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When Grace Livingston tried a four-year-old pony named Shadey Hills Golden Cloud when she was 13, she didn't expect to see herself competing against some of the best pony-and-rider combinations in the U.S. four years later at the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling. “We didn't know anything about him,” Livingston said of her 2018 Connemara gelding (Windy Isles Get Smart x The Contessa). “I was not at the level where I should have been riding

It takes a certain type of pony to help regain lost confidence, and for Nora Petrey, Mr. Freckles did just that. This former eventing pony brought his little girl from the cross rails all the way to the Regular Pony division in less than a year. The pair is now attending the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling for the first time in the Medium Green Pony Hunter division. Owned by Fox Ridge Farm, the 2009 Pony of the Americas gelding (Plaudits Snowman TE x Special N Often) once

Six years ago, Clara and Annika Beck from Tionesta, Pa., weren’t shopping for a show pony. In fact, they were hoping to avoid noticing one, especially while life at home was anything but easy. Their story begins the day an unexpected need brought a Fjord into their world. “It’s not like we were looking for a project,” Annika said. Annika and Pancake competing at the 2026 USEF/World Wide Technology Pony Jumper National Championships (©US Equestrian) The pony, now

For Sophia Goetz, a 17-year-old from Windsor, Colo., the path to being in the saddle began at age six and took shape with her first lesson horse at nine. It was a green start which quickly turned into an all-consuming passion. Sophia and Mickie (Photo courtesy of the Goetz family) "They keep you honest," Goetz said of horses. "You can't fake your way through a run, and you can't force that kind of raw power." Goetz's early years in the sport were shaped by a small,

Some horses make an impression because of what they accomplish in the arena. Others leave an impression because of who they are when they walk back through the barn aisle. For Katie Nayak (Tucson, Ariz.), her partner is special because he is both. Technically, Nayak’s horse is named Iniesto, a 2013 Andalusian gelding (Dimarts x Euro V), owned by Pamela Farthing. But that name is rarely used. Katie Nayak and Iniesto (©Teri Miller, Courtesy of the Nayak family) “I call him

Kim Stevenson describes herself as a “horse crazy girl,” having been obsessed with them from an early age. Every Christmas, her favorite present was a renewed subscription to the Arabian Horse World magazine. She would tear out pages and cover her bedroom with photos of her favorite horses. Stevenson (left) and one of her sisters (right) | Photo provided by Kim Stevenson “Most girls my age had posters on their wall of popular music artists or celebrities on their

Jacqueline Schatzberg has been immersed in the horse industry for as long as she can remember. As the daughter of top show photographers, Howard and Megan Schatzberg, horses have always been a central part of her life. Growing up ringside and behind the scenes at horse shows, it was only natural she would find her own place in the sport. Today, she is an active competitor within the Arabian, Morgan, Hackney, and Saddlebred communities, balancing a busy show schedule with a growing list of

Kelly Kraegel grew up in Southern California with little connection to horses, her only exposure coming from a neighborhood pony ride that came through for photos. Today, she is a respected trainer and owner of Cottonwood Creek Ranch in Oklahoma City, instructing future horse lovers with a focus on Morgans and American Saddlebreds. Back to the Beginning For her seventh birthday, Kraegel received riding lessons at a local ranch, an experience that would ultimately shape her future career.

From the moment she could talk, Savanna McMichael had one request for anyone who would listen: a real pony. Not a stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear, a real one. Now at 17, the O'Fallon, Missouri, junior hunter rider has turned the early obsession into a decorated competitive career, a Division I college commitment, and a partnership with one very special horse named Latido. A Childhood Dream Becomes Reality Savanna's love of horses was apparent almost from birth. By age three, she was

What started as a way to introduce more people to the Arabian horse has grown into a nationwide program, with over 250 farms across the United States and Canada opening their barn doors to anyone interested in learning more about horses. Photo provided by AHA The Arabian Horse Association’s Discovery Farms program offers a free opportunity for individuals and families to meet Arabian horses up close and learn about the breed in a welcoming, relaxed environment. The program allows

Lafitte De Muze partnered with trainer Amanda Steege and owner Cheryl Olsten in the fall of 2017, arriving in the United States as a six-year-old. Now, entering their ninth year together, Steege and Lafitte returned to the Dixon Oval to defend their place as one of the most accomplished and recognizable hunter partnerships in the sport. Early Success Photo provided by Steege In 2017, Steege received a video from Gerd Schonebeck of a powerful Belgian Warmblood he had for sale in Germany.

Nabisco and Elise Iafrate | ©US Equestrian Founded in 1896 in Devon, Pa., the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair began as a one-day event featuring approximately thirty classes. Now, 130 years later, it stands as the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed show in North America. Taking place May 20 – 31, 2026, this historic event draws equestrians from across the country, as well as local fans, for 12 days of world-class competition, exhibitions, and cherished traditions. Designated a