Featured Video: Tiny Pony; Big Jumps

This amazing photo caught my eye the other day as it recirculated on Facebook last week. This little pony is jumping higher than her own height, and with her legs tucked up so carefully, she looks like she’s levitating around this course.

The photo is from a year ago at the 2015 Royal Dublin Horse Show and the video above is from a 1.10m show jumping class at a show in May of that year. The rider, Rhys Williams is a successful pony rider in Ireland and the adorable equine athlete is PARC Lolita. Rhys was just 10 when this video was taken.

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In an interview with Horses in the Morning, Rhys explained that he started riding at age 6 with his father, Adrian, as his trainer/coach. He received Loli as a Christmas gift in 2014, although she’s since moved on to a new rider in Denmark. Rhys lists American rider McLain Ward as his hero in the world of show jumping, and hopes to be an Olympian one day, too. I’d say he’s got a pretty good shot.

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Leslie Potter

Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.

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View Comments

Marion says:
September 27, 2016 at 5:31 am
What an Awesome team! Love that pony, and a great color too, my favorite Palomino! This young man will be in the Olympics in another 8 years!
Donna Lee says:
September 28, 2016 at 2:28 am
Woo, what an amazing little powerhouse. Fabulous team, such great trust. clearly these two work well together. Thanks for sharing, love it..
Sherry says:
September 28, 2016 at 5:29 am
What a great ride and fantastic pony! Worth her weight in GOLD, her color! Look out McLain Ward!
pKL says:
September 29, 2016 at 6:49 am
Wow!! Say it all. Simply amazing.
Gee and Haw says:
September 30, 2016 at 10:49 am
Great little team.
Sandy says:
October 4, 2016 at 5:31 am
Just fantastic! That Pony has a heart of gold!
tara says:
October 6, 2016 at 5:38 pm
oh so cute! looks like fun wish i could have done that when i was younger.
Tristan says:
October 7, 2016 at 6:39 am
Cuteness overload.
k says:
October 10, 2016 at 5:39 am
What a great Combo of rider and pony! Adorable and good at what they both do!
Marion says:
October 13, 2016 at 5:58 am
Just can't get enough of watching this young man and his awesome pony! What a wonderful team!