14.1 hand, 17 year old Morab cross “Sienna” is Sidelines Magazine’s official “Perfect Pony”. Owner Tatreanna Schofield nominated Sienna because “She is very sweet and will follow everyone around and come to her name. She is just so gentle, I can do anything on her like slide off her butt or even jump off. I can sit on her backwards and she will walk. Sienna and I have a great bond. I have ridden her without a bridle, and when she’s out in paster I can just go lie on her back for hours. She’s the type of pony that just captures your heart and you can’t let go. She’s my best friend and I couldn’t even think about selling her or seeing her in a new home. She is the ‘perfect pony’.”

Audrey Norrell has a special bond with her pony Simba, a 13-year-old Arabian/QH cross: “The exact moment I tangled his mane between my fingers I knew I was in love. Simba is the same age as I am so we grew up together. As educated as he was, he only packed me around the arena to a certain point and now that I look back, thank goodness he did! By only letting me get away with very little things he made me work to become the rider I wanted to be. He taught me more than I will probably ever know about riding, more than I can appreciate at least.

Alex Sinclair is from Woodside, California, and 12 year old Hailey gave her the confidence to keep riding. “After Hailey came into my life, I became a confident and disciplined rider. She was not an expensive pony, but, she is safe and loving. Hailey and I started out together a year ago and she and I were lucky enough to attend HITS Thermal this year with my barn. . Hailey is not a pricey pony, but, sometimes money can't buy perfection. At Thermal, Hailey never won a thing under saddle because they knew she wasn't from the big leagues: but, when it came to Short Stirrup Equitation, she and I were like two peas in a pod; like peanut butter and jelly. We came home Mid-Circuit Champion. Hailey is my best friend.”

4th place Peaches and Kylie Locklear “I have owned Peaches for 2 1/2 years, and take care of her myself. One of my favorite things about Peaches is that she knows when something's wrong. Peaches has helped me though some hard losses, she is always ready to play and loves to learn new things. She is the type of pony that you could look back on and think about how much she has improved you. I have learned natural horsemanship, but not from anyone but Peaches. She has made me a better rider and person. She is what keeps me motivated, and I love her. She is also gorgeous, but I would love her even if she weren't. She is the best pony that has ever been in my life and will always be.”

Trainer Erin Swaney, from Wellington, FL tells why Jelly is the perfect pony for 8 year-old Mia “We have the perfect pony because jelly was just started under saddle little over 1 year ago. She just started riding the pony and after 2 weeks they went to their 1st dressage show. Mia took the pony all by herself and entered (and remembered) her dressage test by heart with out anyone reading it to her. The pony really could have been a handful but she is a saint and rode the test as if she had been doing it for years! What a PERFECT PONY!!” Featured in the picture is Aldofo Cambiaso his wife Maria Cambiaso, and also Crab Orchard patron Gorge and Beverly Rawlings with the gang to support Mia and Jelly.”

“Brandi is my perfect pony, shes a 12 year old morgan mix. She current lives at our house. She's my best friend, she was a rescue and was abused. She gives 1000% every time and trys her heart out to be perfect. I took her to new places all last year and she was amazing, she really knows how to take care of her rider. She brought all my confidence back after it was all shattered from a previous horse. She is the best birthday gift any kid could ever ask for. This pony is truly perfect and i thank her everyday.”

Simba, a 13 year old Welsh cross gelding, brought his two riders up from walk/trot to the pony hunters. But when disaster struck, Simba’s family was there for him, explains Jennifer Godwin Peppler: “Unfortunately, Simba was stricken with a very rare cancer, Hemangiosarcoma, in January of this year. He has endured over 3 months of hospitalization, extensive (12) radiation treatments, a staph infection, and over-processing from the radiation. It has destroyed his cervical spine and now he has limited movement in his hind end. Our goal to go to Pony Finals quickly came to a halt, and we had to pray for a new goal...to be able to survive. Finally, after several tearful and apprehensive months, it appears we will be able to provide this wonderful pony with an early retirement. Sometimes goals change, but in the big picture, the successes and good times are measured over the course of time, not just one show. Sound or not, he is TRULY our pony of a lifetime, and our lives have been enriched so much by having him be such a special part of our family.”