Photo 1

Hardin Towell! Before he became a top trainer and grand prix winner, this son of Jack Towell and sister of hunter star Liza Boyd was learning the ropes on the small pony Strawberry Kid.
Photo by Lee Photography

Photo 2

Yes, that’s Margie Goldstein Engle in a dress! In 1996 she took time out of her busy show schedule to wed veterinarain Steve Engle.

Photo 3

She went on to partner the incomparable Strapless to many regular conformation hunter titles in the ’90s, but in 1996 Emily Williams was a teenager riding the small junior hunter Smoking Gun when she wasn’t showing ponies.
Photo by Tricia Booker

Photo 4

Now, Dottie Barnwell-Areson is an assistant trainer at the powerhouse Heritage Farm, but in 1996 she was a pony kid riding in Florida with Jane Fennessy of Carriage Hill Farm. 
Photo by O’Neills Photography

Photo 5

Before she went on help the U.S. team to bronze at both the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2006 World Equestrian Games (Germany) and to be the first U.S. horse to win the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, Brentina was winning the USDF Region 7 championships at first level with Debbie McDonald aboard.
Photo by Sheri Scott 

Photo 6

Brant Gamma is a noted eventing photographer, but 20 years ago she was also hitting the cross-country course with reins in her hands, not a camera. She and Beamer won the ATC preliminary division at the Stuart Horse Trials (N.Y.). 
Photo by Terri Miller