Oliver & His First Pony, Rosie
There’s something about a first pony that just hits differently. If you grew up around horses, you’ll know exactly what I mean. That first pony becomes your best friend, your partner in crime, and the start of a story that usually lasts a lifetime.
Oliver’s first pony is Rosie, and getting to photograph the two of them together was honestly such a special moment.
Oliver is the sweetest little boy. He’s always so much fun to be around, full of curiosity and energy. One minute he’s chatting away about tractors (and trust me, he knows a lot of tractor names), the next he’s cuddling Rosie or asking questions about my camera because he wants to see how everything works.
He also takes his role as big brother to Ben very seriously, which is very cute to watch.
Rosie is a retired polo pony turned absolute unicorn. She’s calm, kind, and clearly very proud of her new job looking after Oliver.
You can see how patient she is with him. The quiet moments between them are what make a first pony relationship so special — the brushing, the hugs around the neck, the little chats kids have with their ponies like they completely understand every word.
Oliver & Ben were definitely born into the horse world.
Both of his parents are incredible show jumpers and they run a yard in Plettenberg Bay, so it’s safe to say horses are a big part of everyday life for this family.
But even when you grow up around horses, your first pony is still a huge moment. It’s the beginning of learning confidence, responsibility, and that really special bond between a child and their horse.
Watching Oliver with Rosie, you can already see the start of that connection.
Why First Pony Photos Matter
Photographing moments like this is one of the things I love most about what I do.
Ponies grow older, kids grow up, and before you know it that tiny rider is suddenly flying around a show jumping course. But the first pony is always the one people remember.
Rosie will always be Oliver’s first.
And I’m so glad we got to capture the beginning of their story.
If you’d like to capture your child with their first pony or horse, these sessions are some of my favourites to photograph. They’re relaxed, fun, and full of the kind of moments you’ll want to remember forever.
