How it all started: Having spent a lifetime in the saddle it was a foregone conclusion that Dawn, a qualified BHS instrucor,would pass on her love for horses. When looking for suitable ponies for her own children several years ago, she found it to be a very difficult task to source quality animals, gather information and deal with vendors.

Despite being a very accomplished horsewoman herself and having immense experience within the horse industry she found people were seldom honest in their representation of their ponies. She quickly realized other parents, especially non-horsey ones, must also be experiencing difficulty when trying to find the perfect pony for their little ones. It was not a difficult decision to found IrishPonys.com, in fact it was never a decision at all, more of a gradual becoming of a name to be trusted.

Dawn says of her business “ …this is a family run business in which we all play our part. We aim to ensure every detail is covered. The hard daily work that goes into each pony ensures our customers are getting ponies we have treated and handled as our very own. With our goals and policies set firmly in place we are happy to provide a service for parents who are searching for the ideal mount or a family companion.

We haven't earned our formidable reputation by simply being producers of ponies, but by being producers of ponies who have time and time again proved themselves to be exactly what we said they were. Remaining consistant in our careful selection of childrens ponies means we can confidently offer you, the client only the best.

Our dedication to you is equalled only by our devotion to our ponies. They too deserve the best!!!

Dawn's own experience of horses covers thirty years of not only competing in every disipline, but of teaching and accumulating a wealth of knowledge in horse management and equine behavior. She believes there is no substitute for time, patience and good quality training, a belief she holds true whether instructing young pilots or training ponies of the future.

Having an interest in working with natural horsemanship techniques, Dawn began to study the work of Connected Horsemanship founder Laura Domenica. This involvement has led to Dawn being responsible for developing Connected Horsemanship's new children's programme. The programme combines Dawn's passion for training the next generation of riders to a very high standard with Laura's immense knowledge of the horse. A formidible alliance to say the least!!!

When time allows Dawn is to be found with her beloved Pure Bred Arabian horse Shandor (Ibn Demir). Bred in Denmark Shandor is now a work in progress. Dawn has high hopes for the little horse both in the showing ring and dressage arena...."he's an amazing horse and has given me the biggest learning curve of my life. Having worked with him I am now an Arab convert and I know I will never find another like him. He's bred from world champions on both sides and I feel it everytime I look at him. He has the wow factor!!! I have finally found the horse I've always dreamed of."

Following in Dawn's footsteps are her four children, all avid riders. They share the many hours needed in the saddle and through their dedication each pony can be stamped truly "kiddie proof".

The eldest is daughter Naoise. At nine years of age Naoise rides well above her age and although younger than the required twelve years of age she has secured herself a place in Dressage Ireland's Youth Development Programme. Having many successes under her belt Naoise is most proud of her 2009 Equitation Award which she achieved with her talented pony Inse Ranger. This year will see her begin side-saddle riding and hopes to follow mum into the show-ring with it. Having a string of ponies currently in work Naoise is hopeful for a successful year ahead and has the RDS firmly in her sights. A mere stepping stone in her future plans of Olympic stardom!!!

Eight year old Cealan is just starting to show his ability in the saddle and after many difficult rides Cealan has now found his perfect match with Otto. The pair are very competetive and will be an unbeatable team next cross-country season. Cealan prefers the thrill of cross-country but spends alot of time in the arena perfecting flatwork too. He likes the idea of eventing and might one day find his niche in the sport.

Seren is looking forward to her final year of competing in lead-rein classes and hopes to follow her winning form off the lead with her main ride Little Miss Holly. Having been the youngest member to take part at pony camp Seren aims to attend again this summer, off the lead! Another RDS hopeful, Seren is determined not to be outdone by older brother and sister!!

Youngest member of the team is Eja who has just inherited his older brother's pony Echo. The pair are excited to begin their adventures together! Having competed in only one lead-rein class and coming away with a prize he considers himself quite unbeatable!!!