Quidley Kellermann grew up in Texas, finished high school a year early, and hasn't looked back since. For the last four seasons she has been based in England working for Kevin McNabb, soaking up life around Australians and Brits alike. But wherever home is these days, she has a horse she's built from the ground up, and that's what matters most right now.
Meet Poncho
Blakeneys Cruise, a 2017 Irish Sport Horse gelding (FSS Correlli Bravo x Caoimhes Cruising), who is known affectionately as "Poncho” at home, came into Kellermann's life as a green five-year-old. She wasn't necessarily looking for something that young, but when she first caught eye of him, that was that. "I kind of came across him and I just kind of decided he was the one," she said. "Seemed like a good project for me but not necessarily the easiest one."
As for what he's like to be around? "He definitely loves his people. He's a bit funny that way." Strangers get a cautious look, but with his own people he's as easy as they come. "Super easy, super friendly, very food motivated. He’s happy to do whatever. He is one of the easiest horses to have in the yard now." Oh, and the food thing? It's serious for Poncho. Watermelon, bananas, anything really. "He sees food and runs to it."
Building Something Special
Their journey started in the U.S., where they claimed the 2022 USEA Junior Novice Championship at the USEA AEC and moved up to the Preliminary level within the following year. When Kellermann relocated to the UK in 2023, she set her sights on qualifying Poncho for the six-year-old FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships CCI2* at Mondial du Lion (FRA). Not only did they qualify, but they finished in the top 20 — with Kellermann being the youngest rider in the field. They went back to Mondial du Lion in 2024 for the CCI3* Championship for seven-year-olds and stepped up to CCI4* in 2025.
It was at Blenheim last year where Kellermann really felt him come into his own. "We never saw him as a super competitive upper-level horse, but he tries super hard [for me]. We've kind of got to the point where he's actually quite competitive." For a horse who at home looks every inch like a typical cheeky yard pony, he has a boldness that shows up exactly when needed. "You'd never think he runs four-stars — bit of a pony, you know."
What's Next
Heading into the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Great Britain in Bicton, the goal is straightforward. "Obtaining a low enough dressage score and trying to basically finish on that," Kellermann explained. A productive winter and a UK team training session in February where work with Leslie Law, U.S. Eventing Chef d'Equipe and High-Performance Manager, on suppleness through the turns made a real difference, has the pair feeling ready. As part of U.S. Eventing's European Tour, Kellermann and Poncho head into Bicton representing the red, white, and blue, and she knows exactly what she wants from the weekend. "He's pretty good in big atmosphere, so I'd say [our dressage score is] probably the main goal."
As for the rest of the season, Kellermann has the FEI Eventing World Championship for U25 in Millstreet, Ireland firmly in her sights. On top of that, she's aiming to get Poncho qualified and ready to compete at five-star level this year, with both Pau and Burghley on their radar. For a horse who started out as a quirky young project and is now turning heads at the four-star level, the trajectory speaks for itself. "He tries super hard, and he's always given loads," Kellermann says, and honestly, the same could be said of her. From a novice championship in Montana to five-star ambitions in Europe, the pair has built a solid, lasting partnership through the years. For Poncho, watermelon, bananas and all, he looks every bit ready for what comes next.