How it all started: Having spent a lifetime in the saddle it was a foregone conclusion that Dawn, a qualified BHS instructor,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 correct and genuine information or history. Vendors were also difficult to communicate with as often they were pushy and simply ignored the fact that difficult, uneducated ponies were to be in the hands of small children.

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 alongside Laura. 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 eleven 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 the 2009 Equitation Award which she achieved with her talented pony Inse Ranger and once again acheived the same result in 2011 this time being selected riding Moelgarnedd Dymuinad (owned by Ms. Elizabeth Freeman). This year will see her begin side-saddle riding and hopes to follow mum into the show-ring with it and has hopes of qualifying not one but two ponies for Silver Spurs. Having a string of ponies currently in work Naoise is hopeful for a successful year ahead and has the RDS and farther afield firmly in her sights. A mere stepping stone in her future plans of Olympic stardom!!!

Ten 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 Moelgarnedd Bendith. They are hopeful of representing Irish Ponys and owner Elizabeth Freeman in their first ever showing season together. They will contest show hunter and working hunter classes as well as mountain and moorland as Bendie is a pure bred Welsh Pony. Cealan prefers the thrill of cross-country but is happy to spend time in the arena perfecting flatwork too. He likes the idea of eventing and might one day find his niche in the sport.

Second daughter Seren has just moved on from competing in lead-rein classes with her outstanding ride "Little Miss Holly" and hopes to follow her winning form off the lead with her main ride Inse Range who had many success with older sis Naoise. Seren is another dressage enthusiast, she is determined not to be outdone by older brother and sister!! At eight years of age Seren has plenty of time to develop her style but is determined not to be left behing her two older siblings.

Youngest member of the team is Eja (six)who has just inherited his older brother's pony Tangle Brook Echo. The pair are excited to begin their adventures together! Having competed in his one and only lead-rein class and coming away with a prize he considers himself quite unbeatable!!! This summer he hopes to get to a few more shows and perhaps move up a ride in pony club. Eja seems happiest hacking out and doing a bit at home so we will have to wait and see if he catches the competetive streak the other kids clearly have!!!