SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Wednesday, August 28 2019 / Published in General

Course Walk with Heather Caristo

You and some of the ponies you have ridden in the past are still discussed by young riders aspiring to become professional equestrians. What made some of those ponies special?

Throughout my junior years, I was presented with the opportunity to ride many different ponies. I also had the good fortune to be able to ride some true champions and had quite a bit of success in the pony ring. My main ponies were Nilla Wafer in the smalls and Dream Come True in the mediums. There were so many ponies (Silver Spoon, Starlight Express, Dream A Little Dream and many more) that I would catch ride (Pretty In Pink, Giggles, Hillcrest Better Than Blue, Shenandoah’s Sundowner, Millbrook’s Tiny Bubbles, Wait For The Beep). In fact, I may not have done equitation my last junior year, but I’m sure I was still riding some ponies!

Nilla Wafer was my first real taste of success. A breakout year for us was in 1991 when we earned championships at Devon, Harrisburg and The National, as well as leading small pony at Pony Finals. The year culminated with being named Chronicle of the Horse’s Horse of the Year (the only pony to have been named that!). Nilla started out as a catch ride, but recognizing the connection we had, luckily my parents were able to purchase him for me. My first pony, Build A Dream, was an incredible teacher, but Nilla had the moves to be able to win against almost anyone if I rode well. What made Nilla special is that he was a palomino, and not many of those were around at that time. It helped us stand out when we had great rounds, and conversely if I chipped! Oops!

My medium pony, Dream Come True, or Timber, was the whole package, but he was also very young and very green when we first got him. My mother would ride him at home and worked very hard on his rideablity and then would try to have me get on and learn what she was doing. He was the start of teaching me how to work with young ponies. What made him the most special was that we brought him up from the green ponies and a few years later, earned a tie for grand champion at Washington International Horse Show with Liza Towell and Tickled Pink.

He also became so nice to ride that I won the Pony Medal Finals on him! That was probably my fondest memory of my pony career. Knowing that we trained him from such an early age to be able to win a class like that at the Pony Finals was huge! I still have the photo in my house which shows my parents and my sister, Lynn, standing with the cooler and trophy in front of Timber and me.

What makes ponies special?

I think the best thing about ponies can also be considered their most challenging: their attitudes! They are so cute and so small (compared to a normal-sized horse), but they still have to hold their own. They are never to be underestimated just based on their size. I have ridden some ponies that have had horse-sized strides and thought they were a whole lot bigger than they actually were. I’ve ridden some with personalities bigger than the biggest horse I’ve known. I love ponies for their attitudes!

What’s important to keep in mind when working with ponies?

My advice for working with ponies is to be at a barn that works with a lot of them. It’s really a specialty to be able to understand and bring out the best in them every day. If I were to start working with ponies again, I think it would take a period of adjustment. We get used to doing things a certain way with horses, and while they are essentially the same animal, there are underlying nuances to be taken into consideration with ponies. The most important thing is to be around people who are very familiar with ponies on a day-to-day basis and learn from them.

Even though I no longer compete with ponies, they will always hold a special place in my heart. They were the first equines I brought from green to competition level, and have helped paved the way to where I am today. Though I long ago graduated to horses, the lessons my feisty ponies taught me carry on, and help me as I train other young equestrians.

For upcoming riders, young equestrians who are learning on their first, second or even third ponies, I often think back to what I wish I had known when I was their age. With that, my advice is to never give up, bond with your pony, and embrace the lessons your pony teaches you, whether they are easy or difficult. Ponies have a special place in our profession, and being able to really work with one is a rite of passage that is worth the effort and attitude.

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: heather caristo-williams, pony

What you can read next

Silver OakEquestrian Center to Host USEF Recognized Jumper Show
Dog of the day – Negra aka Princess
World Championship Hunter Rider Program Returns to Vermont

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn s It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn set up with a Pyranha SprayMaster Misting System. 
✅Provides whole barn insect control! 
✅Easy to install with basic tools!
✅Electric pump & programmable automatic timer!

Get yours today!
@pyranhalife

#pyranhalife #madeintheusa #pyranha #equestrian #horselife #horselifestyle #barncare
Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • All Natural GumBits - Gain the Advantage
    GumBits - Chewing Gum for horses Activates salivation * All natural ingredients Encourages submission * Eliminates teeth grinding Promotes chewing activity * Safe for competition horses ALL NATURAL GUMBITS www.gumbits.com @gumbitshappy @gumbitshappy

    [Read more]

  • TRIANGLE FARMS HORSE SHOWS
    H/J Rated ‘A’ and ‘C’ Shows Hunt Horse Complex, Raleigh, NC www.trianglefarms.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!