Member Spotlight: Cassidy Ranes

This Pony Club Member Spotlight, brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, features Cassidy Ranes, an all-around rider from Whitebrook Farm Pony Club Riding Center in the Southern California Region.

Age: 17

Center/Region: Whitebrook Farm Pony Club Riding Center/Southern California Region

Years in Pony Club: 11

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

What disciplines and/or activities are you involved in?
Dressage, Western, and Horse Management

Tell us about your current mount(s) and what you do with them:
I am currently riding my horse, Napoleon. We are showing the FEI Junior tests as well as training for Fourth Level Dressage. We also enjoy going on trail rides and going cow sorting.

Tell us about your goals (with Pony Club, with riding, and in life):
My riding goals range in a wide variety. I have been showing Dressage for many years, and I am working on qualifying for the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships presented by USDF in the summer of 2026. I plan on continuing to further my riding education by showing and earning my Dressage medals. I am preparing to take my H-A Horse Management and C-3 Dressage USPC certifications in the fall of 2026, as well as one day earning my “A” certification. I am invested in my riding career, and I plan on supporting my riding career by becoming a surgical technician.

What is your favorite thing about Pony Club?
My favorite thing about Pony Club is that I am always provided with opportunities to learn and grow, not only in my riding career, but in aspects of my life, as well. Pony Club has taught me to be responsible, respectful, and prepared. I enjoy how there are so many different disciplines that aim to support everyone with every interest. I always look forward to Quiz and Dressage rallies to grow my education and riding experience. As someone who is about to graduate high school, I am very grateful that Pony Club encourages people to progress throughout the levels by providing scholarship opportunities.

What is one thing you would tell new members about joining Pony Club?
Pony Club is amazing at teaching people to be studious and ambitious. I think that going to Horse Management lessons helps you become a better problem solver and more independent.

What is your favorite way to prepare for a Horse Management (HM) certification?
I study throughout the year at Horse Management lessons and work with other members in my club, as well as outside of my club. Studying in a group not only helps me learn, but also helps me stay motivated.

If you could try out any other discipline or activity, what would it be and why?
I would like to try Polocrosse, because I think it is a very exciting sport and also has a lot of technical aspects to it, as well.

Describe your favorite Pony Club memory:
My favorite Pony Club memory was going to USPC Festival Championships in 2024 with my family and friends. I got to ride a Pas De Deux with my mom, and the horse I brought was a horse I bought myself and started, trained, and showed without help from anyone else, so it made me feel very professional.

How did you get started with horses? Are you a member of any other equine organizations? 
I started riding horses at a very young age. My grandparents had horses, and they had a special small pony that I learned to ride on. I got to start off with riding western and trail riding. I also got to bring my small pony to my older sister’s Pony Club lessons for Eventing and ride around with the other Pony Club members.

What makes you #PonyClubProud?
Something that makes me Pony Club proud is that I have a better understanding of horses, not just in riding, but also in my knowledge. I think Pony Club is the best place to learn the skills and knowledge required to own, ride, and take care of a horse safely.

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

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