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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

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.

The FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships, presented by USDF, is considered one of the most exciting weeks of the year for many young athletes, but for Region 6 Young Rider Olivia Martz, it has also become a week of remembrance and celebration for a different reason. Olivia and Rihanna at the 2025 NAYC (Photo courtesy of the Martz family) Born into a horsey family, Martz was surrounded by horses the moment she opened her eyes, and she learned to walk at NAYC while her mother was

Emmeline Adamick has her eyes set on stepping onto the podium as a winner at this year's Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) presented by USHJA. Set to take place at Traverse City Horse Shows’ Flintfields Horse Park, Adamick shares what makes this event so special to her and fellow competitors alike. Serving as the only FEI-recognized youth championship in North America, NAYC gives young and aspiring athletes an opportunity to compete in a format similar to

Three and a half months ago, Vee Stavroula Dravilas didn't know she'd be heading to NAYC aboard her trainer, Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn's, Grand Prix mare, Wilona HSR. She didn't even know the mare would be her ride at all for the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships presented by USDF . Getting there meant working through a disappointment first. Dravilas aboard Wilona HSR at the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships presented by USDF (©US Equestrian) In late

With multiple podium finishes at Capital Challenge, Pennsylvania National, Devon, WIHS, and USEF Pony Finals, Cisy Zhou is well known amongst pony competitors. However, in the past year, the 11-year-old rider from New York, N.Y. has expressed her growing interest in the jumper ring and will be one to watch out for. In the saddle since she was 3, Zhou has taken to riding as fish takes to water, and now finds herself excelling in the hunters, equitation, and jumpers. Attending the Gotham

Like many young athletes, Ayers can speak to the magnitude this championship has had not only on herself, but others as well. “The thing about NAYC is that I’ve made so many friends and getting to show somewhere different is amazing,” she said. “I'm so excited; you really can’t top the team experience; I really do love it.” Last year, Ayers assisted the Zone 4 winning team to gold and finished seventh in the individual competition in a division

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

Prost is German for “cheers,” but if you ask some, it is used as a more meaningful way to signify gratitude and friendship, and to Sadie Severson, the name Prost means exactly that. Growing up, her love of horses stemmed from the frequent trail rides she had while spending time at her grandparents’ small farm in the “Hawkeye State” of Iowa. It took a bit of convincing to visit the local western barn near her family's home, and at the age of 11, her parents

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

Stella Fryer was in the right place at the right time when Rock Hill walked into her life. “Rocky,” who was previously ridden by another junior in her barn, was up for sale, which presented Fryer with the opportunity of a lifetime. Having never ridden him before, she took to the derby field at Sonoma Horse Park in Petaluma, Calif., for their first outing and returned home winner of the modified Hunt-and-Go Derby. With it being the middle of the show season, Fryer decided to lease