06/07/2026
🆘️ “I've been looking for a pony for my child for 6 months and am at my wits end!! Can you help?”
Are you an agent? You have so many success stories, why?
Producing Ponies for Kids and Pony Club by Fiona Clark
💞It’s really simple – I CARE! I care about the ponies; I care about not setting them up to fail. I care about being successful and job satisfaction. I care about parents and children having fun and enjoying the journey.
🐎My equine history and passion lays with backing and starting young horses. I've worked all over the world, I’ve been the go-to for problem horses (bad, mad or ruined at human hands). As a mum Ive trawled the country looking at mis-advertised, unsound or un-suitable ponies. In the end we just made our own but remember this is my profession. I certainly do not advocate buying young ponies for young children unless you have time, knowledge, expertise and small competent jockey to help educate.
GREEN ON GREEN = BLACK & BLUE!! 💚+💚=🖤💙
💯 I match on average 50-80 ponies per year. In 2025 I matched 50, viewed and vetted over 150, advised, discounted and pursued over 500 horses and ponies on behalf of clients.
🌡What that means is that I am an excellent barometer for the market (availability and prices). It also means I invest ALOT of time and energy on behalf of every client and that limits the number of clients I can take on at any one time. I do not work hand in hand with the dealers or outsource the finds that compromises my ability to dig up history ask the difficult questions and uncover hidden truths.
🐴Whether I am pursuing a pony from a private home, dealer or small producer my process of due diligence remains the same.
ITS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY, ITS ABOUT THE SUCCESS
On average 50% of my sales come from the open market and 50% off book. I have a loyal following of lovely clients who would prefer to place their pony through me rather than go to open market. Either way the process remains the same. I have a strict formula which ensures with thorough due diligence that we are not running up and down the country wasting time and money on unnecessary viewings and vetting’s with a 7-year-old child in tow!
🧠I tell my clients “I’m not the secretary, I’m the solicitor”. Meaning it’s not my role to sift and scour the open market. At the premium level, I go off book and work alongside my trusted network of small independent and private home & producers to bring my clients the hidden gems. Use me for my expertise, use me for the process, the formula and the due diligence not to spend hours trawling social media and advertising platforms. Let me guide you through the common pitfalls and outline the right questions to ask and how to review videos and history. I pass on this knowledge willingly and do it in the interest of transparency.
I would like to make the equestrian sales market a better place for all involved (primarily the horses & ponies) normalise discussions about vet histories, personality quirks etc… things that have never changed as long as we’ve owned horses.
HORSES & PONIES HAVEN’T CHANGED IN THE LAST 200 YEARS, BUT OUR EXPECTATIONS HAVE!
When it works and when it doesn’t...
I've learnt to be more laid back and not take it personally or get upset by people’s unrealistic expectations. But It is important to note that I am not a “yes” women. I am a do what is morally and ethically right by the pony woman. I am a know your own skill & limitations women. I know that
⭐️people lie and ponies don’t⭐️
I trust heavily in my instinct, knowledge of horses and THE PROCESS. I don’t like to skip steps or get lead by the seller; I will always act in the interest of the client and pony. However, if a client continually second guesses my advice I don’t see the point in using the service and would rather free up my limited placements for a success story. If you want a finder to forward on 10’s ponies a day, I’m not for you. I’m not boasting 200 sales a year but I think the percentage of positive feedback on long-term sustainable partnerships speaks for itself.
🆓️TAKE AWAYS RIGHT NOW…
🚫As a non-horsey parent. Do not buy your son or daughter a 4/5 year old pony as a first pony. With 30 years’ experience backing and starting horses and ponies, the quietest youngster will have its teenage tantrum as a 5 year old or 12 months after backing. For the pony’s sake in this time period let them be produced by the professionals, firm and fair with correct education.
“I want them to learn and progress together”. Said the non-horsey parent wanting to buy their 8 year old a 14.2hh 4yo connie. JUST NO!
💰Everyone has a budget but remember with a budget come compromises and limitations.
“I don’t want a world be**er, just a sane sound, safe pony that canters perfectly in any environment & can pop a fence will pass a 5 stage oh and has to be super pretty, no greys and no mares, no cobs, nothing over the age 12.”
These ponies are out their but like gold dust. £5k will not buy you a no compromises first pony in the current market.
TOP 3 COMPROMISES
1. 💉Be pragmatic re vetting’s – is the issue manageable can the pony comfortably do the job with care and maintenance?
2. 🦄Don’t limit your options by s*x, colour or breed type
3. 🔞Age – Golden oldies and worth their weight in gold. Ask yourself the question… If this pony keeps your child safe and happy for the next 2 years and stops you having sleepless nights. What is that piece of mind worth to you?
💸DO NOT THINK ABOUT RE-SALE VALUE. In most other areas of your life cars, white goods, services we accept money will be lost. Why, oh why is this a consideration for your child’s safety and happiness. The pony is unaware of the money you have spent they want to be loved, understood and their needs met.
👎TWO WEEK TRIALS ARE THE ENEMY. Controversial I know! But the most upset your horse or pony is ever going to be is in the first 2 weeks of ownership. New environment, new stable mates, new humans. Testing them out in every possible scenario to see if they are right for you is just plain unfair and likely to blow their brains. Think. Am I right for them? Be kind, understanding of their situation. It is our job to do everything within our power and with the knowledge we have to help a new pony settle and be the best version of themselves.
“Never setting horses or ponies up to fail”
Fiona Clark Horse Trainer 🐴💖
If you would like help finding your next pony, Id love to help.
“I do not have a magic tree which I can shake down of perfect ponies nobody else knows about (unicorns do not exist). But with knowledge, expertise and thorough due diligence I can help and guide you to prevent an expensive mistake.”
IF YOU READ TO THE END PLEASE GIVE MY LITTLE BUSINESS A SHARE ✌️🫶
fans @
Fiona Clark
Pony Pairing Queen 👑
