Thanks to the power of the Internet and the passion of dressage legend Robert Dover, a 16-year-old cancer survivor in New Jersey has a new best friend and confidant – an American Shetland Pony named Ranger. When a request went out to the equestrian community from the sharingVillage Driving for Surviving group to help find a pony for a young man named Gary, Dover joined forces with the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry (ASPC/AMHR) and found the perfect match.

Dover met Gary while at the National Championships at Gladstone and knew immediately he wanted to help with the search for a new pony. Dover used his voice by writing on his popular website about Gary and his quest for a driving pony. Dover shared the story that Gary had lost his most recent pony to Cushing’s disease, a pony named Boxcar Willy that Jim and Robin Fairclogh had donated to the program. With the setback of Willy’s death and Gary’s need for a new pony, Dover sent out a plea to the equestrian community. “I am absolutely positive we can all put our heads and hearts together and accomplish this goal in record time,” Dover wrote on his website.

In short order the ASPC/AMHR stepped up to help, donating a 13-year-old bay and white pinto Shetland gelding named Kid Rocket Ranger to Gary. Ranger already knew how to ride and drive and had been High Point pinto pony for his area in halter and driving.

Thanks to the generosity of the ASPC/AMHR, and the dedication of Dover, Gary and Ranger are now a team and getting to know each other.

For more information on Shetland Ponies, visit www.shetlandminiature.com or call 309-263-4044. For more information on Driving for Surviving, a Pediatric Equestrian Carriage Driving Program for Life, visit www.sharingvillage.org or call 908-234-0334.

Photo: Courtesy of sharingVillage
Gary and his new American Shetland Pony Ranger have become a great team and Gary is looking forward to driving and competing Ranger.