Member Spotlight: Tilly Westrich

This Pony Club Member Spotlight, brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products, features Tilly Westrich, an all-around rider from Miami Valley Pony Club and Stillwater Pony Club in the Midsouth Region.

Age: 15

Club/Region: Miami Valley Pony Club and Stillwater Pony Club/Midsouth Region

Years in Pony Club: 6

Current certification (and/or certification currently working on): C-2 Horse Management, C-2 Eventing, C-1 Dressage

What disciplines and/or activities are you involved in?
Dressage, Eventing, Tetrathlon, and Mounted Games

Tell us about your current mount(s) and what you do with her:
My current mount is Maisie; her show name is Dixie Chip. She is an off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB). We purchased Maisie as a 6-year-old just two years ago, as a green horse only nine months from her last race. She had over 40 starts and was a consistent winner. I have been slowly bringing her up and have been very proud of the maturity that this last year has brought. We do mainly Eventing, but also enjoy some Dressage, and we love Tetrathlons.

Tell us about your goals (with Pony Club, with riding, and life):
My goals in riding are to run Training Level in Eventing the summer before college with Maisie. My current goals in Pony Cub are to work for my C-3 and H-B, which I hope to accomplish next summer. My life goal is to become an emergency flight nurse for the Air Force. I would like to attend the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for college. During college, I would like to continue riding horses and run cross-country.

What is your favorite thing about Pony Club?
My favorite thing about Pony Club are the friends and connections I’ve made, along with the support I’ve been given. I have made amazing lifelong friendships, people who support me and want to see me shine. It’s such an amazing environment. I always feel encouraged to do my best and push myself especially from the leaders.

What is one thing you would tell younger members first about joining Pony Club?
One thing I would tell a new member is to never give up, be coachable, and volunteer whenever possible. Pony Club is definitely not easy; it’s a lot of hard work. You will be frustrated, and you will not see the changes right away, but they will come. Pony Club is where all your hard work will be rewarded, and because of the challenges you face, you will truly feel like you have earned the reward. I love how Pony Club prioritizes the treatment of your horse while keeping it fun with riding. I’ve been in Pony Club for six years, and I’m just now starting to understand and have the level of success I feel I earned. Pony Club is a process, and what you put into it is what you will get out of it.

What is your favorite way to prepare for a Horse Management certification?
My favorite way to prepare for a Horse Management certification is to study with friends in an active way. I am definitely a hands-on learner, but struggle to keep focus. My friends help me to stay on task while I learn, which is a big help to my accomplishments. I have two amazing friends in my club at the same certification level as me who help me strive to be my best and push myself.

If you could try out any other discipline or activity, what would it be and why?
In my time in Pony Club, I’ve done Tetrathlon, Mounted Games, Polo, Eventing, Quiz, and even Carriage Driving. I feel like I’ve done most things, but something I could try at a mega rally would be Dressage or Show Jumping.

Describe your favorite Pony Club memory (give any details you remember):
My favorite Pony Club memory would be my international exchange. I met some truly amazing girls from other countries, like the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. I spent three weeks bonding with them, and people truly underestimate how close 22 girls get while sharing a bedroom with one bathroom. This leads me to my favorite memory. At the end of the competition on our last day, the Canadian girls ran up to me crying, with a big hug, because they were going to miss me. This is my favorite Pony Club memory, because for me it represents the friendships made, connecting with fellow Pony Club members. It helped me realize that while, yes, Pony Club is about Horse Management and riding, it’s also about the incredible people you meet. To me, no Pony Club memory is greater than that one because I felt truly supported and loved by girls I had only known for a little over three weeks. At that exchange, I’ve never felt more included and part of something bigger. When in Pony Club, you’re surrounded by really dedicated horsemen who understand the struggle and effort it takes to make it in the horse world, who encourage you to be your best self.

How did you get started with horses? Are you a member of any other equine organizations?
Ever since I was little, horses have been something I loved. My neighbor across our creek owned horses that I would go over and visit. My parents did not grow up with horses, and while they were happy to have me visit, I don’t think they ever really thought about encouraging more than an occasional pony ride at the fair. When I turned five, my dad passed away. When you’re that young, you don’t understand or process death. An organization named Fernside recommended animal therapy to my mom. She decided to give horses a chance and signed me up for a camp. This camp was called Leg Up at Old Stone Riding Center in Hamilton, Ohio. They started me on my horse journey, and I soon started taking lessons where I thrived. My mom always says she had this “Ah heck” moment in their cabbage patch field where she realized this was it for me. I may have taken a jump that was way bigger than I should have, but it helped her see that I truly loved riding and that it gave me confidence and tenacity she did not see in other kids. Old Stone’s amazing program dramatically changed my life, and I am so thankful for the risk my mom took signing me up and trusting the owner, Julie Bath. To this day, Mrs. Bath is still one of my biggest supporters, and I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done. I am a part of the United States Eventing Association (USEA), United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), and Mounted Games Across America (MGAA).

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. It was truly my favorite thing I’ve done in Pony Club. It changed my life. For my exchange, I went to the United Kingdom (UK) with teams from Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Australia. While in the UK, I learned so much about the culture, foods, traditions, and differences in how we speak. But not only did I learn about the UK, I also learned more about the other countries. I got to try Canadian maple syrup. I learned that Australia has these farms called masses that are over 1,000 acres. I love york tea, tea cakes, and Cadbury chocolate so much that I bought some and brought them home. And how does New Zealand not have snakes?! The exchange really made me step out of my comfort zone, try new things, and meet amazing people. The exchange has given me connections all around the world. Now while yes, the exchange is about the competition and the horses, you still learn so much about the culture and have so much fun. I loved the balance between horses and fun. While we went to a horse show, toured amazing barns, competed, and played Mounted Games, we also went zip lining, went to a trampoline park, played laser tag, and did an escape room. I feel people usually get the concept that people from other countries are so different, but I truly learned that no matter where you’re from, you’re all the same, no matter the country. I bonded with some truly amazing girls, who I’m already making plans to visit. I was so thankful for my amazing team that went with me, and I am so proud of all of them. Your success is no greater than the people who helped get you there. International exchanges are something I recommend to everyone. Even if you’re scared you’re not good enough, or you have worries, or don’t want to leave your parents, I promise you it’s worth it to step out of your comfort zone and try.

What makes you #PonyClubProud?
Receiving a perfect Horse Management score! My Horse Management Organizer, Clare, always reminds us that the one phase we have total control of is Horse Management. Receiving a perfect Horse Management score or a perfect turnout award always fills me with pride. It’s a confirmation that all my hard work and dedication was worth it.

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

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