From the Road to the Ring: Jenny Carol on Dressage and the National Dressage Pony Cup

By. Mike Meldon

As Jenny Carol drove toward Louisville, Kentucky, we spoke by phone about her destination, her lifelong connection to horses, and the program she helped create to give young riders greater access to dressage. Jenny was on her way to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Convention, a national gathering for equestrian professionals and leaders, but our conversation quickly turned to something much closer to her heart: youth riders, ponies, and the future of dressage.

Jenny explained that USEF serves as the governing body for most horse sports in the United States, overseeing rules, records, and standards for a wide range of equestrian disciplines. While the organization covers many areas of competition, dressage stands out as a discipline built on precision, communication, and partnership between horse and rider. These values, Jenny noted, are essential not only for competition, but for learning how to ride responsibly and effectively.

As our conversation continued, Jenny shared how her own journey with horses began. What started as a personal passion grew into a lifelong involvement in the equestrian world, especially in dressage. Through years of experience, she recognized both the benefits of dressage training and the barriers that can prevent young or shorter riders from participating—particularly the cost and accessibility of larger horses.

That realization helped inspire Jenny to co-found the National Dressage Pony Cup. She explained that the Pony Cup was created to provide young riders with meaningful opportunities to compete in dressage while riding ponies. For many youth riders, ponies are more accessible, affordable, and appropriate than full-sized horses, yet they are often overlooked in higher-level competition. The Pony Cup was designed to change that.

The National Dressage Pony Cup emphasizes correct riding, horsemanship, and education over winning alone. Riders are judged not just on performance, but on their understanding of dressage fundamentals, care of their animals, and sportsmanship. Jenny described the program as a supportive entry point into the sport—one that builds confidence and skills while keeping the focus on learning.

By creating the Pony Cup, Jenny and her colleagues opened the door for riders who might otherwise have been excluded from dressage competition. The program allows young equestrians to develop strong foundations, form meaningful partnerships with their ponies, and gain experience in a structured and encouraging environment.

As our interview ended and Jenny continued her drive, it was clear that her work goes beyond competition or convention attendance. Through dressage and the National Dressage Pony Cup, Jenny Carol is helping shape a more inclusive future for the sport—one pony, and one young rider, at a time.

The Annual event will be in Wilmington this year in July- I will be sure to remind everyone and give more details as we get closer to the event. Until then, have a listen to our conversation below: