Member Spotlight: Anna Erickson

This Pony Club Member Spotlight, brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, features Anna Erickson, an all-around English rider from Hidden “K” Stables Pony Club Riding Center in the Carolina Region.

Age: 19

Center/Region: Hidden “K” Stables Pony Club Riding Center/Carolina Region

Years in Pony Club: 8

Current certification (and/or certification currently working on): H-B Horse Management, A Eventing

What disciplines and/or activities are you involved in?
Eventing, Dressage, Show Jumping, Horse Management, and Quiz

Tell us about your current mount(s) and what you do with them:
Currently, I am leasing Unmarked Bills, Chris Talley’s former 5* horse. We are competing at the 2* level in Eventing. He is the best cross-country horse I could ask for; he takes such good care of me and always brings us home safe. He is very opinionated and tries to get away with things all the time, so even though he is so experienced, you have to tell him what to do. He is cuddly in the barn and acts like the king he is!

I also have a 10-year-old Thoroughbred mare named Ruth who is getting a year off but will hopefully Event in the future. She is the sweetest mare ever, and I love her. I have been competing a few horses for Wits End Eventing over the summer and am planning on taking Sea of Dreams WE to college to compete in the next school year. I have been having a good time bringing her along.

Tell us about your goals (with Pony Club, with riding, and in life):
My goals are to complete my H-A, and if I ever have the horse, I would love to work towards my triple A! I am going to college to study animal science next year after my gap year this year, where I am working for Chris Talley to hopefully move up to Intermediate/3*! My riding goals are to go as far as I can in the sport, but I mostly enjoy the partnership I get to create with each horse I spend time with. I want riding to always stay fun and to enjoy it for as long as I can! My life goal is to become a veterinarian!

What is your favorite thing about Pony Club?
I love how it is based on the care of the horse. I have learned so many valuable lessons on horse care and feel very educated on what to do in an emergency. It is a great way for younger kids to learn how to care for their pony, and it gives a great foundation for general horse knowledge. The manuals are so informative, and I feel much more confident taking care of horses with the knowledge Pony Club has given me. I also love the friends you get to make at Pony Club events! It’s amazing to meet people who ride and are your age.

What is one thing you would tell younger members about joining Pony Club?
I would tell new members to stick it out! The certifications can seem intimidating at first, and I truly never thought I would make it as far as I have, but with grit and the love of the horse, I have accomplished so much! If you want to learn how to care for your mount, then Pony Club is a great way to do that!

What is your favorite way to prepare for a Horse Management (HM) certification?
My favorite way to prep for an HM certification is to write down word-for-word what I need to say for each block in the exam. This helps me memorize the information and feel more confident answering questions because I already know what to say. This prevents me from getting more nervous and forgetting the knowledge.

If you could try out any other discipline or activity, what would it be and why?
I would try Foxhunting, since cross-country is my favorite phase and it looks so fun.

Describe your favorite Pony Club memory:
My favorite Pony Club memory was passing my A Eventing with my best friend, Lillian Oakley. We have been best friends for 10 years and have completed all of our Pony Club certifications together. It really felt like a “we made it” moment when we found out we had passed the top level. We have spent countless hours preparing, cleaning tack, studying, and more, and to see it finally pay off was amazing. I am so proud of us and wouldn’t have wanted to go through Pony Club with anyone else by my side.

How did you get started with horses? Are you a member of any other equine organizations? 
My grandmother gifted me horse camp for my 9-year-old birthday, and I have been taking lessons ever since! I am a member of the United States Eventing Association (USEA) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

Have you done any specific special activities in Pony Club, such as international exchanges, recognition programs, virtual competitions, etc.)? Tell us more.
I have not, but my best friend Lillian Oakley was part of the USPC team at the 2025 PCIA Inter-Pacific Exchange!

What makes you #PonyClubProud?
Seeing all of the younger kids learn to enjoy horses through Pony Club.

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

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