Member Spotlight: Lyla Stotler

This Pony Club Member Spotlight, brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, features Lyla Stotler, a Mounted Games rider from Casanova-Warrenton Pony Club in the Virginia Region.

Age: 14

Club/Region: Casanova-Warrenton Pony Club/Virginia Region

Years in Pony Club: 4

Current certification (and/or certification currently working on): C-2 Horse Management, C-1 Eventing, C-2 Eventing Phase 1, D-3 Hunter Seat Equitation

What disciplines and/or activities are you involved in?
Mounted Games

Tell us about your current mount(s) and what you do with him:
Woody is my Mounted Games pony. I have also done Eventing on him, but he definitely prefers Mounted Games. He is super good at Mounted Games.

Tell us about your goals (with Pony Club, with riding, and life):
My goals in Pony Club were to make the international team for a Mounted Games exchange, and I was fortunate enough to meet the goal this summer when I went to the United Kingdom as part of the USPC team for the 2025 PCIA Mounted Games Exchange.

I grew up on a farm in Northern Virginia and have had horses all my life. I have been riding since I can remember. My goals for my future are to have a career in some kind of equine business. I would like to go to a college where I can take a horse and continue playing Mounted Games.

What is your favorite thing about Pony Club?
Definitely the friendships! I have met and got to know some of my favorite people. We have become like family, and I know we will be lifelong friends and supporters. I also really enjoy club clinic days. They are always something interesting, and you learn a lot from the different speakers and group leaders.

What is one thing you would tell younger members first about joining Pony Club?
To take advantage of every opportunity!

What is your favorite way to prepare for a Horse Management certification?
I don’t like to wait until the last minute—get everything organized and labeled ahead of time to give you enough time to study.

If you could try out any other discipline or activity, what would it be and why?
I have tried other disciplines, and Eventing is one I enjoy, because I love to jump and ride cross-country. Dressage is always a bit of a challenge for Woody and me.

Describe your favorite Pony Club memory (give any details you remember):
When I look back, I know it will be going overseas during the 2025 PCIA Mounted Games Exchange and getting that opportunity of a lifetime. Making the friendships that we made and having lifelong friends!

How did you get started with horses? Are you a member of any other equine organizations?
I live on a farm, and my mom has horses and has always ridden, so I became interested in horses from a very young age. I also belong to our local 4-H program in our county.

Have you done any specific special activities in Pony Club, such as International Exchanges, Recognition Programs, Virtual Competitions, etc.)? Tell us more.
I was fortunate enough to make the USPC team for the 2025 PCIA Mounted Games Exchange this year. We traveled to the United Kingdom and met other kids from all over. I will have great memories and lifelong friendships from that experience. Being able to ride different ponies that we borrowed was so much fun. All the ponies were great and knew Mounted Games already, and were awesome to ride. 

What makes you #PonyClubProud?
Learning so much about horses and all things related to horses. I have had so many people in Pony Club who have helped me become a much better rider. I am proud of the knowledge I have, as I have learned so much.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Pony Club is a great organization for anyone interested in horses. From mounted to unmounted knowledge, you have the opportunity to go as far as you want.

Thank you to our latest USPC Member Spotlight Lyla Stotler. Want to be featured in a future Member Spotlight? Fill out the form here.

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