Isabelle Caccamise Garners 2010 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals Gold Medal

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Isabelle Caccamise and Better Than Good won Gold Medal at the 2010 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals. Photo By: Rebecca Walton.

Lexington, KY – August 15, 2010 – The last day of the 2010 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships was marked by a mix of sun and rain, but that did not slow down the exciting competition in the Covered Arena. The EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals was the last phase of the week, and after a two-horse hack-off it was Isabelle Caccamise and Better Than Good earning the Gold Medal and a $500 gift certificate from Oakcroft.

Over 180 ponies jumped the first course and the top 21 total ponies returned for the second round. The technical courses both consisted of short lines, bending lines, a hedge jump and an optional fence. Caccamise was at the top of the order for today’s second round and rode the tight turn to the stone line with ease and but chose the easier option to showcase her riding abilities. Victoria Colvin was ranked second and took the more difficult option. Both riders impressed the judges with their incredible skill and were invited back for the final test on the flat.

During the flat test they were asked to do a series of movements including a sitting trot and a flying lead change. At the end of the day, Caccamise was named the 2010 EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Winner aboard Better Than Good, while Colvin and Party Till Dawn earned the Silver Medal. Taking home the Bronze Medal was Hannah Patten and Carebear, who performed excellent rounds during both phases of today’s event.

“I really wanted to do well today because this might be my last Pony Finals,” explained Caccamise after the victory gallop. “After being called back at the top of the order I was stressed but really excited because I knew I had a chance.”

Fourteen-year-old Caccamise of Westport, CT has been riding Better Than Good for four years and they have developed a very strong partnership. “He’s amazing, he is so much fun,” she smiled. “He helps the rider out so much and he always tries his hardest.”

Caccamise’s trainer, Patricia Griffith of Heritage Farm, added, “At the end of the day, it’s the people that know their animals the best that succeed. It takes a certain relationship with your animal to win a class like this and she has that with him. She’s a really good student, she comes to ride everyday, and she takes great care of her ponies.”

Today was the marked the conclusion of 2010 USEF Pony Finals. Next week competition will begin on Wednesday at the Kentucky Horse Park for the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. This exciting event will feature the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the $50,000 CSIW Hagyard Lexington Classic World Cup Qualifier, and the $30,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix.

For more information about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

For more information about the 2010 USEF Pony Finals please visit www.usef.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

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