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SIDELINESMAGAZINE | October 2026
or 13-year-old pony rider Grace
Stenbeck-Werner, there has always been
more to the sport than success. Though
she has already experienced much of what the
sport has to offer in that sense, Grace’s favorite
part has remained remarkably simple—the
horses. For her, riding is about the partnership
she builds with each one, the feeling of getting
into the ring and finding their rhythm, and,
above all, enjoying every moment along the way.
“I tell myself just to be present in the
moment,” Grace said.
GRACE
STENBECK-WERNER
One Ride at a Time
By Laila Edwards • Portraits by Sophia Donohue
BORN FOR THE SADDLE
Growing up on her family’s farm in North
Salem, New York, surrounded by a mix of
sport horses and rescue horses, Grace was
only 6 months old when she first sat on a
horse. Her mother had ridden growing up
so horses were already an important part of
the family when Grace came along. By the
time she was old enough to understand what
showing meant, horses were already woven
into nearly every part of her life.
Her first pony, Romeo, came into Grace’s
life at the very beginning. He was a rescue
and, while he never became a show pony,
he was her introduction to the special
relationship that would eventually shape her
riding career.
Then, at 2 years old, Grace met Candy
while visiting family in England. She
immediately fell for the little gray pony, and
soon Candy was on her way to America.
Grace showed Candy for the first time
when she was 3 years old, and the two
Grace Stenbeck-Werner with
Clovermeade Heartthrob, Pony
Finals 2026 Overall Grand Champion.