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 four-year-olds, but he was perfect. He didn't have a lead change, and he wasn't the greatest mover, but we knew we had to have him.”
Growing up with a mother who rode off and on throughout her life, Livingston’s love for horses has been engrained in her since she was little. With her mother recently returning to the saddle, and the pair now riding side by side, Livingston has gained a new perspective of the sport she is able to share with family.
“Being able to watch my mom ride is really special, and I think it’s grown my love for this sport even more. I get to watch her experience horses the same way I did when I was little.”
Shadey Hills Golden Cloud, now eight, has become an important part of Livingston’s life and she considers him to be like a “child.” Growing up together has taught her a lot about horsemanship and his loveable personality, even when he tries to sneak under his stall guard or eat popsicles in one bite, stick included. With a lot of love and care, “Parker” has grown into a kind pony with a huge heart and the best attitude.
Their progress as a partnership didn’t happen overnight, but over the years, the pair have slowly worked their way up to the Large Green Pony Hunter division. With a bit of patience and the support of her trainers Mike Rosser and McKenzie Clayton at Reynard’s Ridge and Robin Greenwood, Livingston qualified Parker for Pony Finals this year.
“He has been the best pony in the world. He took me around even when I didn't know anything, and he's really taught me so much,” Livingston shared. “He taught me how to develop a pony and how to teach a horse how to execute lead changes. He’s a great jumper and his personality is so agreeable.”
Though she hoped to attend the 2025 edition of the USEF Pony Finals, Livingston ultimately decided to put her dream on hold and put Parker’s progress under saddle first. The pair took six months off from showing to focus on re-establishing the basics. Upon their return to the show ring, Livingston and Parker were feeling more prepared than ever and ready to enter the Rolex Stadium with confidence.
“I did have a lot of preparation. I kept it very relaxed, only doing two lessons a week, and a lot of hacking. Coming into the week, I felt good; he's so calm and relaxed,” she said.
Livingston was nervous about attending Pony Finals for the first time, but with multiple years of showing at other show venues, she adopted a new mindset coming into the week.
“I came here to have fun. I get anxious sometimes when I'm at a show, but I think Pony Finals is just a great opportunity to show your pony off and have a good time,” she said.
“The best part about Pony Finals is that it’s a good first opportunity for kids. I'm older than most kids here and I've shown in big classes before, but I feel that if I were in their shoes, this would be a great way to prepare for my first derby,” Livingston the 17-year-old explained. “During the course walk, you get to wear your shadbelly, and the model class teaches you a lot about how to take care of your pony, and what you want to look for in their conformation.”
When asked what piece of advice she would give younger athletes and Pony Finals first timers, Livingston made it clear that while the competition is a great way to prepare riders for the future, it’s also a place to enjoy yourself and have fun with your pony.
“It’s not just a competition, it's an experience,” she said. “You're here to have fun, and I think that it helps everyone become better athletes if they’re enjoying what they do.”