Isabelle Leibler may only be 13 years old, but she knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to go for it. This petite pony rider plans to ride Grand Prix one day, and she’s starting her journey by tearing up the FEI pony circuit in Florida.
“I want to go do the Pony Championships in Europe,” said Leibler. “In Europe it’s normal for ponies to compete in the CDIs in the international arenas.”
The Connecticut-based teen dreams of sending an entire dressage team to the Pony European Championships, if not this year, then next.
“I’m hoping it will become more popular in the United States,” she said. “It’s an FEI test. It’s good to get international experience.”
Leibler trains with Lars Petersen and competed Going West at the Wellington CDI***.
She was especially pleased with her trot work aboard the 10-year-old German Riding Pony in the Pony Team test.
“I’m very proud of him,” she said. “He’s not always the best-behaved show horse. He excels at the canter, but his trot was smooth and solid today. He was in the zone.”
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Although she was the only rider in her class, she said she still gained invaluable experience from competing at the same show as famous international riders like Anky van Grunsven and Steffen Peters.
“I’m star struck,” Leibler admitted. “It’s like seeing a celebrity at the mall. Just by watching these riders for five minutes, you learn so much.”
