Meet your Nominees:

Shannon Barnes

Jill Rabenstein

Jenifer Morrissey

Elise Miller

Shannon grew up in a small community in midwest Kansas. Married with three grown children, Shannon’s experience while she was working, among other things, included direct patient centered health care delivery and nonprofit 501 c 3 organization development. . Shannon’s love for horses sparked when she was about five years old, when her grandfather let her ride a pony. That first ride is still vivid in her memory, and she carries a love for all things horse with her to this day. All things horse turned to all things pony in 2020, when Shannon read an internet article about Fell Ponies. Having raised several Arabian-Saddlebreds, the idea of buying a PONY came almost as a surprise, however THOSE ponies, just the novelty of THAT kind of pony, carried an magnetic attraction for Shannon. The hunt was on. Shannon finally found her pony, a yearling filly named Royalcrest Mirabelle, and immediately set out on the trip to bring her home. Strictly a recreational rider, Shannon has found Mirabelle to be a wonderful pony partner. Riding, driving, parading and more, Mirabelle captures quite a lot of attention everywhere she goes. People always ask “What kind of (horse) is that?” opening up numerous opportunites to explain she is a PONY, a FELL pony. Mirabelle enjoys soaking up all the attention while everyone she meets falls in love with her.

Jill Rabenstein started her pony adventures first as an adult amateur rider and “show mom” to her son who participated in Pony Club, Show Jumping, and Eventing. This role, along with many hours of horse show volunteering, allowed her to learn the ins and outs of horse management, show organization, and cooperative planning.

Jill purchased her first Fell Pony, Moonlit Truffles, in 2023. Since then, Jill has enthusiastically been promoting the Fell Pony to those in the horse community around her, attending riding clinics and shows. She champions the Fell Pony not only as an outstanding riding partner with its energy, sharp mind, and even temperament, but also as a lovely family pony that everyone in her household loves to visit with and handle. 

Jenifer Morrissey is honored to have been nominated once again to stand for election to FPSNA Council. I have been serving as Treasurer since the EGM in the spring of 2026 and have been supporting the other officers in their roles as they have supported me in mine. We're a good team! If elected again, I look forward to continuing our work implementing the new bylaws and moving FPSNA forward. The perspective I have gained from 26 years with the breed have helped me help our organization, and at the same time I have enjoyed learning from others with different experiences than mine. Together we make it possible for FPSNA to achieve its mission to promote and preserve the Fell Pony. Thank you for the opportunity to serve!

Elise Miller first discovered Fell Ponies in 2004 and was immediately inspired by a visit to Mustahevonen Farm in Rainier, Washington. Soon afterward, she purchased her first Fell mare, Newfarm Minneola, beginning a journey that has grown into more than two decades with the breed.  Since then, Elise has maintained a small breeding herd in northwest Washington, producing one or two foals in select years. She has enjoyed exploring the breed's remarkable versatility through trail riding, recreational drill team, dressage, and trail obstacles.  One of the things Elise appreciates most about Fell Ponies is their adaptability and willingness to excel in a variety of disciplines. She also enjoys encouraging and supporting others as they discover the breed and develop partnerships with their own ponies.  Committed to continually learning about the breed, Elise has traveled to the United Kingdom to see Fell Ponies in their native homeland and to meet many of the longtime breeders and stewards who have helped preserve their history and characteristics.

Taylor Bie

Kimberly Dunn

David Mikko

Taylor Bie first discovered Fell Ponies over 8 years ago at a local horse park when she first saw “Littletree Limited Edition” and fell in love from there. From there Taylor had always admired the Fell Pony breed and hoped to own her own one day. A few years later Taylor had the opportunity to show an incredible imported mare and that is where the true journey started. From there Taylor and her family ended up importing a filly and a pregnant mare from the UK with the hopes of having a very small and select breeding program while being able to show off how incredibly versatile these ponies are, which is what she appreciates the most about the breed. From lessons, to showing, to fox hunting, to carriage driving, to mounted shooting, to trail rides the Fell Ponies always step up to the occasion. Taylor is committed to help preserve and promote these wonderful ponies while always continuing her education.

Owner/Operator Fiddlehead Pony Farm and Get Grounded Equine Training ~ Pleasant Hill, Oregon

I acquired my first Fell pony early 2012, a yearling colt bred by Braeberry Farm. Within a few short months, I was given the opportunity to provide training services to Braeberry young stock and acquiring a 2nd pony. Training this wonderful breed expanded to promoting, marketing, lessons and mentorships. I have acquired so many wonderful memories and experiences with these ponies, from horse camping trips, to promotional and competitive events, to breed demos and teaching clinics.

In 2016, my farm birthed the first purebred Fiddlehead foal setting me on a long term committed future of breeding, raising and training Fell ponies. With a preservationist mind-set, I set out in late 2022 organizing bloodline data of the North American effective population (2017-forward) as well as keeping track of their progeny as the prospective future effective population. I have used this data to help determine what bloodlines would be beneficial to import for diversity, as well as help others determine good domestic matches for out-crossing line-bred ponies.

Over the last 11 years, I have enjoyed volunteering in the following ways: Volunteer Summer 2026: FPSNA Bylaws Revision Project Advisory Committee.

Member 8/2022 to present: Elijah Bristow State Park Community Advisory Committee (representing the equestrian users) for the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council. Oregon.

Member 10/2025 to present: Equestrian Friends of Mount Pisgah North Bottom Lands Committee, Eugene, OR. (EFMP is a NPO Stakeholder group that provides a variety of support for the park.)

2017-2019, provided educational write-ups for the FPSNA newsletter.

2013-2015, volunteer and support for projects and events hosted by Mustangs to the Rescue in Central Oregon. Free clinics, gravel pack trail work, judging fund raising competitions. This volunteer work also provided opportunities to showcase the Fell pony breed.

Wm. David Mikko is a dedicated Fell Pony breeder and long‑time advocate for the breed, with nearly a decade of practical, hands‑on experience. His journey with Fell Ponies began in 2016, when he acquired a colt from Felllegend Farm in Northern California, an experience that launched his continuing commitment to the preservation, versatility, and responsible breeding of the Fell Pony.

Since that time, David has raised close to twenty Fell Ponies through his Drycreek breeding program. Today, the Drycreek herd consists of six brood mares and one stallion, with periods where two stallions have been maintained. His breeding program emphasizes sound conformation, strong temperaments, and usefulness true to the breed’s traditional purpose. Progeny from Drycreek can be found across the United States, reflecting the program’s national reach and reputation.

In the summer of 2022, David relocated his Fell Pony herd from the west coast of California to Upstate New York. He greatly values raising Fell Ponies in this region, where mares and foals experience all four seasons, including a long and often harsh winter. He believes these conditions contribute positively to durability, hardiness, and overall development—qualities that have defined the Fell Pony for centuries.

David particularly appreciates the breed’s versatility. His ponies are trained to pull and drive, as well as work confidently under saddle, demonstrating the Fell Pony’s adaptability for both traditional and modern uses. Through breeding, training, and mentorship, he actively promotes a well‑rounded and functional vision for the breed.

David brings a perspective shaped by geographic diversity, practical breeding experience, and a sincere commitment to collaboration within the Fell Pony community. He is dedicated to supporting responsible breeders, encouraging education, and helping to ensure a strong and sustainable future for the Fell Pony throughout the region.

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Annual FPSNA (Fell Pony Society of North America) Membership 

For the upcoming membership year, FPSNA offers three membership options:

·                FPSNA Individual Membership $40/yr
Individual Membership is for one adult member and includes the right of motion and voting and participation in other membership matters.

·                FPSNA Family Membership $55/yr
Family Membership includes two adult members residing in the same household and up to four children under age 18 residing in the same household. The two adult members have the right of motion and voting and participation in other membership matters,  providing two votes per Family Membership.

·                FPSNA Breeder Complimentary Membership $60/yr (pd by your breeder)
A breeder may purchase an individual 2 year membership for any of their clients who purchase a pony from them. Individual Membership is for one adult member and includes the right of motion and voting and participation in other membership matters.

FPSNA members enjoy a variety of benefits designed to keep our Fell Pony community connected and involved:

Members will be bound by the FPSNA bylaws, FPSNA code of conduct and decisions of FPSNA council.

The rights of voting members include:

• Vote in FPSNA elections and organizational decisions

• Right of motion and voting in FPSNA organizational decisions, including the right to call and Extraordinary General Meeting.

• Nominate eligible members for FPSNA Council positions

• When the member has a voting membership in good standing for twenty four months preceding nomination, they are eligible to be nominated to serve on Council.

• Advertise your farm, stallion, or pony for sale on the FPSNA website

• The rights of members also include:
  
  

• Submit a free foal announcement

• Submit stories, news, and photos for the Fell Pony Express

• Participate in the Performance Premium & Awards Program (PPA)

• Access FPSNA educational materials, newsletters, and member resources

• Receive assistance when working with the Fell Pony Society (FPS)

• Participate in FPSNA meetings, events, and activities

FPSNA Proxy & Mail-In Voting Procedures

FPSNA voting members may vote by proxy or mail-in ballot when these voting options are offered for an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.

Proxy Voting

A voting member may authorize another eligible FPSNA voting member to vote on their behalf.  Please contact fpsnasecretary@gmail.com for proxy voting instructions.

Mail-In Voting

Members wishing to vote by mail may will need to email fpsnasecretary@gmail.com for instructions. 

Ballot Processing

Each eligible member may cast only one vote on each matter. Duplicate ballots or votes will not be counted.

FPSNA Council will appoint two balloting officials to verify voter eligibility, process ballots and proxies, and maintain the confidentiality of individual votes.

Questions

For questions regarding voting, ballots, or proxies, please contact:

FPSNA Secretary
fpsnasecretary@gmail.com

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FPSNA Council Nomination Acceptance

Date: ______________________

Dear FPSNA Council,

I, ________________________________, accept my nomination for a position on the FPSNA Council.

I confirm that I am a member in good standing with the Fell Pony Society of North America (FPSNA) and understand the responsibilities associated with serving on the Council. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, participating in regularly scheduled Zoom meetings, upholding the FPSNA Bylaws and Code of Conduct, and fulfilling the duties associated with my assigned Council position.

FPSNA Council positions include Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Promotions Director, Preservation Director, and Ambassador.

By submitting this acceptance, I confirm my willingness to serve on the FPSNA Council if elected by the membership.

Electronic Signature & Submission

Please email this completed form to fpsnasecretary@gmail.com.

The form must be submitted from the email address associated with your current FPSNA membership. Submission from that email address will serve as your electronic signature and confirmation that you accept the nomination.

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FPSNA Council Nomination Form

Date: ______________________

Dear FPSNA Council,

I, ________________________________, member in good standing with FPSNA, nominate: ________(May include multi people you wish to nominate)____________ for a position on the FPSNA Council.

I believe this individual to be a member in good standing with the Fell Pony Society of North America (FPSNA) and understand that service on the FPSNA Council includes responsibilities such as participating in regularly scheduled Zoom meetings, upholding the FPSNA Bylaws and Code of Conduct, and fulfilling the duties associated with an assigned Council position.

FPSNA Council positions include Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Promotions Director, Preservation Director, and Ambassador.

By submitting this nomination, I confirm my support for this individual to be considered for election to the FPSNA Council.

Electronic Signature & Submission

Please email this completed form to fpsnasecretary@gmail.com.

The form must be submitted from the email address associated with your current FPSNA membership. Submission from that email address will serve as your electronic signature and confirmation that you support this nomination.