“Nik Nak” and “Star”

1998,  Shetland cross pony mare, 12hh and 11.2 hh, respectively

Star and Nik Nak were the first ponies Julie trained to drive. They were born only one day apart from each other, and purchased at just 4 months old. On the hunt to find a pony for her kids, the breeder sweet-talked Julie into buying both, giving her a killer deal. They were originally going to be riding ponies but, being so small, Julie was perplexed on how to train them. So instead, she said to Tom, “Well, I’ve always wanted to learn to drive - so now is the time to do that!”

As they got stronger and able to carry Julie’s petite frame, she eventually broke them both to ride. Both ponies have competition records, but Nik Nak proved to be a very hot pony and really excelled in combined driving, while Star is a wonderful lesson pony for kids and adults. They both are talented ponies, have been driven single, pair, tandem and even four in hand.