Miss Sunshine– The Little Mare With a Whole Lotta Heart
2010 Silver Dapple Tobiano Mini Gypsy Mare | 11.2hh (46″)| Rides • Drives • Lessons • Barrels • Poles • Family Safe
Meet Miss Sunshine, a one-in-a-million registered half Gypsy mare, who’s done just about everything you can dream up — and then some! Standing 11.2 hands, this silver dapple tobiano beauty is registered with the International Gypsy Equine Association (IGEA) and DNA verified as 50% Gypsy. She’s got all the hallmark features: thick feather, a mane and tail that go on for days, and that signature calm, intelligent Gypsy temperament.
A true all-around, Sunshine is as versatile as they come. She rides English, Western, and bareback, jumps, events, drives single and double, and even competes in rodeo events like barrels, poles, and goat tying. She was originally trained and driven by Ivy Rasco, who owned her for ten years and used her to teach others how to drive. Recently, Sunshine enjoyed a driving refresher and came back better than ever — confident, collected, and proud in harness. She’s a steady, stylish mover with the cutest little prance-trot you’ve ever seen.
Sunshine has also spent summers as the star of a Maine youth horse program, giving lessons, pony rides, and birthday memories that will last a lifetime. She’s careful, patient, and calm with little ones climbing under, around, and over her. The kind you can trust to babysit your kids while they braid her mane for hours. She’s the lesson pony of your dreams!
This fall, Miss Sunshine spent 6 weeks in the capable hands of Liberty Corderman, a 16-year-old national rodeo competitor who was featured in the July 2025 issue of Western Horseman. Liberty is known for riding all kinds—finished reiners, Paso Fino-Hackney crosses, and everything in between—bareback. Under Liberty’s guidance, Sunshine has polished up her already impressive resume and is truly the complete all-around package today.
Most recently she’s been put through multiple ‘tests,’ ensuring that she is the TRUE beginner safe all-around lady mini gypsies are known for. From brand new, inexperienced riders to fierce competitors, she’s as safe as you could ever want. There isn’t a spook in her! Her willing attitude will do most anything asked of her. She undoubtably adjusts to her rider (or drivers) ability, giving you speed if you ask – unless her sixth sense tells her you aren’t ready to go fast (keeping the most inexperienced of riders safe). Obstacles, roping, goat tying, gun shooting, sled pulling, teeter totter climbing, dogs barking and running – she’s game for it all!
Sunshine is pure delight to have in the barn. She’s personable (nickers when she sees you), patient, tidy in her stall, does well in a mixed herd or by herself and will stand for hours while the littles paint her hooves, braid her hair or kiss her nose. She does everything you’d expect of a seasoned, well behaved lady: saddling, bridling, catching, grooming, bathing, farrier, vet, trailering – she truly has no vices.
She has foaled four times with no troubles at all! Her babies have all stayed smaller than her, when bred to a small stallion. Her first baby was a stud colt that was purchased by a vet in Columbia, South America and is being used to pursue miniature gypsy development there. She was exposed to a 42″ mini gypsy stallion for a potential spring 2026 foal.
Whether you’re looking for a safe family pony, a trustworthy youth mount, a fancy little mare to show off or hit the trail with – or use as a broodmare, Miss Sunshine checks every box.
Highlights:
- Registered with the International Gypsy Equine Association
- Exceptional feather, mane, and tail, yet easy to care for – classic Gypsy look
- Rides English, Western, bareback, rodeo and lessons
- Proven in Events with the IGEA earning the Regal Ambassador award
- Professional driving foundation with recent tune-up
- Former lesson, camp, and birthday pony – patient and trustworthy
- Excellent with kids and beginner riders
- Produced quality pony cob foals and great mother
- Kind, people-oriented, and loves attention
Miss Sunshine is the total package — beauty, brains, and a heart of gold wrapped up in one small, feathered powerhouse.
Call or text Melanie (owner) at (309) 540-0181 for more information about Sunshine’s background and history OR call/text Shelby (agent) at (507) 613-8496, to come visit Sunshine or discuss her most recent training and riding abilities.
Sunshine’s Highlight Reel
Sunshine’s Full Video