Member Spotlight: Carsyn Ritter

This Pony Club Member Spotlight, brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, features Carsyn Ritter, an Eventing rider from Woodbrook Hunt Pony Club in the Northwest Region.

Age: 15

Club/Region: Woodbrook Hunt Pony Club/Northwest Region

Years in Pony Club: 4

Current certification (and/or certification currently working on): C-2 Horse Management, C-2 Eventing

What disciplines and/or activities are you involved in?
Eventing, Dressage, Show Jumping, Foxhunting, and Tetrathlon

Tell us about your current mount(s) and what you do with him:
I’m currently leasing an incredible 15-year-old Welsh/Dutch Warmblood named Squishy (show name Mr. Curiosity), and I’ve been lucky enough to lease him for almost two years now. He’s truly a dream to ride! Together, we do everything from Tetrathlon to Novice-Level Eventing. Last year, we tackled our first-ever Dressage freestyle, and he was an absolute star. Squishy has really helped me take the next step in my Eventing journey—last season we placed third in Area VII for Beginner Novice, and just recently we took first place at our first Novice Event together! I’m beyond excited for what’s to come, and every time I swing a leg over, I’m so thankful to ride such an amazing pony.

Tell us about your goals (with Pony Club, with riding, and life):
This year, I achieved one of my big goals—earning my C-2 Horse Management and Eventing certification! It took a lot of time and effort, but it was completely worth it. One of my main goals for this season is to have a strong, successful year in the Novice division and hopefully move up to Training Level. Looking further ahead, a big dream of mine is to continue Eventing and eventually coach and mentor young riders who share the same passion and drive to improve that I have.

What is your favorite thing about Pony Club?
My favorite thing about Pony Club is the rallies and the amazing people in my club. I still remember driving home after meeting Woodbrook Hunt Pony Club for the first time and telling my mom, “These are my people.” I truly love my club, and I’ve made friendships with people I’ll always care about. Rallies are such a special part of Pony Club—you really get to bond with your team, and the best part is that everyone shares the same passion: we all love our ponies! I also love our annual summer camp! I always look forward to spending the week with my horse buddies—riding, swimming, laughing, and just having a blast. One of the best parts is the night hike, where we walk through the woods while the two oldest members tell scary stories. It’s such a fun mix of friendship, horses, and unforgettable memories!

What is one thing you would tell younger members first about joining Pony Club?
Don’t be afraid to jump in and get involved! A great icebreaker is to ask someone about their horse—everyone loves to talk about their pony. I’ve always felt so welcomed in my club, and once you put yourself out there, I’m sure you will, too!

What is your favorite way to prepare for a Horse Management certification?
A good set of flashcards never fails! I like to review mine every night before bed. It also really helps to have someone quiz you so you can simulate the real certification experience. One of the most important things to remember is to practice how you’re going to explain your answers to the Examiner—not just memorize the facts!

If you could try out any other discipline or activity, what would it be and why?
I’d love to try Trail! It’s so impressive how closely the horse listens to the rider while navigating different obstacles. You can really see the connection between them—the horse wants to please, and it shows just how strong their bond is. It looks like such a rewarding and fun challenge!

Describe your favorite Pony Club memory (give any details you remember):
My favorite Pony Club memory is from the 2024 Dressage rally. Everyone was so supportive, and when I started feeling nervous about my freestyle—especially after watching everyone else ride—my whole team came over to the warm-up ring to cheer me on. They made me laugh and reminded me to just have fun with it. My mom even snapped a photo of all of them standing around me while I was on my horse, smiling. It’s a moment I’ll never forget!

How did you get started with horses? Are you a member of any other equine organizations?
I’ve always loved horses—I was that little girl wearing horse shirts and yelling “Horsie!” out the car window whenever I saw one. I started out in 4-H after occasionally riding my grandparents’ horses, but I found my true home when I joined Woodbrook Pony Club. That’s where everything really clicked for me.

Have you done any specific special activities in Pony Club, such as International Exchanges, Recognition Programs, Virtual Competitions, etc.)? Tell us more.
I haven’t participated in any special Pony Club programs yet, like international exchanges or virtual competitions, but I love hearing about them! One of my favorite things was when my friend Alexis showed me a video of her virtual Show Jumping rally from when she was little with her old horse—it was so cute and fun to watch!

What makes you #PonyClubProud?
One thing that makes me super proud of my Pony Club is all the pins I’ve collected and put on my garment bag. I have a bunch of region pins, and every time I’m at an event, I love hanging them up and showing it off.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Pony Club has made me a better horse owner and, honestly, a better person overall. I can’t imagine where I’d be without it—it’s truly shaped who I am today!

---

---