Taking center stage the moment they enter the sandbox is Juliana Sardelli and her own black and white pinto pony, Cupid.
Known for his goofy personality and love for food, this 2017 Gypsy Cross gelding (Lazarus of Feathered Gold x Turning Point Sateen) is one everyone falls in love with, including his pasture mates. “He has an incredible personality and can help you do pretty much anything you set your mind to. He is so sweet and cuddly, and I love how willing he is,” said Sardelli.
“If he was a pop star, he would definitely be Bruno Mars. He is very silly, lighthearted, and I know he would have fun up on stage and write a killer love song,” Sardelli laughed.
With a mother who grew up on a farm and dabbled in dressage herself, Sardelli has always had horses in her life and has been glued to the saddle since she was five. Originally, she took lessons at a hunter/jumper barn, and it wasn’t until she was 10 that she decided to pursue dressage full time.
“My mom used to do some dressage, which inspired me in the first place, but watching Grand Prix freestyles and these amazing Olympic riders compete was really fascinating,” she exclaimed.
Representing Region 8 in the Children’s division, Sardelli and Cupid are making their great return to the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships, presented by USDF, for the second year in a row.
“It was all new to me last year watching everyone compete, but it's a great experience to be back and get a second shot at everything with a new perspective,” she said. “I’m really excited to be back, see my region and teammates, and hopefully we do well this year.”
Not only did Sardelli experience a new level of competition in 2025, but she learned a great deal out of the saddle. From learning how to ride in a team format to figuring out what it means to be a good team member, Sardelli left NAYC with skills she will surely apply in the future.
“NAYC definitely taught me a lot about sportsmanship. Whether it was watching my teammates ride or helping in the barn, I think it's really important to learn how to work in a group because it teaches you good sportsmanship and how to handle having multiple people on your team,” she said. “I love being on a team. I think it's great to have relationships with the other riders and horses that you're working with and the other and you meet a lot of great people.”
Good sportsmanship wasn’t the only skill Sardelli took from her first NAYC; she now has the confidence she needs to perform her tests well. Knowing what to expect has helped Sardelli prepare herself and Cupid, and this dynamic duo is feeling more ready than ever.
“This time around, I know all my tests like the back of my hand. I've been doing them for multiple years now, so I'm not really worried about the geometry and where I'm going,” she said. “I get to focus on how I can improve myself and my horse rather than trying to remember what I’m supposed to do.”
With new opportunities on the horizon, Sardelli spoke of her interest in moving up to Third Level after she qualified for NAYC, saying, “Hopefully with the help of my trainer and everybody around me, I can compete at Third Level by the end of the season, and get my bronze medal.”
Fueled by her passion to continue growing in the saddle, Sardelli is a true horse girl through and through, and her passion stems from the connections she forms with horses.
“The connection and bond between horses is a very special thing. Whether you're riding, cleaning paddocks and stalls, or taking care of your horse, you form that connection,” she said. “I think that's where my passion for riding comes from, just being at the barn as much as I am and trying to improve my connection with Cupid.”