124 SIDELINES JANUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Popeye and Jocelyn Wiese, who rode and competed the pony
stallion through second level for two years at Hilltop Farm: “He
doesn’t feel like a pony,” she said. “He’s a wonderful dressage
pony. I was really excited to see he’s eventing. He looks as if
he’s having fun. I am a major fan and I would love to have a
Popeye baby someday. I have a secret list of Popeye baby
names.”
Photo by Hilltop Farm
an interesting mix of pony breeders and also horse breeders
looking for 14.3h to 15.3h sport horses. The horse qualities
Popeye has have served him well.”
Natalie credits Hilltop’s owner, Jane MacElree, for her
contributions to breeding in the U.S. and also for how Hilltop has
evolved. “This is a good environment, fabulous for horses,” Natalie
said. “We’re allowed flexibility to challenge ourselves and to raise
the bar by what can we bring new to the industry. Like bringing in
a pony stallion.”
Ilona will be the first to agree with that. So will satisfied mare
owners who keep returning to Popeye. The fact that the German
Riding Pony more than held his own shown in hand and under
saddle, winning through second level including the East Coast
Pony Cup in 2008 and scoring in the high 60s at third level in
2009, showcases his appeal, movement, athleticism and persona.
From Dressage To Eventing
Cross-training is high on Ilona’s list to turn horses and ponies
into solid athletes, but also because it’s good for their mental well-
being. So eventing became a topic of conversation when she got
to know Ryan Wood, who worked for several years for Phillip
Dutton at True Prospect Farm where he set up his training and
sales business, Woodstock Eventing.
“Ryan and I just clicked,” Ilona said. “I’m an old-fashioned
horseperson. I want to breed good horses with good minds and
I am so picky about where I send my babies. It’s all about their
minds: if they aren’t happy in their minds, they aren’t going to
be happy in their bodies. My horses are out every day, they’re
handled every day. I believe in trail rides and jumping. Horses
are not potted plants. Popeye is happy. I remember the old
trainers, real horsemen – they put the time in in the saddle. Bert
de Nemethy said no one should be jumping if the horse can’t do
a second level test.”
When Popeye’s petite riders moved away from Hilltop, Ilona
made the decision to send her pony stallion to Ryan. He was
already working with three of her horses and he had a rider for the
pony stallion. “Chris Talley finished school and got the eventing
bug and wanted to take it to the next level – he’s been riding
with me for two years,” Ryan said. “Chris has a homebred pony
and has done a couple of intermediate horse trials. Popeye has
improved Chris’s dressage riding 10-fold.”
Eventing is the “equestrian triathlon” of dressage, cross-country
and show jumping. “Popeye made the transition from dressage to
eventing in one year and was successful at training level,” Ryan
said. “You see him from a distance and he looks like a horse. He
has a beautiful trot and canter, and he’s a fantastic jumper. He’s
going to do a one-star at some point. We’ll take him as far as he
can be successful and show off his versatility and what he can
produce in his get. I would love to campaign a Popeye offspring. If
my horses had the movement and the ability of Popeye, look out!”
The Buzz About Honies
The proof of the pony is in Popeye’s progeny. For most breeders,
selling their good youngsters to the right home and rider is part
of the process. One breeder, who has been in the business for
about 18 years, has used stallions from Hilltop Farm for 15 years
to produce primarily horses. Her testimonial said it all.
“I’m trying to breed an amateur-friendly horse for the 50-year-
old or the smaller woman,” said Stacie Coder of Milestone Equine
Center in Kansas. “I have had my Popeye filly for sale. Pippa
is two now, but I’m close to taking her off the market, because
quite frankly I want to keep her for myself. I have been raising
kids for a decade and Pippa will be my re-introduction back into
dressage. She has an excellent mind, excellent movement and
so much natural self-carriage. She’s exactly what I’m looking for
and, because of Pippa, it will be really fun getting back into riding.
She’s going to be amazing.”
Ponies, small Warmbloods, the brilliant movement of athletic
horses, great suspension and stride, sturdy, athletic, sensible, fun,
versatile, small adult- and young rider-friendly: Popeye stamps his
get with his own potential for greatness. He’s a honey of a hony.
About the writer: Sidelines’ Lauren R. Giannini is an award-winning “wordsmith”
specializing in stories and photos about the equestrian world. Crazy about horses her
entire life, she lives in the horse and hunt country of Virginia. Lauren’s motto is “write,
ride - not necessarily in that order!”
Pippa, by Popeye out of Ostara (HOL), by Caesar (HOL) out of
Delilah (HOL), taken at her inspection in August 2011. Pippa is
owned by Stacie Coder of Milestone Equine Center in Kansas.
Photo courtesy of Stacie Coder/Milestone Equine Center
