We know!
We can't take the cuteness either!
Could SMR's youngest correspondents, Catherine Sharp and Ellie Sims, be any more adorable? Not only are they incredibly cute, they are the sweetest little girls, full of talent and personality! Catherine (at left) and Ellie (at right) joined us to model the new Animo pony line and beautiful Samshield helmets! They loved being attired as the most "Euro'ed out" kids in the States, in their stylish Animo Pony clothing and Samshield helmets!
Both girls ride with trainer and Grand Prix rider Susie Fried at
High Ridge Show Stables in Macon, Georgia.
Catherine Sharp:
In less than a year of showing, Catherine Sharp has hit the pony world with great success. Competing once in the cross rail and short stirrup divisions, she moved right into the Small Pony division for the winter circuit at HITS Ocala. With guidance from her trainer, Susie Fried, Catherine qualified for the US Pony Finals with a win in her her first Pony Medal class, as well as a Champion on her green pony in the Children's Hunter. At seven years old, Catherine is supportive of other riders and has a wonderful spirit! Susie wants Catherine to have a lot of fun, so that's just what she's doing! Keep an eye out: Catherine is ready to show the world that great riders come in all sizes!
Ellie Sims:
Ellie just got a new pony named Poprocks and has started doing local horse shows. She can't wait to move up to bigger shows with her trainer Susie Fried. Ellie is a straight A student and is always busy with extracurricular activities. Her favorite sport is riding, but she is also an accomplished softball and tennis player, holds a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do, and plays the piano. Ellie loves playing outdoors with her friends and her little brother.
We asked them to do a little "mini interview" for us,
(as if we could be any more dazzled by their cuteness)!
Catherine Sharp Q&A:
What was your very first riding lesson like? It was so long ago that I can't even remember it because I started lessons when I was 4. (Catherine is now the ripe old age of 7!)
How old were you when you told your parents you wanted to ride/wanted a pony? Um... two. I do remember sitting on Spirit bareback in the moonlight before my real lesson the next day.
What is the funniest thing one of your favortie ponies has ever done to make you laugh?
The funniest thing was (well he does a lot of funny things) when Glitterman, in the winter, would be let out in the pasture and begin to kick and buck and go "Bam" "Bam"! Our little Glitterman...
Have you ever fallen? were you scared? [Glitterman] dumped me. In the mud. I was laughing!
Who is your favortie Grand Prix Rider? Hmm... Miss Susie, of course!
If you could paint a ponies feet any color, what would it be? Light green!
Are you married? *giggles* Noooo *giggle* Why do they ask that?
If you and your friends could ride ponies from your barn to some place fun, where would you go? Six Flags? Would they go inside with you, or would you ask your moms to hold them for you? To the beach! I would let them go in the water with me. My mom would not be with me and my friends!
What are your riding goals for this year? To do really well at Pony Finals! To get Presto ready for Small Greens ( I think he is learning from Glitterman; he says "I want to do that!") and to get Champion in Small Ponies on Glitterman!
Of course, both girls love Grand Prix riders and fellow SMR models Taylor Land (USA) and Jessie Drea of Great Britian. Catherine is half English, so she thought it was extra cool that Jessie won The Pony of the Year at the POY Jumper Finals in England. Both girls have been surrounded by some impressive pony credentials, with Jessie's POY win and trainer Susie Fried's win at the USEF Pony Finals when she was 8 years old on a small pony Susie started herself named Silver Steps! Something tells us Catherine & Ellie are talented and determined enough to fill thier shoes!
Ellie Sims Q& A:
What was your very first riding lesson like? I was not scared, just excited
How old were you when you told your parents you wanted to ride/wanted a pony? By the age of two I wanted to ride ponies, so my Mom told me when I turned six I could ride. Needless to say, at age six, I didn't forget, so Mom had to hold up to the bargain!
Are you married? No, silly! Haha!
If you and your friends could ride ponies from your barn to some place fun, where would you go? Six Flags? Would they go inside with you, or would you ask your moms to hold them for you? I would ride my pony, Poprocks, to Disney world and ride him around the park and take him on all the rides if I could!
What are your riding goals for this year? [I want to] win more ribbons at shows, and next year I'd like to qualify for Pony Finals!
What is the funniest thing your pony has ever done to make you laugh? Last week I was petting my new pony, Poprocks, and he put his neck around me and tickled me!
Have you ever fallen? were you scared? Yes, a pony I was trying started bucking and then took off. So, umm, we sent him back! At least I landed on my feet, though!
Who is your favortie Grand Prix Rider? Susie Fried!
If you could paint your ponies feet any color what would it be? I think... blue.
