Pony Club Members Explore Topics at the 2025 USPC Research Project Fair, Supported by Kentucky Equine Research

Horses constantly leave their owners scratching their heads. Sometimes it’s wondering why a horse behaves a certain way; other times it’s trying to decide on the best way to deliver care or maximize performance. Recently, young equestrians went on a deep dive in search of answers as part of the United States Pony Clubs Research Project Fair.

The USPC Research Project Fair is held annually in conjunction USPC Convention, hosted this year in Traverse City, Michigan. Over the course of two days, Pony Club members impressed the judges with experimental projects and literature reviews on topics that included the effect of post-exercise grooming on heart rate, conformation and performance, the equine microbiome, and much more.

As part of Kentucky Equine Research’s continued support for this event, Shawna Herrala, director of digital technology for the company and a Pony Club graduate, returned to serve on the judging panel and provided guidance for future projects during an educational workshop.

“I am honored to be invited back to judge the Research Project Fair,” said Herrala. “From younger members still in elementary school to college-aged participants, each year I am inspired getting to see so many projects that are above and beyond what would be expected of their respective grade level.”

Winners Share a Special Connection to Kentucky Equine Research

Six months before the Research Project Fair, the High Score Group Literature Review winners, Isabella M. and Imani H., had never met. Even though they only lived an hour apart in Southern California, it would take a trip to Kentucky for Pony Club Championships and a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Kentucky Equine Research farm to bring the budding scientists together.

“We got to see a palatability trial, how to record vital signs during a research study, but the most unforgettable part was the poop squeezing,” said Isabella. “One of the KER interns was walking us through the steps of an in vitro fermentation study and asked for volunteers. I immediately raised my hand and so did Imani. Right off the bat, I’m like, ‘she’s pretty cool.’ Together we prepared the manure sample: blending, weighing, and sealing it to study the fermentation of different feeds.”

Later that night at dinner, a new research team was formed. The two young women learned a valuable lesson about the importance of collaboration in research, “My favorite part of the partnership was being able to work with someone who is as passionate about horses as I am,” said Isabella. “It opened my eyes to how much can be accomplished when working together, and how teamwork can foster creativity.”

Are you interested in a career in equine research? The Kentucky Equine Research internship program offers college students the practical experience necessary to understand and implement research protocols. Kentucky Equine Research interns participate in the performance of standardized exercise tests on a high-speed treadmill, recording of data during experiments, and collection of samples during digestion and exercise studies. Learn more.

2025 USPC Research Project Fair Winner (In-Person)

Individual Experimental Project (9-10 years of age)

First Place: “Don’t Be Salty” Emmalee A., Carolina Region

Individual Experimental Project (11-13 years of age)

First Place: “Which Type of Boot Traps the Most Heat?” Emma S., Midsouth Region

Second Place: “All in Stride” Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region

Third Place: “Paige’s Potion (Homemade Pony Shampoo) vs. Store Brands” Paige R., Red River and Northern Lakes Regions

Individual Experimental Project (14-17 years of age)

First Place: “Alfalfa Hay Field Analysis” Juliana D., Sierra Pacific Region

Second Place: “Does Grooming Reduce Horses’ Heart Rate After Exercise?” Andoline H., Capital Region

High Score Individual Experimental Project: Juliana D., Sierra Pacific Region

Individual Literature Review (9-10 years of age)

First Place: “EPM: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment” Nathalie W., Red River Region

Individual Literature Review (11-13 years of age)

First Place: “Women in “Horse”-tory” Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region

Second Place: “Toxic Plants: A Ticking Time Bomb in Your Pasture” Elaine F., Great Lakes Region

Third Place: “Mirror, Mirror, on the…Whorl?” Lily A., Northern Lakes Region

Individual Literature Review (14-17 years of age)

First Place: “Lethal White Foal Syndrome” Cadence O., Lake Shore Region

Individual Literature Review (18-25 years of age)

First Place: “Unraveling the Equine Microbiome: Investigating Its Impact on Health Outcomes” Claire R., Central New England Region

Second Place: “Shipping Safely: Leg Protection While Travelling” Anne Laurel D., Carolina Region

High Score Individual Literature Review: Aubree Rose S., Lake Shore Region

Group Literature Review

First Place: “The Effects and Treatment of Anaplasmosis in Horses” St. Augustine Pony Club (Kimberly C., Elle C., Frank C.), Delmarva Region

Second Place: “A Study on Moon Blindness” Lake Geneva Area Equestrian and Pony Club Center (Rachel S. and Lius A.), Lake Shore Region

Third Place: “Ingredient Differences in the MSM Supplements” Traverse Bay Pony Club (Marian W., Jacquelyn W., Liilah D., and Clara M.)

Group Experimental Project

First Place: “What is the Best Cleaner to Remove Mildew from Leather Tack?” Painted Palominos (Hayden I., Hailey I., Cale H., and Jordan H.), North Central Prairie Region

Second Place: “Frolicking into Footing” Frosty Foals (James M. and Reagan C.) North Central Prairie Region

2025 USPC Research Project Fair Winner (Virtual)

Individual Experimental Project (9-10 years of age)

First Place: “Beat Beat – Do you Know?” Landon B., Southern California Region

Individual Experimental Project (11-13 years of age)

First Place: “The Effect of Body Protector Thickness on Force of Impact” Evie M., Virginia Region

Second Place: “Grooming and Recovery” Rebekah D., Southern California Region

Third Place: “Does the Horse’s Shoulder Angle Affect Their Performance?” Aiden B., Southern California Region

Individual Experimental Project (14-17 years of age)

First Place: “Quantifying Impact Resistance: An Experimental Analysis of Force Distribution on Equestrian Helmets Under Simulated Weight Drop Conditions” Madelyn M., Eastern Pennsylvania Region

Second Place: “The Effectiveness of Anthelmintics in Horses” Ella A., Eastern Pennsylvania Region

High Score Individual Experimental Project: Madelyn M., Eastern Pennsylvania Region

Individual Literature Review (9-10 years of age)

First Place: “Horses in World War I” Benji S., Lake Shore Region

Individual Literature Review (14-17 years of age)

First Place: “Longevity and the Equine Gut Microbiome” Victoria Z., Northwest Region

Second Place: “A Retrospective Look at Arabian vs. Thoroughbred Breeding” Isabella M., Southern California Region

Third Place: “Should You Remove Wolf Teeth?” Brice D., Sierra Pacific Region

Fourth Place: “Horse Brain” Isabella E., Old Dominion Region

Individual Literature Review (18-25 years of age)

First Place: “A Look Within: Pill Cameras Changing Equine Medicine,” Jocelyn H., Delmarva Region

Individual Literature Review (26 years of age and up)

First Place: “No Sweat? Big Problem!: Anhidrosis” Lydia E., South Region

High Score Individual Literature Review: Victoria Z., Northwest Region

Group Literature Review

First Place: “A Study on Moon Blindness” Isabella M. and Imani H., Southern California Region

Second Place: “Taking the Suspense Out of Suspensory Ligament Injuries” The Abracadabra Twins (Abigail B., and Lilliana S.), Midsouth Region

Group Experimental Project

First Place: “Ideal Conformation of Eventers” Sarah F., and Aly H., Rio Grande Region

Second Place: “Mares vs. Gelding Treat Preference” Brier Bank Farm (Kaylee R., Kora G., Adler W., and Lux H.) North Central Prairie Region

Third Place: “Do Horses Prefer Fresh Carrots or Carrot Flavored Treats?” Freya J., and Tinley O., Rio Grande Region