Who Said Little Horses Can’t?

Growing up, I remember being glued to the TV or computer screen, watching the diminutive Lenamore soar around the biggest, baddest courses in the sport of eventing with Caroline Powell. Standing at only 15.2h (generously, it seemed), he embodied a fiery agility and tenacity that I hadn’t seen before - he was bigger than his body. (If you’ve no idea who I’m talking about, do yourself a favor and watch him in action.)

Perhaps it was Lenamore who sparked a fascination in me, but I’ve always been enthralled by the small and mighties of horse sport. But over the years, I, like many, was sucked into the world of show jumping and bigger horses - the tall, strapping warmbloods that we so often see paired with our favorite riders these days became my norm. I started to ask myself - why? Why are we all amazed by the feats of a smaller mount (see: the fan clubs of horses like Theodore O’Connor, Lenamore, and even the racing heroes of yesteryear like Seabiscuit) but then continue riding the massive warmblood? As riders, what makes us drawn to the taller, stouter horse, and is this a justified preference?

Please click here to read the rest of the article as it appears on the Noelle Floyd website.

Article written by: Sophie Harris