They are cute, they are athletic and they are the right size for smaller dressage competitors and junior riders: Sport Ponies from Europe. American and Canadian interest in German, Dutch and Belgian bred sport ponies
is growing daily and the paramount importance of importing these little stars, which match a rider's strength and potential exactly, is surfacing on the other side of the world.
The American Warmblood Breeder's Fund and the Warmblood Magazine is raising awareness of a new trend which is on the verge of being launched Pan Am wide. The Warmblood Breeder's Fund interviewed Miss Appels about Sport Ponies in Europe for The Warmblood Magazine.
In an effort to promote ponies in dressage competition, Nancy Burr Montanaro and former USET Olympian Lendon Gray have created and are sponsoring a recognition program for ponies competing in dressage in the Northeast. The Ballywhim Pony Award will be given to the high-scoring ponies in selected dressage shows in USDF Region 1 and Region 8. Gray has long been an advocate of ponies for juniors and small adults in dressage. One of Gray’s dreams is to see ponies become as important a part of the dressage world as they are of the hunter world. "Ultimately, I want to see pony classes offered in all dressage shows, culminating in an annual North America FEI pony championships," she said.