Porkchop is beautiful! And your picture shows such a lovely bond between you and him.Now that my own peep is a bit older (going to be 11 this summer!), I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to find a way to ride again! With that said, I don't suppose anyone here lives in New Mexico or West Texas...? Worth a shot!
This is a very old picture of me with the first client-owned colt I started, we called him "Porkchop". <3
I really hope you find a nice horse to lease or buy nearby, for you and your youngster. When I used to teach and be a judge for Pony Club, my favorites were the kids who were around 11! They were ideal students - young enough to accept correction as long as it was kind, but old enough to ask questions, and challenge the "why" of my answers. Young enough to be in love with their horses or ponies and never tolerate any unfair treatment (as all of us should be, no matter our age) but old enough to be analytical and thoughtful about why a riding or horse-care rule exists. Also, old enough to be really entertaining and funny!