04/18/2026
More adult amateurs are starting to choose ponies as a practical, strategic decision in equine partner. And in many cases, it’s changing how they experience the sport.
For some riders, the transition to ponies doesn’t come from a long-term plan. It comes from a need to adapt.
Jane Ehrhart, who runs River Hill Farm, a private training facility based in Wellington, Florida, has seen this firsthand through her work with adult riders. Her customers have had major wins at USEF Pony Finals, Wellington International, all of the indoor national finals, as well as the Devon Horse Show.
In her own program, the shift began as a response to a specific situation. After a significant injury, her mother, Joan, was faced with the question of whether she could continue riding.
The answer was yes, but it required rethinking what that would look like. And that led to ponies.
What started as a practical solution has since become a consistent part of the program. “Closer to the ground is the name of the game,” Ehrhart says .
📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2026/04/15/why-more-adult-amateurs-are-choosing-to-ride-ponies/
📸 © Heather N. Photography
