Opening Feature
Where the Miles Have Taken Us
A season of versatility, partnership and storytelling through the FPSNA PPA program
Fell Pony Society of North America: Performance Premium & Awards Program Results — 2025
The Fell Pony Society of North America’s 2025 Performance Premium & Awards Program once again highlighted the versatility, dedication and partnership that continue to define the Fell pony community across North America. From ridden performance and driving to in-hand competition, ambassador work and recreational partnership, this year’s entries reflected the many ways these ponies continue to excel both inside and outside of the show ring.
In the ridden divisions, Clifford Silver Slipper, owned and ridden by Taylor Bie, had a standout season, earning top honors across multiple categories. Silver Slipper placed first in both Western Ridden and Junior Ridden competition while also securing the Novice Ridden division. These accomplishments ultimately led to Silver Slipper being named Grand Champion Ridden Performance Pony, Born Overseas — FPS High Point Performance Award recipient, and recipient of the Most Versatile Pony Award.
In the in-hand divisions, Conwood Ivy, owned and handled by Ashton Kirkeide, claimed first place in the Yearling In-Hand division. The Two-Year-Old In-Hand division featured Drybarrows Illicit and Featheredfoothill Faith, both presented by Jane Snar, with Drybarrows Illicit earning the division win. Drybarrows Havana, also presented by Jane Snar, topped the Three-Year-Old In-Hand division.
Clifford Silver Slipper once again led the Four-Year-Old & Over In-Hand division, followed by Dreamhayven Stolichnaya, owned by Pamela Lavoie Clapp, with Bybeck Victoria placing third.
Youngstock honors this season went to Drybarrows Illicit, who was named Youngstock Champion. Conwood Ivy and Featheredfoothill Faith shared Reserve Youngstock Champion honors. Clifford Silver Slipper also earned Grand Champion In-Hand Pony, while Dreamhayven Stolichnaya received Reserve Grand Champion In-Hand Pony.
In driving competition, Dreamhayven Irish Rose, driven and owned by Jeanette Marsh, delivered an impressive season in Open Driving, earning the division championship with the highest driving point total of the year. This accomplishment also secured the pony the Born in North America — High Point Performance Award. Clifford Silver Slipper followed in second place, further demonstrating the pony’s broad versatility across disciplines.
The Ambassador Pony division continued to recognize ponies serving as educators, representatives and community ambassadors for the breed. Stennerskeugh Danny Boy and Dreamhayven Pickpocket, both presented by Melissa R Kreuzer, tied for first place in the division. Bybeck Victoria and Drybarrows Havana also earned recognition for their ambassador activities throughout the season.
The Working Pony and Recreational Pony divisions reflected the everyday partnership so valued within the Fell pony community. Royalcrest Mirabelle, owned by Shannon Barnes, earned top honors in the division. Conwood Ivy and Dreamhayven Stolichnaya shared second place honors.
Breeding achievement awards once again recognized the importance of preserving and promoting quality Fell pony bloodlines in North America. Lunesdale Briony earned the Mare Progeny Performance Premium, while Stennerskeugh Smoke received the Stallion Progeny Performance Premium.
Additional year-end honors included The All ’Rounder Award, presented to Dreamhayven Stolichnaya for broad participation across divisions and activities.
Congratulations to all owners, breeders, handlers, riders and drivers who participated in the 2025 program season. Whether competing at large public venues, attending clinics, participating in virtual opportunities, representing the breed in ambassador settings, or simply building steady partnerships at home, each participant continues to contribute to the preservation, visibility and future of the Fell pony in North America.
One Pony, Many Paths
Running since approximately 2011, the FPSNA Performance Premium & Awards Program (PPA) was developed in the spirit of the Fell Pony Society’s Premium and Performance Awards Scheme. Its purpose is to celebrate the versatility of the Fell pony in North America and the many different ways these ponies are enjoyed across the continent. While traditional competition remains part of the program, the PPA has also recognized driving, ambassador work, recreational riding, in-hand showing, young pony development and the everyday partnerships people build with these ponies over time.
For newer participants, the PPA can at first appear intimidating — a detailed application documenting goals, achievements and progress throughout the year with a required height certificate completed by a veterinarian. Yet for many longtime participants, the program has evolved into something far more meaningful than a simple year-end standings chart.
One theme that emerged repeatedly throughout this season’s reflections was connection. In a breed community spread across a vast continent, participants described the PPA and virtual opportunities as one of the few ways many people are able to share progress, stay involved and continue celebrating their ponies together despite long distances, busy lives and changing circumstances.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
A small piece of FPSNA history feels worth remembering here as well. In the very first issue of The Fell Pony Express (2002), the first Chair of FPSNA, the late Wendy Ihlang acknowledged both the excitement and challenges of building a rare-breed community in North America. Alongside updates about growing membership, public education and showcasing Fell ponies across the continent, she also openly recognized that even within a small community built around a shared love of ponies, there would still be politics, disagreements and growing pains.
More than twenty years later, those same tensions can still be found echoing. Yet woven throughout Wendy’s message was another reminder — one perhaps even more important now than it was then: that the true purpose of the organization was never meant to revolve around personalities or conflict, but around stewardship of the Fell pony itself and the people working to preserve and promote it.
“We want to keep our feet out of the mud and in a positive direction.”
Two decades later, that sentiment still feels worth holding onto.
Beyond the Results
Behind each score, ribbon and year-end award is a much larger story — one shaped by long miles, young ponies learning new skills, public ambassador work, driving goals, family traditions, mentorship, setbacks, growth and the everyday realities of life with Fell ponies across North America.
What follows is not simply a collection of placings, but a glimpse into some of the people and ponies who continue to carry the breed forward in their own unique ways.
Versatility - Clifford Silver Slipper
One of the season’s standout all-around performers was Clifford Silver Slipper, a twelve-year-old mare owned by Taylor Bie of Largo, Florida. Imported from Lammerside Fell Ponies in England after spending much of her life as a broodmare, “Silver Slipper” began an entirely new chapter after weaning her foal, Urbanacres Gideon.
Originally started under saddle and in harness later in life, Silver Slipper quickly proved herself to be an exceptionally adaptable and willing partner. Throughout the season she participated across an impressive range of activities including in-hand competition, English and Western performance classes, carriage shows, foxhunting and trail riding, while also serving as a trusted mount for a young rider.
“Her accomplishments haven’t stopped since,” Taylor shared. “Whether she is showing in hand, showing English or western, fox hunting, trail riding, showing at carriage shows, or safely toting around her favorite seven-year-old, she never ceases to amaze us.”
Silver Slipper ultimately earned Grand Champion Ridden Performance Pony, Grand Champion In-Hand Pony, the Born Overseas High Point Performance Award and the Most Versatile Pony Award — accomplishments reflecting not only competitive success, but the remarkable adaptability for which the Fell pony is so well known.
Young Ponies & New Goals - Conwood Ivy
Young ponies and future goals were another recurring theme throughout this year’s program. Conwood Ivy, who turned two in February, earned Yearling In-Hand Champion honors and shared Reserve Youngstock Champion recognition, but for owner Ashton Kirkeide, the season is about far more than placings alone.
In Ashton’s words, Ivy enjoys “long walks on the beach (aka desert), hanging with her friends (aka the kids and her horse-sized dog friend, Chase), brushing her excessive hair, and playing with her trainer Ben while learning more groundwork.”
Looking ahead, Ivy’s goals this year include expanding her groundwork education, beginning ground driving and increasing her exposure to traffic and trails as preparation for a future as a versatile riding and driving pony.
The Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old In-Hand divisions also highlighted the gradual development of younger Fell ponies beginning their own journeys in North America. Drybarrows Illicit earned Youngstock Champion honors while Featheredfoothill Faith and Drybarrows Havana continued developing through in-hand showing and ambassador activities.
Those efforts have included participation in FPSNA Virtual Shows, ambassador appearances at the Northwest Horse Expo in the Pacific Northwest, mountain trail clinics and public demonstrations showcasing the breed’s calm temperament, agility and willingness in obstacle work. Featheredfoothill Faith also made her debut in-hand at the National Mountain Trail Show held at the Oregon Horse Center, representing another step forward in the gradual development and exposure of younger Fell ponies.
Drybarrows Illicit also earned Reserve Champion honors in the 2025 FPSNA Virtual Fall Show — a significant accomplishment for the young mare and a reflection of her quality, temperament and continuing development.
Jane also expressed appreciation for the trainers, mentors and fellow pony owners who continue to help support and encourage the development of these ponies along the way. Drybarrows Havana, currently in training with Fjord Olson and the Olson family, was also shown by Fjord in the FPSNA Virtual Show program and participated in ambassador work through clinics and public demonstrations, helping introduce more people to the breed and its versatility.
Goals: Dreamhayven Stolichnaya
Dreamhayven Stolichnaya, known as “Stoli,” also reflected another important side of participation within the PPA program — the ability for people separated by long distances and limited access to traditional shows to remain connected through virtual opportunities and shared goals.
For Pamela Lavoie Clapp of Rio Verde Foothills, Arizona, PPA and FPSNA Virtual Show programs have become an important way to remain involved within the Fell pony community despite the challenges of travel and distance.
“We really appreciate being able to participate in this way and to show what our ponies can do with their consistent training and progress,” Pamela shared. “We are constantly amazed at their abilities.”
Turning five this June, Stoli’s next major goal will be learning to drive — a fitting next step for a pony already demonstrating versatility across multiple areas of participation.
Pamela also reflected on how meaningful it has been watching the many different ways others continue to enjoy and develop their ponies across North America.
“It’s fun for us to see how truly versatile these ponies are.”
Finding Fell Ponies - Royalcrest Mirabelle
For many participants, the journey into Fell ponies began unexpectedly. Shannon Barnes shared that before 2020 she had spent years raising Arabian-Saddlebred crosses and had never even heard of the breed until one restless pandemic afternoon led to an internet search for “Black Horse.”
“What popped up was the Fell Pony breed, and I started reading — and reading — and reading,” Shannon recalled.
“The more I read about Fell ponies, the more I ‘Fell’ in love with everything about them.”
Not long afterward, Royalcrest Mirabelle entered her life as an eighteen-month-old filly. Now seven years old, Mirabelle has become not only a versatile partner but an ambassador for the breed wherever she goes. Shannon has intentionally exposed her to as many experiences as possible, including trail riding, water crossings, parades, driving, cattle sorting, obstacles, rides into town and mounted patrol work at the Kansas State Fair.
For Shannon, the PPA program became a natural fit for a pony who thrives on variety and new experiences. Looking ahead to 2026, she hopes to log 300 riding miles with Mirabelle, participate in parades and coach one of her granddaughters driving Mirabelle in competition.
“Everybody who meets Mirabelle LOVES her and asks me what kind of horse she is,” Shannon shared. “So the Fell Pony story gets told many times over each year.”
Driving Forward - Dreamhayven Irish Rose
Longtime participant Jeanette Marsh and DreamHayven Irish Rose once again represented the depth of driving talent and versatility found within the Fell pony community. Over the years, Jeanette and “Rose” have built one of the most accomplished Fell pony driving partnerships in North America, demonstrating the breed’s athleticism, steadiness and adaptability across pleasure driving, combined driving, carriage competition and breed-focused programs.
Their record reflects not only success, but consistency.
Jeanette was recognized in the 2024 Fell Pony of the Year in the FPSNA PPA Program, while DreamHayven Irish Rose earned the 2024 Duke of Edinburgh Award for Driving and the 2024 USDF All-Breeds Award for Fell Ponies. “Rose” has also been a strong presence in FPSNA Virtual Shows, where she has been recognized at the highest levels, including Champion and Supreme Champion honors. No other Fell pony and owner/handler has ever achieved these combined merits in the states
In 2025, Rose continued that record of achievement by earning top honors in the Open Driving division and receiving the Born in North America High Point Performance Award. Bred in North America, she stands as a powerful example of what thoughtful breeding, long-term development and a dedicated partnership can produce.
Beyond the ribbons and titles, what stands out most is the continuity of the partnership. Jeanette and Rose have returned year after year, continuing to develop, compete, represent and advocate for the breed through steady work and visible achievement. Their accomplishments help show that Fell ponies are not only hardy, historic native ponies, but capable modern partners with the temperament, movement and heart to succeed at demanding levels of sport.
As one of the program’s longtime participants, Jeanette’s continued involvement reflects another important part of the PPA itself — the quiet dedication of people who keep showing up across changing seasons and evolving goals, helping build a record of what these ponies can do in North America.
Ambassadors for the Breed - Dreamhayven Pickpocket & Stennerskeugh Danny Boy
The Ambassador divisions continued to highlight another important aspect of the Fell pony community — introducing the breed to the public and helping new people discover these ponies for the very first time.
Melissa Kreuzer shared that DreamHayven ponies once again spent the season representing the breed at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, where imported stallion Stennerskeugh Danny Boy appeared alongside his nine-month-old son, DreamHayven Pickpocket, out of Bybeck Tiffany, before thousands of visitors over the course of the event’s nine-week run.
Traveling nearly 2,000 miles from their home farm, the ponies participated in nineteen public festival days filled with constant interaction, questions, photographs and hands-on encounters with visitors.
Even more meaningful this season was watching young Pickpocket confidently step into that same role alongside his sire.
“We are proud to be a stalwart supporter of the FPSNA PPA program in both the Performance and Ambassador divisions,”
Melissa shared, reflecting on more than two decades of involvement helping promote Fell ponies in North America.
The Quiet Continuity of Participation
One of the strongest reminders throughout this year’s PPA season is that there is no single way to participate with a Fell pony. Some ponies are competing in carriage driving and combined events. Others are trail riding, attending clinics, beginning groundwork, serving as family ponies, representing the breed in public settings or simply developing steadily at home.
As one of the program’s longer-running participants, Jane Snar has participated since 2018 and reflected on how the PPA has become far more than a collection of placings over time.
“For me, the PPA created a professional way to build a portfolio of achievements, not simply around competition, but around setting goals, diversifying the work I do with my ponies, tracking progress and continually challenging myself to do better by them,” she shared.
That participation has also brought unexpected mentorship and connection. While completing her first PPA application in 2018, Jane reached out to former FPSNA Chair Melissa Kreuzer for guidance.
“She was patient and kind while helping me navigate what initially felt like a very challenging application,” Jane recalled. “That kindness and support eventually led to four wonderful trips to Cumbria together and years of continued mentorship and encouragement within the breed.”
Although JKL Istas did not participate in the 2025 PPA season, Jane reflected on the mare’s long history within the program, having participated every year since 2018 before stepping back to allow focus on a younger generation of developing ponies.
Below: JKL Istas; Bybeck Friday Lass; Bybeck Victoria’s dam in the UK; a Fell Pony Adventures packing trip in the UK; and ambassador and obstacle work with Bybeck Victoria at the Northwest Horse Expo Fell demo.
What Endures
Collecting these reflections throughout the year has been a reminder of just how varied and personal these journeys with Fell ponies truly are — from national-level competition and driving events to in-hand showing, recreational miles, ambassador work and educational outreach promoting the breed across North America.
More than anything, it has been humbling to see the dedication, creativity and passion shared by this small but deeply committed community of pony people, each finding their own way to showcase, steward and advocate for the breed.
The ponies may differ in age, experience and discipline, but the thread connecting them remains much the same: partnership, stewardship, curiosity and a genuine affection for these remarkably versatile ponies.
Collected, edited and written by Jane Snar with reflections shared by participants in the 2025 FPSNA Performance Premium Awards Program.
A showcase of versatility hosted by the Fell Pony Society
PICTURED BELOW: Photographs from the Fell Pony Society Breed Show, August, 2025, by Jane Snar
