Please read the biographies under the accomplishment tab and vote for one entry at the bottom of the page.
Curyll Sterling River
In 2025, Curyll Sterling Silver proved himself to be an extraordinary ambassador for the Welsh breed through his versatility, temperament, and ability to carry a first-year child exhibitor to a level of success far beyond expectations. At 9 years old, Zoe Stramel entered her very first show season, and this pony stepped into the role of teacher, competitor, and partner with remarkable steadiness. Together they earned exceptional South Central and National WPCSA year-end standings, including multiple podium and top-five finishes in Child’s First Pony and pleasure and equitation divisions — a great accomplishment for their 1st year!
What sets this pony apart is not only his success in the Welsh ring, but his willingness to excel outside of it. In the same year, he crossed over into open ranch competition and safely carried a beginner youth rider through seven ranch divisions, including ranch rail, ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch reining, and mechanical cow work. He handled new environments, obstacles, patterns, and cow exposure with a calm, generous mind that allowed a young rider to grow in confidence while remaining competitive. Zoe also trained to him to jump and trail ride confidently outside the arena at the walk, trot, canter, and gallop, to navigate gullies, cross bridges, and willingly cross creeks of water. Each new challenge was met with the same calm, generous mind. His steady temperament, trainability, and heart earned multiple WPCSA Supreme Championships, prize titles, and stakes winnings during his first full season.
More than a show pony, he is a true children’s pony — kind, forgiving, and honest — yet talented enough to compete at a high level. He represents the Welsh breed exactly as it should be seen: versatile, intelligent, athletic, and deeply trustworthy. In one year, he introduced a child to the sport, proved himself across disciplines, and demonstrated the rare ability to be both a safe teacher and a winning competitor. His impact goes beyond ribbons; he created a foundation of confidence, joy, and partnership that will shape a young rider’s future in horses. For these reasons, he stands as an exceptional candidate for Welsh of the Year.
Diamond K Monte
When my husband and I bought Diamond K Monte for our daughter Harper I had no idea how much of my heart this special pony would take. Monte has a long history of taking care of kids and he did nothing short of this with our daughter. Harper was always a timid rider and he has known exactly how to care for her through every single peek and valley they have experienced over the years. Harper took a bad fall a few show seasons back and we honestly didn’t know if she would come back to showing she was scared of everything after that. The saying it all has to fall apart for it to be built back beautifully couldn’t be more true. Day by day their bond grew stronger and stronger and this year was such an amazing year and true testament to what trust and love can do for two partners. Monte in his own right earned and award at the USEF Horse of the Year dinner- National Reserve Champion English Pleasure C/D, Region 4 Champion for the same division. With WPCSA Regionally he was the Champion for the South Central Region in Section D Geldings 3 and over, English Pleasure C/D Ridden Welsh Classic C/D. Together Helped Harper earn National Reserve Champion Sort Stirrup Eq and South Central Champion in the same division. Monte is the truest definition of Welsh of a Lifetime, I have had vets tell me it is obvious he gives his whole entire heart to Harper which just makes me eternally grateful that this blessing of a pony is ours. For all of these reasons and a million more I would like to put Monte’s name in the hat for Welsh of the year!
Goldhills All American Girl
Goldhills All American Girl, affectionately known as “Ellie” in the barn, is an excellent candidate for Welsh of the Year because of her versatility, consistency, and competitive record. Throughout the 2025 show season she competed across multiple disciplines at both breed and open competitions with riders of varying experience levels. At just six years old, Ellie has far surpassed any expectations we ever had.
This year, Ellie competed with a junior rider in English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Trail, Junior Handler, and halter. In addition, she was regularly used as a catch-ride pony for walk trot riders at shows, demonstrating her adaptability and reliability while continuing to perform competitively. Additionally, she showcased her adaptability in the open hunter divisions at “A” rated shows, where she garnered multiple championships in the competitive 2’ and 2′ 3 ” open divisions.
At one hunter show, Ellie competed in the 2’ Pony Hunter division, not only earning the championship but also earning the show series High Point award. Earlier in the year she also competed at the Santa Barbara National Horse Show where she won the English Pleasure Hunt Seat Open Stake competing against Morgans, Iberians, and Welsh alike.
On the Welsh circuit, Ellie placed champion or reserve in nearly every division she entered, including her first appearance at the American National. These stellar results contributed to her WPCSA National Championships, placings in the USEF Horse of the Year Awards and the completion of her Legion of Merit. Ellie was also awarded the Tylwyth Pony Farm Timbercreek Morning Mist Award for the second consecutive year.
All of these accomplishments are just a part of what makes Ellie special. Her sweet, loving demeanor always makes her a fan favorite. Her adaptability and strong work ethic make Ellie a delight to work with and makes riding her a truly fun experience. Her fantastic 2025 results, loving demeanor, and great adaptability make her an excellent candidate for Welsh of the Year. Goldhills All American Girl represents the true joy of the Welsh breed and is a great ambassador for all Welsh Ponies.
Maple Lane Kero
| 2025 was truly a pivotal year for children riding ponies in dressage. This was the inaugural year in which the FEI children’s dressage division opened its doors to ponies AND the North America Youth Championship in Dressage opened its doors to the FEI children’s division.
As you likely know, NAYC is a prestigious event, an international competition in which riders are all in youth divisions. Generations of youth riders have strived for selection. Into this atmosphere, a 12-year-old rider from Milton-Freewater, Oregon, Maverick Wright, pranced into the competition, aiming for a coveted position on the regional dressage team. His partner on this adventure was a 22-year-old 14.1 hand Welsh Cob gelding, Maple Lane Kero (known as the Peach). Peach loved the attention at shows and obviously felt that it was much too early to retire. Maverick indeed made the cut for NAYC and rode Peach to a bronze medal in the individual children’s competition! And in third place, winning the bronze medal, is Maverick Wright from Milton-Freewater, Oregon, riding Maple Lane Kero, a 22-year-old Welsh Cob gelding, bred by Anne Corden of Ontario, Canada, and owned by Linda Susan Krook of Silverdale, Washington. Maple Lane Kero is by Mill Gate Hercules x Canterbrook Marmalade x Trevalllion Royal Consort. Dressage Pony cup finals for the year showed first place FEI children’s, first place FEI pony, second place Prix St George Jr. At age 13, Maverick on Peach reached the scores needed for his USDF bronze and silver rider’s awards. Once again, the pair won the Semi-Finals in Dressage Medal Seat equitation 13 and under at regional championships. Maverick on Peach also competed in Working Equitation with the following results. Then in the fall came an invitation. This pair of Maverick Wright on Maple Lane Kero was invited into the USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program! A 13-year-old boy on a 22-year-old Welsh Cob pony! |
Severn Rainbow
Severn Rainbow is a special Section A with a zest for life and the will to tackle anything. Her specialty is driving and she has successfully competed with Claire Lacey in Intermediate Level Combined Tests against horses. But she truly shows her character outside the show ring. For example, she participated in the Exhibition Musical Freestyle Class at PVDA’s Ride For Life, a large ridden dressage show that raises money for breast cancer research. Her driven dressage freestyle was in the imposing Prince George’s Equestrian Center Show Place Arena. Rainbow had to go down a steep ramp and through a tunnel to reach the ring. She warmed up around the ring and did her musical Kur to Pink’s song “A Million Dream’s” without putting a foot wrong. Afterwards, I was asked how many times Rainbow had been in the arena. They were shocked it was her first time because it usually takes many practices for horses to become comfortable in the arena, and some horses never do.
Rainbow has also served as a Welsh ambassador by doing a driving demonstration at the Tuckahoe Equestrian Center’s “Celebration of the Horse”. She was hitched then unhitched next to the Jousting and Mounted Archery Demonstrations, both times standing calmly while horses were galloping less than 20 yards away. Rainbow did a beautiful demonstration ending by smoothly cantering a cones course, all the while ignoring mounted spectators whose horses were whirling around in fear at the cart chasing Rainbow.
I was not expecting the biggest challenge of her life to be just surviving this year. The week before Thanksgiving, I found her upside down in the run-in shed, hanging from her leg with her foot trapped between boards. It took a crowbar to get her out. Her hind leg had a horrific wound, with most of the cannon bone exposed. I called the vet expecting to have her euthanized but Rainbow was so resolute that we decided she deserved a chance. My truck and trailer were in the shop, so I called on my Welsh family, and Sue Ward answered my call. Rainbow could barely move, but she bravely hobbled onto Sue’s trailer, and Sue and Claire took her to New Bolton Hospital. The emergency room vets gave her a 50% chance of survival. In addition to the leg wound she had a bad eye ulcer with infection. As I am writing this, Rainbow is still in the hospital. It has taken this long because she lost most of the remaining skin on her leg and had to have an operation to remove dead bone tissue before the wound could fully recover. During this process Rainbow has been a real trooper. She has become the hospital mascot, and the vets can’t say enough about her attitude. They even admire her Welsh feistiness although they did have to call in an equine behaviorist to help develop the partnership needed to carry out the many painful procedures. At this point, Rainbow just needs to grow tissue to completely cover the bone. Her vet expects she will come home by the end of February ready to begin the process of getting fit enough to once again compete in driving competitions. Her true Welsh spirit helped her beat the odds, and I expect her to be back running cones by the end of the year.
Voting
Please take a moment and cast your vote below. Remember you may only vote once and for only one. You must be a current WPCSA member for your vote to count. Not a member yet, join here: Join WPCSA – Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America
VOTING CLOSES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 at 5:00 pm Eastern time