JKL Istas

JKL Istas

Registered Fell Pony Mare · Born 2010

Prefix: JKL
Color: Bay
Height: 13.1hh
Role: Mountain Trail · Working Equitation (Intro Level) · Liberty · Trail Partner · Breed Ambassador
From: JKL Farm, Oregon (USA)

Background

Born in 2010, JKL Istas is Feathered Foothill’s first Fell pony and the foundation of the entire program. A trainer I continue to work with today—Mary Ka—recommended the Fell pony breed for its reliability and versatility, which led me to Istas, bred on the Oregon coast by Kathy Haines under the JKL prefix.

Her name, Istas, is an American Indian word for “snow.”
She is the daughter of:

  • MustaHevonen Rhegeds Inkeri (dam)

  • Geordans Prince Baloo (sire)

Her lineage includes classic Fell families: Heltondale, Sleddale, Wellbrow, Guards, and Townend.

Inkeri was carrying Istas when she entered the JKL program following the tragic passing of Wendy Ihlang of MustaHevonen Farm—the West Coast’s first Fell pony breeder.

Training, Strengths & Discipline

Istas is an athletic and expressive mare whose compact build, balance, and confidence make her naturally suited to technical disciplines. She has shown in Mountain Trail for eight years, earning:

  • Champion and Reserve Champion titles

  • Accomplishments in-hand and ridden

  • Successful performances in both Western and English tack

She also competes in Introductory Working Equitation, demonstrating accuracy, calmness, and willingness.

In Liberty, Istas thrives on body language, attention, and relationship-based work. At the end of 2025, she debuted at liberty on the Liberty Horse UK platform—an international online showcase featuring participants from around the world.

Her additional accomplishments include:

  • Multiple All-Rounder Awards through the FPSNA Performance Point Premium Awards

  • Numerous first-place finishes

  • 2024 FPSNA PPA Reserve Champion Overall

Media Feature – RBST “The Ark,” 2024

In 2024, Istas was featured in the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s publication The Ark in an article titled “Hooves Across the Water,” highlighting her versatility and contributions to promoting Fell ponies in North America.

Trail Partner & Horse Camping

Outside the show environment, Istas is a dependable trail partner and enjoys annual horse-camping excursions. One favorite destination is Mildred Kanipe Park, a historic Oregon property preserved from the estate of Mildred Kanipe, who stewarded thousands of acres throughout her lifetime.

Breed Ambassador Work

Istas has introduced countless people to the Fell pony at events such as:

  • Mother Earth News Fair (2018 & 2019)

  • California Horse Expo – SANA Rare Breeds (2019)

  • Washington State Fair (2022) with herd mate Littletree Matador

  • Northwest Horse Expo – Spring 2025, participating in a Fell Pony Breed Demonstration

She is steady, kind, and approachable—an ideal representative of her breed.

JKL Istas, Fell pony, Mare
Woman riding a Fell pony inside an indoor riding arena. Oregon Horse Center.
Exhibit about Fell Ponies, including posters, photographs, and decorative items. Features a wreath with purple flowers, a small display monitor with a pony image, and informational posters with text and pictures of ponies.
A bay Fell pony with a black mane standing inside a wooden stable, decorated with flowers and signs, including one that reads 'Istas the Fell Pony' with a Union Jack flag, and a Western Allegany Mountain saddle on its back.
A woman riding a bay Fell pony mare in a grassy field with trees and hills in the background. Horsecamping at Mildred Kanipe.
A bay Fell pony stands on a muddy, grassy trail in a wooded area. The horse is equipped with a saddle, bridle, and other riding gear.
Person riding a dark brown horse in a grassy field during daytime, with trees and a dirt path in the background.
A bay Fell pony with a black mane standing outdoors on a sunny day, equipped with a decorative saddle and bridle, with a hoof on a trail obstacle, with trees and a fence in the background.
A bay Fell pony with black mane and tail standing on pavement with a backdrop of greenery and a blue sky, behind a fence.
A woman wearing sunglasses is holding a red lead rope attached to a bay Fell pony that is jumping over a makeshift obstacle made of stacked tires outdoors on a sunny day. There are trees and a scenic view of mountains and sky in the background.
A woman riding a bay Fell pony through a wooded trail during autumn, surrounded by tall grasses and trees with yellow and green leaves.
A woman standing in a grassy yard holding a leash attached to a bay Fell pony with a long mane and a Old English Sheepdog sitting beside her. The background features a scenic view of rolling hills, trees, and a cloudy sky.
A woman standing on a wooden platform holding a black Dales pony by a lead rope, with a scenic sky and landscape in the background.
A bay Fell pony running in an outdoor area with trees in the background.
A bay Fell pony running at a gallop on an outdoor dirt course with scattered leaves, with trees and bushes in the background.
A person riding a bay Fell pony over a wooden obstacle in an indoor equestrian arena at the Oregon Horse Center.
A person leading a Fell pony through a shallow muddy water crossing in an indoor arena.
A woman standing on the ground next to a bay Fell pony that's standing on a rock inside an indoor riding arena. The woman is smiling, wearing a beige beanie, a vest, and riding boots, and is holding the pony's reins.
A brown and black horse standing on a grassy hillside with trees in the background.
A close-up of a black horse with long hair on its head, standing outdoors on a grassy hillside with a cloudy blue sky in the background.
A woman riding a brown horse crossing a small stream in a wooded area.
A brown horse with a black mane and tail standing on grassy terrain in a green hillside area with trees and yellow flowers in the background.
Close-up of a brown horse with a thick, dark mane adorned with white and yellow flowers.
Close-up of a dark brown horse with a mane, wearing a bridle, standing on a sandy beach near the ocean with gentle waves and a partly cloudy sky.
A brown horse running on a grassy dirt path surrounded by green plants and white wildflowers, with hills and trees in the background under a cloudy sky in a rural landscape.
A black horse standing on a grassy hill overlooking a residential area with trees, a tennis court, and distant mountains in the background.
A black horse walking through a grassy field with trees in the background.
A black horse standing in the snow in a wooded area, with snow-covered trees in the background.
Visitors at an educational event viewing horse exhibits in a large tent. Fell pony
A Fell pony with a dark mane grazing on green grass in a lush field with trees and bushes in the background.
Woman riding a Fell pony on a dirt trail in a lush green hilly landscape.
A Fell pony walking through snow in a forested area during winter.
A woman standing next to a Fell pony on a hilltop with a scenic mountain and cloud backdrop and two people walking in the distance. Mt Pisgah.
Person standing next to a Fell pony inside a building with rocky terrain, trees, and mountain backdrop, with award ribbons attached to the horse's bridle. Oregon Horse Center.
A Fell pony with award ribbons and rosettes around its neck and on its saddle, standing on rocky ground inside an indoor riding arena with a painted mountain scene on the wall. Oregon Horse Center.
A person riding a Fell pony through a rocky water crossing, with a mountain and forest mural in the background.
A person riding a Fell pony near a waterfall with rocks and water in the foreground, and a woman observing nearby.
Close-up of a silver belt buckle with intricate floral patterns and gold accents, reading 'NWT OC Center 2022 Silver State Champion,' held in front of a dark bay horse with a halter, in a stable or arena setting. Oregon Horse Center - Mountain Trail.
A person riding a Fell pony inside an indoor riding arena with a mural of a landscape and trees in the background. Oregon Horse Center.
A Fell pony wearing a black halter, with a person holding a metal saddle tag saying "Reserve Champion" in front of its chest. Oregon Horse Center, Mountain Trail.
A Fell pony with a black mane and tail, standing on a wooden platform in an indoor horse riding arena. The horse is fitted with a black saddle and a burgundy saddle pad with a logo, and a chain lead rope attached to its bridle. Washington State Fair.
Fell pony with a saddle standing inside a pen with wood shavings on the ground and hay in the corner. Washington State Fair.
A table display promoting a pony event at Feathered Foothill, decorated with small Union Jack flags, brochures, and a neon sign with event details, situated in front of a red curtain and framed photographs of ponies and horses. Washington State Fair.
A person with a hat and dark clothing brushing a Fell pony inside a covered riding arena at night. Signs in English and Spanish are hanging from the ceiling, and a wooden fence surrounds the arena.
Fell pony in a stable decorated with British flags and a sign that reads 'Our Discipline Is Mountain Trail!!'. Washington State Fair.
Woman riding a Fell pony through a rocky terrain with shrubs and a bridge overhead. Oregon Horse Center.
A person riding a Fell pony through a trail lined with large tree stumps and rocks, with a small pine tree nearby and another rider on horseback in the background. Oregon Horse Center, Mountain Trail.
Close-up of a Fell pony wearing a decorative headpiece with pink and black stones, in a forest setting with blurred green foliage in the background.
A woman riding a Fell pony in a field with tall grass, wearing a helmet and pink shirt, with mountainous landscape and blue sky in the background. Mt. Pisgah.
A woman riding a Fell pony on a grassy field under a cloudy sky, with rolling hills and sparse trees in the background. Mildred Kanipe Horse Camping.
A woman riding a Fell pony in a green field with purple flowers, trees, barns, and hills in the background under a blue sky.
Two women smiling and standing on a grassy field, each holding a Fell pony by the halter, with a background of trees, a blue sky, and white clouds. Feathered Foothill. Fell Pony Society 100 Mile Challenge 2022.
Two black horses grazing on a grassy field near trees and a fallen log.
A dark brown horse with a black mane walking towards the camera on a grassy hillside with trees and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A brown horse with a long black mane standing on a grassy field, decorated with a purple and green floral garland around its neck, under a blue sky with white clouds and a nearby flying aircraft trail. A bouquet of purple flowers lies on the ground i
Close-up of two dark brown horses wearing bridles, with one horse's face prominently in the foreground and the other slightly in the background, outdoors on a sunny day.
Close-up of a brown horse with a dark mane wearing a red halter with a colorful beaded strap, outdoors in a field.
A woman standing between two black horses with saddles, holding their reins on a gravel path at sunset with green fields and hills in the background.
A person riding a black horse on a grassy hillside with gravel piles, trees, power lines, and a blue sky in the background.
A person leading a brown horse jumping over a row of tires outdoors with another horse in the background and barrels and trees, set against a scenic landscape with a clear blue sky.
A person riding a horse on a dirt path in a rural area with green trees and clear blue skies.
Close-up of a brown horse with a braided mane, wearing a decorative bridle and headpiece, standing in a wooded area with green leaves.
A woman in riding gear and helmet leading a black horse over a series of tires arranged on the ground at an outdoor equestrian training course, with trees and hills in the background.
Side view of a brown horse with a black mane standing in a green field with trees in autumn colors and a clear blue sky in the background.
A woman in riding attire standing next to a brown horse in an outdoor arena.
A person riding a horse on a trail with rocks and small pine trees, indoors.
A person riding a brown horse on a dirt trail inside an indoor riding arena. The rider is wearing a helmet, vest, jeans, and riding boots, with a numbered tag '250' on their back. The arena has several small trees and logs on the ground, with a woode
Woman riding a horse indoors, celebrating with rosettes and ribbons, in an equestrian event arena with dirt and logs.
A person riding a dark horse over an indoor trail obstacle with small trees and rocks, wearing a helmet, vest, jeans, and boots.
A person riding a black horse across a shallow stream in a forested outdoor setting with rocks, logs, and trees, and mountains in the background.
A woman standing beside a brown horse inside a spacious indoor riding arena. The woman is wearing a black helmet, brown leather riding boots, jeans, a tan vest, and a yellow neckerchief. She is smiling and holding the horse's reins, which is equipped
A large black and brown horse standing on green grass with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
A woman riding a brown and black pony inside a building with white walls, wearing a helmet, jacket, and riding gear, with pink saddle pad.
Woman riding a large black horse on a grassy field outside a modern building with white, green, and gray siding.
Brown horse with black mane and tail standing on green grass, saddled with an orange and black saddle, against a background of trailers and a partly cloudy sky.
A small horse with black and brown fur, standing on a wet dirt ground, equipped with a saddle and bridle, under a cloudy sky.
Indoor horse riding arena with riders on horses, some in blue and one in black, and a person in a wheelchair. The arena has brown dirt floor and signs on the walls including Tires, Schwab, and The Northwest Horse Source.
Woman riding a black horse indoors with a brown and black painted background and green plants.
A woman riding a black horse through a shallow creek surrounded by trees and rocky terrain.
A woman riding a horse indoors over a wooden log obstacle, wearing a helmet, gloves, a colorful scarf, and riding attire.
A woman riding a dark brown horse on an indoor riding arena.
A woman in riding gear holding a leash attached to a black horse on an outdoor court at sunset.
A woman riding a horse through a small stream indoors, with a painted mountain and waterfall backdrop.
A woman wearing a black helmet, red vest, black gloves, and riding attire, riding a small brown horse with black mane on a rocky trail surrounded by green pine trees indoors.
A woman riding a black horse through a water crossing indoors, with trees and logs around, and a large screen or sign in the background.
Woman riding a horse across rocks and small trees inside an indoor equestrian arena.
A woman riding a horse through a shallow river with a wooded, rocky landscape and another rider on horseback in the background.
A woman riding a horse inside an indoor riding arena with a waterfall backdrop and rocks.
A woman in rubber boots and yellow gloves guiding a dark horse across a shallow river with rocks, surrounded by a forested landscape.
A person riding a horse through a shallow water crossing in a forested outdoor area, with other riders on horseback visible in the background.
Woman walking a black horse with a tie in a dirt indoor arena surrounded by small trees and seating