Member Spotlight: Brandy Benedix

This Pony Club Member Spotlight, brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, features Brandy Benedix, an all-around English rider from Pickering Hunt Pony Club in the Eastern Pennsylvania Region.

Age: 18

Center/Region: Pickering Hunt Pony Club/Eastern Pennsylvania Region

Years in Pony Club: 7

Current certification: H-B Horse Management, C-2 Eventing

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

Tell us about your current mount(s) and what you do with them:
I own two horses! The first is a chestnut Thoroughbred named Dom, who was my first Eventing horse, who is currently semi-retired. My other horse is an Irish Sport Horse gelding named Benny with whom I am competing and hope to continue earning USPC certifications.

Tell us about your goals (with Pony Club, with riding, and in life):
My equine goals are to be a lifelong equestrian, USPC member, and Eventer!

What is your favorite thing about Pony Club?
My favorite things about USPC are the vast amount of knowledge I have learned through the equine management programs, the clinics USPC offers with professional riders, competition experience gained, friendships built with great riders and even better people, and lastly, my time as part of the National Youth Congress being a leader for the organization.

What is one thing you would tell new members about joining Pony Club?
I would tell a new member that perseverance is totally worth it! In the wise words of Eventing icon Boyd Martin: “Pressure is a privilege.”

What is your favorite way to prepare for a Horse Management (HM) certification?
Prepping for Horse Management certifications can feel taxing, but I would advise members to chunk out their studying, become an expert on your flash cards, and always study with friends because that makes it so much more fun!

If you could try out any other discipline or activity, what would it be and why?
If I could try out another discipline, I would totally become a cowgirl and go Western! How cool would that be?

Describe your favorite Pony Club memory:
My favorite USPC memories include competing at Championships in the discipline of Eventing at the Kentucky Horse Park and Tryon, along with being on the National Youth Congress this past year!

How did you get started with horses? Are you a member of any other equine organizations? 
I started riding at the age of six when my mom found a discounted horse camp on Facebook (bad idea!) But, since then, I have been a total equestrian. Currently, over 10 years later, I am a proud member of the United States Eventing Association (USEA) and USPC.

Have you done any special activities in Pony Club, such as International Exchanges, Recognition Programs, Virtual Competitions, etc.)? Tell us more.
This year, I had the opportunity to be part of the 2026 USPC National Youth Congress in Lincolnshire, Ill., at the 2026 USPC Convention. During that time, I was able to present ideas to the Pony Club organization as a whole. I loved this experience, the friends I made, and I am looking forward to hopefully being on the National Youth Board (NYB) in upcoming years!

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

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