Name: Caroline “Mosie” Pennington
City/State: Washington, D.C.
Grade: 6th
How long have you been part of the horse world?
I’ve been around horses my whole life. Our family has a racehorse farm in Virginia with breeding, training and re-training operations. My mom also rides and was responsible for putting me on my first pony at the age of 2. Now I train with Denice DeRisio Perry, of Skyland Farm in Middleburg, Virginia.
What part do you play in the horse world?
I rode in my first horse show at age 3 in lead line. My pony’s name was Hanky Panky. Now, I ride in the small pony hunters with two ponies: Yours Truly, aka True, and Dreamscape, aka Glynda. I’ve had True since he was 4 and I was 5, and we’ve leased Glynda for the last three years. I ride three days a week, sometimes more. I love everything about ponies! 
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
Being around horses and ponies is my favorite thing. My favorite thing about ponies are how they all have different personalities. Glynda is grumpy in her stall but happy outside. True is happy all the time, and he really likes to give everyone kisses. True is my “person!” even though he’s a pony. I love all animals. We have three dogs, named Violet, Clementine and Lily. I also love swimming, skiing and playing tennis. I’m on the cross country and track teams at my school so I’m really busy!
What can you tell us about your passion for making art?
Making art helps calm me down in stressful situations. At age 2 ½, I went to a studio class where we would draw with chalk pastels on large easels. The teachers taught by having us use shapes as the foundation of the drawing. We also used photographs. Before coronavirus, I would go to a studio with my friend to learn about making art.
I like to draw with regular pencils and paint. I have experimented with fading colors and thinking of people and animals to add to my artwork.
I have always drawn horses. In the Blue Rider Art Club, I get to see a close-up of my teacher’s drawing when we’re using Zoom. That really helps me see what she’s doing, and I think it’s easier to move through classes more quickly because everything is on the computer. I’m learning a lot. I like how the stories that we talk about in the club are not just about horses. I’m also learning about Greek mythology, and the gods of horses and Pegasus. That was really fun.
What’s your biggest achievement?
I was ranked first in the small pony hunters in the state of Virginia for 2019. I showed at the Washington International Horse Show last year and have been volunteering for many years.
What are your goals for the future?
This year I’m qualified for and really want to go to Pony Finals. Pony Finals would be a good experience for me. I’d also like my pony True to go because he’s more green than Glynda and it would be a good experience for him, too.
What’s the best thing about your life?
All of my animals! My three dogs, kitten, two ponies and four fish. I love everything about them.
Best-kept secret about what you do?
I am one of about 50 kids, aged 7 to 26, that is a council member of The Reserva Youth Land Trust. We are from all over the world, including places like Ecuador, Kenya, Washington D.C. and the UK. We work on projects to protect the environment and animals through conservation, education and storytelling. We’re trying to raise money to buy the last remaining section of Chocó Rainforest in Ecuador and preserve it forever.
