Jennifer Ioppolo has a unique heritage: Her great-grandfather invented the coin-operated mechanical horse. Today, Jennifer is carrying on that legacy by using the name Electric Pony for her company that combines her passions for both natural cosmetics and horses. Heeding an inner voice that has been calling for a long time, Jennifer has created a growing business producing plant-based products that benefit both horses and riders—and their dogs, for that matter.
How did you become part of the horse world?
I grew up trail riding in the mountains of Colorado on a ranch. I would ride our horses and then also be a rent-a-rider for other horses that needed to be ridden. Some of my favorite horses to ride were Missouri Fox Trotters and Tennessee Walkers who took hunters on pack trips. My mom had a feisty Arabian and riding him taught me how asking for circles helps to re-focus. I remember the feeling of awe when riding a Mustang; I felt how connected he was from the minute I got on. I was also a wrangler for a summer at a children’s camp and took them on trail rides and camping overnight.
When I was 20, I lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a short period where I worked for several dressage barns cleaning stalls. I had never been around warmbloods, especially imported breeds, so it was intriguing to observe them. Occasionally, I would get asked to take some Thoroughbreds and warmbloods out on trails by the river. It was an adventure!
Do you ride now?
Today, I ride around a beautiful farm in Hygiene, Colorado. I’ve recently learned how to play polo at the Denver Polo Club, which is a blast. I train with Tara Polson in Hudson, Colorado, to continue learning how to improve my seat. Tara’s team rides the flags at big rodeo and polo events, she plays polo, trains horses and riders for events and is a judge for the Miss Rodeo Colorado pageant. I love that she’s not stuck in any one discipline. She teaches me to connect and ride. My goals are to just get better at listening to the horse and get better with how my body communicates. I would love to play with cows someday. I’m focused on the horse at this phase in my life.
When did you start your company and what gave you the idea?
I started Electric Pony in the spring of 2022 but did not launch the product until spring 2023. I was grooming my sensitive mare and noticed that she would try to avoid some of the products I used. Also, I didn’t like my hands left tacky and full of synthetic chemicals, so I made a blend of plant oils with essential oils. This blend helped her emotions and my skin—she and I both loved the oils. She smelled incredible days later. My barn friends wanted to try all of my oil blends because they made her smell amazing, and it felt ritualistic.
I started making products for us to test at our barn. We played with the formula several rounds to get it to where it is now. Scaling for larger runs makes it challenging, but if we didn’t try and sometimes fail, we wouldn’t know where to make tweaks. Then, I wanted to honor my great-grandfather’s love of horses and his invention of the coin-operated mechanical horse. I found old articles published that referred to it as the electric pony, and I think that name represents this brand well.
What part does your company play in the horse world?
Electric Pony’s mission is to help horses and humans connect and find calm, together. We know that plants and flowers nurture us on the emotional level and help us express our innermost and external beauty. We’ve heard from a veterinary behavior specialist that the product helped her find calm in a show setting. I love that what I’ve created helps on multiple levels. I love the idea of unifying all disciplines through acknowledging the magnificence of horses.
What’s the best part about having an equestrian company?
Horses. I enjoy the people that honor horses, too. I’ve been more focused on listening to the horse, observing and then helping when they ask for help from us. I learn a lot about myself when I’m around horses. Each horse that I’ve had has taught me something new about how to live my life.
What great things have happened because of your business?
After putting the product out into the big arena I enjoy hearing the positive stories about a horse and human’s best day together. I enjoy seeing pictures that customers send me of beautiful horses. I love that humans honor their horses. I’m finding that people who connect to the brand are reaching out to work together or collaborate—it’s what makes me feel alive. I genuinely appreciate all horses and enjoy hearing about each and every one of them.
What advice would you give women who are planning on starting an equestrian business?
Celebrate with other equestrian business owners and be generous with your ideas, time and money to support others in the industry. We’re all doing the best we can. We can get so focused on our own success that we may miss learning something from another business. I collect so much from engaging with other craftsmen or trainers. Do that one special thing you do and share it with the world, even if it feels vulnerable.
What’s the best thing about your life?
The best thing about my life is that I get to use my natural cosmetics background and love of plants to serve horses and people. I’m most happy about integrating my two passions into one business that gives me joy every day. A quiet voice has been leading me here for years; I finally just listened and jumped in.
Best-kept secret about what you do?
The best-kept secret about what I do is that I get to play with new product ideas and formulas on my friends—both horses and humans. I pinch myself when I go to the barn or go to any horse-related event for the benefit of Electric Pony! I hope to continue creating products that benefit the horse and human.
For more information, visit electricponyco.com
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Ioppolo, unless noted otherwise
Photo by Ashlee of LoveJoy Collective
