Please read the biographies under the accomplishment tab and vote for one entry at the bottom of the page.
Heavenly Gabrielle
Emma and Heavenly Gabrielle aka Gabby have been all over the USA performing and carrying the American flag for performances before Grand Prix Showjumping all year. These two have been together for coming on 11 years. Emma and Gabby have been trick riding together since 2021. This years most important performances were at Live Oak International horse show in March in Ocala, Florida. As well as a special 911 tribute in Parker, Colorado. Their final performance of the year and her retirement performance ended us at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida in December . This was set as a special thank you to the man who gave her a chance to perform. Robbie Roberts owner of WEC. Emma is extremely proud of all the accomplishments she and Gabby have made over the years. We hope you like it too.
Knightwynd Chiron
Knightwynd Chiron was awarded the USDF Dressage at Devon Pony Grand Champion in 2024 at just 4 months old. Chiron was a weanling at the time attending his very first horse show and was able to impress the judges with his conformation, movement, and superb temperament to earn the title of Champion Pony beating numerous other young and mature ponies! Chiron really handled the huge environment at Dressage at Devon as a weanling representing the Welsh Cob and catching the attention of so many with his personality and easy going demeanor!
Lazy J Star Witness
Lazy J Star Witness (Star) is a 2008 Section B mare by Flying Diamond the Bailef the first Welsh Pony of the Year and has a long history of being amazing both in and out of the show ring. This year, I set a goal to get Star’s Award of Excellence (AOE). AOE is a lifetime achievement award that requires 4000 points. We needed to earn over 500 points this year to meet that goal. That’s a lot of points! This meant I needed to complete in a large variety of classes from short stirrup to junior trail, and quite literally everything in between. This incomparable mare not only stepped up to the plate but did it with style and grace. I am beyond proud to announce that we exceeded our goals and not only earned AOE but ended the year with 4235 points! This also lead to her being first in the nation for Western A/B Pleasure and Junior Stock Horse Equitation, second in the nation for Ridden Welsh A/B, and top 5 in the nation for Open English Pleasure, Junior Welsh Handler, Short Stirrup Equitation, and English Pleasure 12.2-14.2. While on our AOE journey, we also competed in the Texas State 4-H Horse Show. This is a predominantly stock horse breed show where our pony far exceeded expectations. Star was the only representative of the Welsh breed at this prestigious show. She gained quite the fan club while also earning reserve champion hunt seat equitation, top five in hunt seat versatility, and a finalist in almost every other event we entered. This year was wrapped up with a few North Texas Hunter Jumper Club shows where not only did she earn division championships, but I am also very proud to share she placed in the top five of the 2ft Derby which we had never done before this season. Star is no stranger to the winner’s circle and has a long history of championships from circuits over many years past. However, I believe 2024 was a mind bogglingly awesome year for Star Witness and she is long over due for this award. Sadly, this was my last year showing with Star, and I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things that will happen in this mare’s future. I love you Star Witness.
Rollingwoods Walk Softly
| Rollingwoods Walk Softly “Sophie” is an exceptional candidate for Welsh of the Year, as she epitomizes the versatility, reliableness, and exemplary brain of the Welsh Pony. Sophie is the once in a lifetime pony that every equestrian dreams of and her accomplishments in 2024 prove just that. Sophie kicked off the year with a bang, earning her AOH, which is a feat in and of itself. However, with a pony as special as Sophie, the points and ribbons are just the icing on the cake. What is truly special about Sophie is how she takes care of her riders and drivers. Sophie has participated in the Germantown Charity Horse Show, an All Breeds Show in a chaotic venue under the lights with a very large (and loud) crowd for several years. It is an incredibly spooky environment, but this of course doesn’t stop Sophie from continuing to take excellent care of her drivers and riders. In 2024, Sophie carefully carried a four year old little girl in the Leadline Class. She never set a foot wrong while doing this. Sophie then competed in the highly competitive Carriage speed division with Alex Clark, winning two out of three classes, making her the champion of that division. What makes Sophie truly stand out, however, is her exceptional versatility. Immediately following the speed division, where she ran as fast as she could possibly go, Sophie’s tack was quickly changed for the Junior Driving division, where she was paired with 8 year old novice driver, Ashlan Adair. Despite the adrenaline and high energy following the speed division, Sophie was able to turn around and be the perfect child’s driving pony. She took care of Ashlan through all of the chaos of this exciting show. While caring for a child is the most important thing a pony could ever be tasked with, Sophie didn’t stop there. Not only did she take care of Ashlan, but she also carried Ashlan to earning champion of the junior driving division. There are very few, if any, other animals that can so quickly go from running at top speed to safely caring for a child. Sophie’s ability to do so is truly exceptional, and the fact that she can win while doing this is just gravy. These qualities are what makes her students from novice to advanced agree she is the ultimate lesson pony. A lot is asked of Sophie and not only does she do what is asked, but she also exceeds everyone’s expectations time and time again. No matter who she is paired with, or what the circumstance is, Sophie excels at her job. Sophie highlights all the best qualities of the Welsh pony and there is not a better ambassador of the breed.
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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.
VOTING CLOSES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 at 5:00 pm Eastern time