It’s Pony Time at Lamplight - Championships Set to Begin

The picturesque showgrounds of Lamplight Equestrian Center are buzzing and excitement is reaching a fever pitch as competitors prepare for Friday’s kickoff of the 2019 National Dressage Pony Cup (NDPC) and Small Horse Championship Show, being held July 19-21 in Wayne, Ill. With a double-digit increase in entries yet again this year to a new record of 250, the competition has once again proven to be a destination event for pony and small horse dressage enthusiasts from as far away as Texas and Canada.

Also setting a new record is the 35 different breeds (a whopping 35% increase from 2018) which will be represented at this year’s 12th anniversary event, all showing off their talents across two Championship days and seven non-stop rings of competition from the Intro level to Grand Prix. Leading the way with an impressive 40 equine representatives from across the country are the Arabians, Half-Arabians, and Arabian crosses, and Dawn Jones-Low, President of the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance, is delighted with the turnout.

“While Arabians have often been promoted based on their elegant beauty, they have long been valued by riders for friendly temperaments, intelligence, and longevity under saddle. Now as more riders choose Arabian-bred small horses and ponies as dressage partners, their suitability and quality for amateur and junior riders is becoming better known,” Jones-Low explained. “The National Dressage Pony Cup and Small Horse Championships is such a welcoming and celebratory venue, where riders of small horses and ponies (including those which are Arabian-bred) are rewarded for excellence in dressage competition while drawing attention to their capabilities, regardless of size. This show also offers a chance for members of the community to connect with other riders of Arabian-bred dressage ponies and small horses and cheer each other on.”

Like the multitude of other breed registries and organizations supporting their representatives at the show, the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance, Inc. is sponsoring the Arabian/Half-Arabian Breed Award and the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance Perpetual Trophy to recognize the achievements of Arabian-bred ponies and small horses at this year’s event. “We have been promoting the NDPC and showcasing the Arabian-bred horses that have been competing there for a number of years now, so awareness of this fantastic show has been spreading in the Arabian-bred sport horse community,” Jones-Low continued. “We hope that everyone will be inspired by their success, and to show the wider dressage world that small horses and ponies, including those that are Arabian-bred, can indeed ‘measure up.’”

Follow all the action with photos, videos and news on the NDPC Facebook page! To find out more information about the National Dressage Pony Cup programs, visit the NDPC website at www.dressageponycup.com. To view National Dressage Pony Cup & Small Horse Championships show information including prize list, exhibitors, classes and ride times, visit www.dressageshowinfo.com.