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YOUR FPSNA COUNCIL
Elise Miller ~ Chairperson
Through Fall AGM 2029
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.
David Mikko ~ Vice Chairperson
Through Fall AGM 2027
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.
As a candidate for FPSNA Council, Zone 1 (Northeast Coast & Eastern Canada), 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.
Shannon Barnes ~ Secretary
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. Jenifer Morrissey ~ Treasurer Through Fall AGM 2027
I was humbled to be nominated by my colleagues to stand for election to FPSNA Council and then to be elected by membership. Thank you! I have been stewarding Fell Ponies since 2000 when there were just 30 ponies on the continent. Personally, I've contributed to the increase in population since then by both breeding and importing. My numerous trips to Cumbria have often been shopping trips but also getting to know the long-time stewards of our breed. I was pleased to share about those enduring stewards in the book I helped FPSNA produce in 2024. Having served once before on FPSNA Council, I am pleased to be helping out again with the role of Treasurer. I also hope to bring back to the organization a focus on breed conservation and member education, sharing from my own research and study about our breed and from my experiences mentoring others. Over the years, I've found that there's always more to learn and discover about Fell Ponies! Taylor Bie ~ Promotions Director 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. Kimberly Dunn ~ Preservation Director
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. |
Jill Rabenstein ~ Ambassador
Through Fall AGM 2029
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.
Elected Council positions are three year terms, all on a rolling basis so that no more than one third of Council is up for election at any one time.
Officer positions are determined by private Council election per our FPSNA Bylaws.
Please contact FPSNA at fpsnasecretary@gmail.com with any questions or concerns regarding our governance and procedures.