Annapolis-based mobile pony party company earns top recognition from The Maryland Small Business Examiner for 13 years of unforgettable horse, pony, and petting zoo birthday experiences across Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Cowgirl Up Pony Parties, the family-owned mobile pony party and petting zoo company that has been creating birthday memories for Maryland kids for more than a decade, has been named the Best Pony Parties in Maryland for 2026 by The Maryland Small Business Examiner as part of its annual Best of Maryland Small Business Awards program.
The recognition celebrates a small business with a big heart — run by sisters Nikki and Kelsey Lawson, who have spent the past 13 years bringing horses, ponies, petting zoo animals, and a whole lot of joy to birthday parties, community events, and private celebrations across the Maryland area. Based in Annapolis, the Lawson sisters have built a reputation as the go-to choice for parents who want a party their child will remember forever.
A Family-Run Business Built on a Lifelong Love of Horses
Both Nikki and Kelsey grew up in Maryland and have ridden horses since childhood. Kelsey began riding at age 5 and bought her first horse — a beloved Clydesdale mare named Daisy — when she was 15. Daisy has since become a fixture in the local community, visiting nursing homes, marching in parades, and stealing hearts wherever she goes. Nikki started English riding at age 7 and is currently retraining her off-the-track Thoroughbred, Comical, in the hunter/jumper world.
That depth of horsemanship is what sets Cowgirl Up apart. This is not a rental operation — it is a working horse family with decades of combined riding, training, and care experience. Every horse and pony in the Cowgirl Up program is raised, trained, and known personally by the Lawson sisters, and the health and well-being of every animal is the foundation of everything they do.
A Party Experience Unlike Any Other in Maryland
What makes Cowgirl Up Pony Parties a Maryland favorite is the breadth of the experience. The company offers far more than a single pony — they bring an entire farm to the party. Birthday packages include pony rides, petting zoo animals, photo opportunities, and the kind of hands-on interaction that lets every child feel the magic of being around horses. The Cowgirl Up animal family includes horses, ponies, and even zebras, alongside a rotating cast of petting zoo favorites.
Beyond birthday parties, the Lawson sisters offer private horseback riding lessons for children, “Mommy and Me” Preschoolers and Ponies sessions designed for the youngest riders, and a popular summer camp program that fills up quickly each year. Whether a child is meeting a horse for the very first time or developing into a serious young rider, Cowgirl Up has built a program that meets them exactly where they are.
Trusted by Maryland Parents for More Than a Decade
Cowgirl Up’s longevity in the pony party space is itself a testament to the quality of what they do. In a category where competitors come and go, the Lawson sisters have spent 13 consecutive years booking parties, training young riders, and earning the trust of Anne Arundel County families. Their Facebook community is filled with photos of beaming kids, towering Clydesdales, and the small details — a child grooming a pony for the first time, a sibling meeting a baby goat — that make Cowgirl Up parties stand apart.
Recognition Earned Through Service to Maryland Families
“Cowgirl Up Pony Parties represents exactly what this award was created to recognize,” said a spokesperson for The Maryland Small Business Examiner. “Nikki and Kelsey have built something genuinely special — a family-owned mobile pony business where every animal is loved, every party is personal, and every child walks away with a memory their family will talk about for years. Thirteen years of service to Maryland families is no small thing, and they have earned every bit of this recognition.”
Cowgirl Up Pony Parties was selected for the 2026 Best of Maryland Small Business Award in recognition of exceptional pony party experiences, outstanding care for their animals, and commitment to Maryland’s families and communities.
About Cowgirl Up Pony Parties
Cowgirl Up Pony Parties is a family-owned mobile pony party, petting zoo, and lesson company based in Annapolis, MD, serving the greater Maryland area. Founded by sisters Nikki and Kelsey Lawson, the business has provided birthday parties, special events, private riding lessons, and summer camp programs for more than 13 years. The Cowgirl Up animal family includes horses, ponies, zebras, and a variety of petting zoo animals.
For party bookings, lesson inquiries, or summer camp registration, call 443-871-3025 or visit www.cowgirlupponyparties.com. Follow Cowgirl Up Pony Parties on Facebook at facebook.com/Cowgirlupponyparties.
About the Best of Maryland Small Business Awards
The Best of Maryland Small Business Awards, presented annually by The Maryland Small Business Examiner, recognize outstanding small businesses across the state for excellence in service, customer experience, and contribution to Maryland’s communities. Winners are selected through editorial review based on customer feedback, business reputation, longevity, and industry recognition.
For more information, visit mdsbexaminer.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: The Maryland Small Business Examiner 6340 Security Blvd, Ste 100 #1176 Baltimore, MD 21207 mdsbexaminer.com
###
