank spent the rest of his time in Aiken jumping cross-country jumps and going to jumper shows, which I do think helped build his confidence. I am forever grateful to Holly and her team for helping me get over that training hump with Hank!
After bringing Hank back home, I was able to apply some different training techniques and tools from Holly, and Hank and I became a much better team. To this day, Hank is still a pretty spooky horse (mostly at home), but it doesn’t bother me anymore. At shows, Hank really steps up and is actually much easier to ride, surprisingly!
Once we started showing seriously, earning my USDF Bronze and Silver Medals came relatively quickly – once Hank and I understood how to do tempi changes! The Gold Medal was obviously the hardest, though.
On top of the test just being hard, it was a really big challenge for me to wrap my head around doing the Grand Prix. I have a lot of imposter syndrome when it comes to showing, because there are some really phenomenal trainers and horses in our area. Moving up to the Grand Prix on a pony felt strange and like we were out of place, but I am lucky enough to have Heather Mason as a trainer. She helped me push through, even when I didn’t think I could do it. Honestly, without her guidance, I know that Hank and I would not have accomplished anything close to what we have today (thanks, Heather!)
As fun as it is to learn things at the same time as your horse, I think a lot of horses could get frustrated if they don’t understand what you are asking them to do. Hank is really special in this respect; he always tried for me even when I had no idea what I was doing, or what I was trying to feel, a trait which I am so grateful for.
Hank has also taught me a lot about really listening to your horse. Doing the FEI levels, and Grand Prix in particular, is no easy task for any horse, but especially non-traditional guys. It takes a village to keep Hank feeling his best. Listening to our horses is imperative, and having the right team behind you, from trainers, vets, and farriers, to saddle fitters and bodyworkers, is so incredibly important.
Hank and I have accomplished so much together that it’s really hard to pick just one “greatest accomplishment.” The little New Forest Pony I bought to fulfill my dreams of a USDF Bronze Medal has helped me to earn my USDF Bronze and Silver Medals with Distinction, my USDF Gold Medal, and my USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Freestyle Bars, along with my USDF Diamond Achievement award!
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that we would get to do all that together, but I am forever grateful for how hard Hank tries for me.
Outside of riding and competing, I think my favorite thing to do with Hank is to just spend time with him in the barn. Sunday mornings are usually pretty quiet at my farm, so it’s really nice to be able to get out there early and take time grooming him, and spending quality time together.
I think riding and training non-traditional dressage horses, like Hank, has helped me think outside the box when it comes to training other horses in my barn. The horse that may not have the biggest gaits can still score well with correct and patient training. Having a horse like Hank, who may not be the fanciest horse at the show, but is pretty reliable, has helped me move up the levels successfully and confidently. I think it’s incredibly important to make sure that you have the appropriate horse for where you are now in your training, and then get the bigger, fancier horses as you learn more, rather than being overhorsed and risk losing your confidence.
If I had to give one piece of advice to someone looking for a new partner, it would be: Buy the pony or small horse! Not all of us have dreams of going to the Olympics, or being shortlisted for Team USA. If you are looking to have fun, while learning and showing, I would always encourage someone to buy the horse that is appropriate for what your goals are – because they may surprise you, and take you places you never even imagined were possible!
