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 Karen Scarpete
When my daughter Dominique was just four years old, we bought her a three-year-old pony, named Cupcake. A crazy move for a parent, right? She wasn’t even ready to ride her! But I knew that if I waited until she was ready for a pony, we’d be scrambling to find the right one…and would probably have to mortgage the house to afford it!
So instead, we took a chance on a young German Riding Pony (a half-Arabian/half-Welsh). We purchased her as a project pony with all the talent and potential to become a wonderful dressage mount.
At the time, Dominique was already showing a real talent for dressage on her 42-inch Shetland pony, competing in schooling shows and Pony Club. She absolutely loved dressage, but there was one big problem – there were no dressage trainers in our area.
To give her the opportunity to pursue her passion, we found trainer Amber Seltzer, in Redding, California. We committed to driving an hour and 15 minutes each way for lessons. We made that trip twice a week because Dominique was determined to learn and compete.
All that hard work paid off when, in her very first year of recognized competition, Dominique won the 2023 California Dressage Society (CDS) Junior/Young Rider Finals Intro Level 13 & Under at the CDS Northern Junior/Young Rider Championships, and qualified for the USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & Under at the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championship. She was only eight years old!
Unfortunately, after that incredible first year, her trainer Amber moved away. We spent the next year struggling without a dressage trainer and trying to keep moving forward on our own.
The following year, we found trainer Josh Albrecht in Oroville, nearly an hour and 20 minutes from our home. Once again, we committed to the drive, traveling there two to three times a week for lessons and training.
That dedication paid off in a big way.
Dominique and her pony Cupcake (Evans Pretty Baby) earned Reserve Champion in the CDS Junior/Young Rider Training Level 14-and-Under Final at the CDS Northern Junior/Young Rider Championships. At the 2025 Great American/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships and CDS Championship Show they were crowned the CDS Junior/Young Rider 13-and-Under Dressage Seat Equitation Challenge winner and Reserve Champion in the USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final 13-and-Under
In 2026, moving up to First Level has brought its share of challenges, as every new level does. Despite those obstacles, the pair has continued to excel. One of their highlights this season was earning an outstanding 80% score in Dressage Seat Equitation in July!
Watching Dominique grow from a little girl riding a 42-inch Shetland pony into a competitive young dressage rider on a 13.1-hand (and a half- inch) pony has been an incredible journey. Her success has come from years of hard work, determination, long drives, and countless hours in the saddle. We are so proud of everything she and her pony have accomplished, and are excited to see what the future holds.
