Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on the passionate young rider, Maeve Sheldon. The 14-year-old rider of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a familiar face at WEC – Wilmington, as she competes in the Children’s Pony Hunter division with her pony, Snapdragon, and is a loyal friend to many exhibitors. We caught up with Maeve to learn more about her riding journey, her favorite things about WEC and her special bond with her pony!
WEC: Tell us how you got started riding.
My family has a bunch of riders in it. My uncle has been a jockey since he was little. He did point to point races on little Shetlands. My grandmother has also been riding since she was 12 and she always had this dream of getting me a horse when I turned 12!
Now, I ride with Sarah Sturges and Jeff Rundle. They started teaching me two and a half years ago. They have taught me so much about how to really ride it and do the sport the right way. I love the opportunities that have given me to grow as a rider.
WEC: Tell us about your pony, Snapdragon.
My uncle knew the people that originally owned ‘Snappy’ and I saw one video of him and I knew I wanted him! My uncle drove for a day and a half to get him to Cincinnati from Colorado. I show him in the Children’s Pony division now!
He is very funny. I have had him for four years. He likes to lick people when he gets treats. He was an orphan when he was a baby and he does not like other horses. My grandma has a farm at her house and he lives there. He has is own massive stall and he loves our chickens and the dogs. He loves to play with them on the farm. Our entire property is fenced in, so sometimes we shut the front gate and he gets to graze all around the property. He loves it. He loves his life!
WEC: How do you balance school and riding?
I am in ninth grade. I try to understand what assignments I have for the week when I am showing. I have block day in school where I get an hour and a half of work time. I take all that time to get all of my work done and submit assignments so I have more time for riding. Normally, I go to the barn after school and I do my homework after that. Since I won’t be doing soccer anymore, I will have a lot more time to go to the barn!
WEC: Tell us about doing your own care for Snappy.
One thing about me is I always like to know how my horse is feeling and what his attitude is like before I go in the ring. Doing my own care gives me the chance to understand those things. I just love to do all myself. I like to make sure I am on top of all my stuff and if I forget something it is on me!
WEC: What is your favorite thing about showing at WEC?
I love showing at WEC. I have been showing here for four years now and it has transformed a lot. It has developed so much. I used to show in the R+L Annex and it looks so much fancier now! I also love the activities after the show. Last year, my favorite one was the Gingerbread House Contest, which is coming up again. This year, my favorite was definitely the costume contest.
Even when I am at the show from 4:30am to 8pm, the days are so fun here. I have gotten to know so many people and trainers here. Everyone is always so friendly and supportive in the aisles and the barns. A lot of my friends ride at David Beisel’s barn, so I always have a group of friends here that I love to hang out with. After a long day of showing, we like to walk around bareback with each other and it makes showing at WEC so fun.
WEC: What are your riding goals for the 2025 season?
I want to go to pony finals in 2025! I would also love to make it to all of the indoor shows at the end of the year.
WEC: What is your favorite thing about riding?
Being with the horses and the people. The community makes it the fun sport that I love so much.
WEC: If Snappy could be any other animal what would he be?
He would be a goat! He eats anything and it so food motivated. He is really loud too. In the mornings, when I stay the night at my grandmothers, I always hear him at 6am whinnying and pawing to get out of his stall to eat grass!
Thank you, Maeve, for taking the time to speak with us! We look forward to seeing you back soon and wish you the best of luck on your journey to Pony Finals 2025!