Tag Archives: US Pony Finals

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Pony, USEF, USEF

Hudson and Smitten Earn Championship Titles at Day Two of 2014 US Pony Finals

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Devin Seek and Hudson (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The first championship titles of the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans were claimed Wednesday as the Large Regular Hunter Ponies and the Small Green Hunter Ponies completed their final phases of competition in the 2014 US Pony Finals. Devin Seek and Hudson claimed the Large Regular Hunter Pony Championship title and Sophia Calamari and Smitten took home the Small Green Hunter Pony Championship title.

National titles are determined in the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans following three phases of competition, with Model and Under Saddle phases each counting towards 25% of the overall score, and the remaining 50% being determined by the Over Fences phase.

Large Regular Hunter Pony

Seek (Ocala, Fla.) and Aubrey Hill Equestrian’s Hudson took top honors in the Large Regular Hunter Pony Championship after a smooth round in the Over Fences phase to score 261.50 and finish in first place in the phase. On Tuesday, she and the eight-year-old Welsh/Holsteiner gelding earned scores of 220.36 and 254.50 in the Model and Under Saddle phases, respectively. The pair completed the competition with a total score of 997.96.

The US Pony Finals veteran said even though this was her sixth time in the competition, she was still a bit nervous entering the ring.

“I was nervous because it was my second time riding a large pony here,” Seek said. “It’s hard because there’s so many people watching, and it’s Pony Finals, so obviously just saying the name ‘Pony Finals’ adds pressure and nerves. But I think it’s fun to do all the big stuff because it brings you up a little bit and it’s a fun place to be.”

The Reserve Champion title went to Ali Tritschler (Southport, Conn.) and Betsee Parker’s Enjoy the Laughter with a total score of 983.66. Tritschler and the nine-year-old German riding pony gelding scored 239.28 in the Over Fences phase, after earning scores of 250.60 in the Model and 254.50 Under Saddle.

Mimi Gochman (New York, N.Y.) and Lauren Watts’ Ante Up finished in third place in the Large Regular Hunter Pony Championship with a total score of 974.92. She and the 11-year-old Hessian gelding earned 240.21, 247.97, 243.37 in the Model, Under Saddle, and Over Fences phases, respectively.

Small Green Hunter Pony

Calamari (New Milford, Pa.) won the Small Green Hunter Pony Championship with her own Smitten, completing the competition with a phenomenal overall score of 1011.50. She and the six-year-old Welsh pony cross-bred gelding garnered second place in the Over Fences phase with a score of 249.75, while on Tuesday they earned 260.00 in the Model and 252.00 Under Saddle.

Sophia Calamari and Smitten (Shawn McMillen Photography)
Sophia Calamari and Smitten (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Calamari was confident entering the ring, but knew the course wouldn’t be all easy. “I was a little bit nervous about the in-and-out and lead changes,” she said. “He hasn’t jumped a lot of in-and-outs, so I was worried he might spook a little bit, but he was great.”

The Reserve Champion title went to Madeline Schaefer (Westminster, Md.) and Ashley Watts’ Rollingwoods Tuxedo, with a total score of 988.80. She and the six-year-old Welsh Pony gelding were boosted into the Reserve Champion position on the strength of a third-place finish in the Over Fences phase with a score of 247.50, after earning 250.80 and 243.00 in the Model and Under Saddle phases, respectively.

Augusta Iwasaki (Calabasas, Calif.) and Mary Funk’s eight-year-old Welsh Pony gelding, Enano, took home the third-place ribbon with a total score of 971.70. With an impressive score of 254.00, the pair won the Over Fences phase. In the Model, the pair earned 221.70, and scored 242.00 in the Over Fences.

Thursday begins with the Medium and Large Green Hunter divisions’ Model and Under Saddle phases. In the afternoon, the Small Regular Hunter Ponies will perform their Over Fences phase to conclude their competition and crown a champion.

To learn more about the 2014 US Pony Finals, visit www.ponyfinals.org.

For results, schedules and more, visit http://usefconnect.com/ponyfinals/.

Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Pony, Show Jumping

Riders Prepare for US Pony Finals at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Alexandra Pielet and Secret Love.

Lexington, KY – August 3, 2014 – The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows have seen large numbers of entries all summer, but this weekend those numbers skyrocketed in the pony divisions.

The 2014 US Pony Finals competition kicks off at the Kentucky Horse Park in just two days, and hundreds of ponies and young riders took advantage of the opportunity to prepare for the prestigious Pony Finals at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Among them were two Pony Finals veterans who were among today’s top finishers: Sofia Roberts and Alexandra Pielet.

Both Roberts and Pielet will be riders to watch in the Small Pony Hunters as they head into the week aboard Brownland’s Mr. Mack and Secret Love, respectively.

The two ponies dominated Section A of this weekend’s Small Pony Hunters, with Brownland’s Mr. Mack earning the division championship and Secret Love picking up the reserve.

“He’s perfect,” said Roberts of Brownland’s Mr. Mack. “He’s really sweet. At home we work on finding the jumps and going straight.”

That work at home with Lochmoor Stables and trainer Patty Rogers paid off tenfold today for 10-year-old Roberts and Brownland’s Mr. Mack, a pony that she’s owned for two years. The duo finished in the top two of both of the over fences classes this afternoon, including besting a field of 30 competitive ponies to take the top call in Section A of the Small Pony Conformation Hunters.

Roberts, a Wilmington, OH native, hopes that today’s performance proves indicative of what is to come in the week ahead during her third Pony Finals appearance.

“I love the competition, and I love how excited I get,” smiled Roberts.

Pielet, a veteran of numerous Pony Finals, is also looking forward to the high level of competition that the event brings.

“I love that all of the top ponies are here competing against each other. It’s really cool,” Pielet, age 13, said.

Her mount in the Small Pony Hunters, Secret Love, is definitely one of those top competitors. Previously owned by David Gochman and ridden by Lindsey Greenhill and Sophie and Mimi Gochman, Secret Love was purchased by Jill Shulman of Back Country Farm following last year’s Pony Finals. Today he showed why he is one to watch with Pielet in the irons, finishing with both a first and second over fences and ending the day with the Section A Small Pony Hunter reserve championship.

In Section B of the Small Pony Hunters, it was Christina Rogalny and her own Firefly who dominated the day, riding away with the victory in both of the division’s over fences classes.

US Pony Finals festivities get under way tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 4, and the competition officially kicks off Tuesday morning with the Large Hunter Pony Model and Large Hunter Pony Under Saddle classes beginning at 11 a.m.

To learn more about the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Summer Series Fast Facts

Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, USEF National Pony Finals, Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and KHJA Horse Show, and the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.

What:
The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2014 series includes five weeks of top competition throughout the summer. These premier hunter/jumper competitions host the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Award, as well as the Hallway Feeds National Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:

NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR & YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS – July 15-20, 2014
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 23-27, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 29 – August 3, 2014
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix sponsored by GGT Footings
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

2014 USEF PONY FINALS – August 5-10, 2014
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL HORSE SHOW – August 12-17, 2014
USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals
USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship
$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Member Event

KHJA HORSE SHOW – August 20-24, 2014
$10,000 Hagyard Welcome Stake
$30,000 KHJA Grand Prix
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, GGT Footing, Equestrian Services International, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program, Sleepy P Ranch, and the Official Hotel The Clarion

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709

Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Ring Dimensions/Specs:

The Stonelea Ring, Murphy Ring, Walnut Ring, Stonelea/Murphy Schooling Ring, the Alltech Arena and the Rolex Stadium have Otto Sport footing consisting of fine sand and synthetic fiber on pvc mats. The Claiborne, Annex, and Covered Arena (old) rings’ footing consists of a sand cushion on limestone base. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:

Stonelea: 140′x 280′, Murphy: 135′x 280′, Stonelea and Murphy Schooling: 110′x 400′
Walnut: 300′x 370′, Claiborne: 140′x 270′, Annex 130′x 250′, Covered Arena (old): 145′x 285′ Rolex Stadium: 360′ x 384′, Alltech Arena: 132′ x 265′

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Pony

Woodson Wins US Pony Medal Final to Close Out 2013 US Pony Finals

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Olivia Woodson (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – The final day of the 2013 US Pony Finals was dedicated to equitation and the US Pony Medal Final. A total of 193 riders headed into the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena to demonstrate their skill and proficiency in front of the judging panel of Bill Moroney and Julie Winkel.

In round one Bobby Murphy tested riders over an intricate course which featured a two-stride combination as well as a trot jump and called for riders to halt before continuing on in the canter over a vertical. Twenty-five riders were called back for a second round which again tested their equitation abilities. This time riders were asked to once again trot a single vertical, negotiate a one-stride line as well as perform a change of lead in the middle of a line. Following the second round, four riders, three from the Medium section and one from the Large section, were called back for a test on the flat.

Olivia Woodson, Emma Kurtz, Emma Lemke and Charlise Casas would return to the Alltech Arena for a third time in order to determine the outcome of the 2013 US Pony Medal Final.

In the test, riders were asked to show sitting and rising trot, canter and a hand gallop. However, the deciding factor of the 2013 championship was when the judges called for riders to turn-on-the-haunches.

Woodson (Wellington, FL) was declared the winner of the 2013 US Pony Medal Final after displaying two stylish jumping rounds and an acute understanding and accuracy on the flat, especially when it came to turn-on-the-haunches.

“I just wanted to go in and do my best; I love flatting,” said the 13-year-old of her mindset heading into the test. “So when they said turn-on-the-haunches, I just thought, ‘Well here we go; walk to turn-on-the-haunches to walk’.”

It was especially meaningful for Woodson to top Sunday’s class as it is likely it will be the last time she rides at the US Pony Finals.

“This is my last year at Pony Finals. Next year I’m moving up to the big Eq., so I was really happy to win,” said Woodson. “It still doesn’t feel real.”

Collecting second place and the Silver medal was Kurtz (Hudson, OH). Sunday’s Medal Final closed out an unbelievable 2013 US Pony Finals for the 13-year-old. Over the course of the week she rode to the Reserve Grand Champion Hunter Pony, Reserve Grand Champion Green Hunter Pony, Large Regular Pony Hunter Championship, Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship, and the Small Green Pony Hunter Championship titles.

The Bronze medal was awarded to Lemke of Franklin, Tennessee.

Earning fourth place was Casas, the only rider in the final four test to ride a Large Pony.

The following riders rounded out the top 10 placings:

5th – Annalise Reed
6th – Alexandra Pielet
7th – Coco Fath
8th – Isabel Ryan
9th – Madeline Schaefer
10th – Theresa Tolar

By Helen Murray

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Pony

Grand Pony Hunter Championship Title Goes to Daisy Farish at 2013 USEF Pony Finals

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Daisy Farish and Sassafras Creek.

Lexington, KY – August 10, 2013 – Daisy Farish capped an outstanding week at the 2013 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals by claiming the Grand Pony Hunter Championship with Sassafras Creek. Farish and Sassafras Creek, owned by Redfield Farm of Califon, NJ, were awarded the Medium Pony Hunter Championship on Thursday, and none of the small or large ponies could match their impressive total score of 1035.5, which earned them the Grand title and the International Jumping Derby Perpetual Trophy, donated by Mason Phelps, Jr.

Emma Kurtz and Westside came the closest to besting Farish and Sassafras Creek, as they took home the Large Pony Hunter Championship with a cumulative total of 1020.9 after collecting scores of 86.85, 83 and 80.85 in today’s Large Pony Hunter Over Fences class. Their division winning efforts also earned them the Reserve Grand Pony Hunter Championship.

“I have never been grand or reserve grand at Pony Finals, and before this week I had only been champion once,” Farish said. “So my second time being champion and being grand means a lot to me. It may be my last Pony Finals, so that makes it even better.”

Farish continued, “Sassy has her name for a reason. She is a princess. She likes everything to be her way. When it is, she is just a really great, easy pony. There are no tricks to her. She’s very simple.”

Farish worked with trainer Patricia Griffith of Heritage Farm to prepare for Pony Finals. “I think Heritage and Patricia really helped me because they helped my confidence,” Farish said. “I showed four ponies this week, and Patricia has helped me with every one of them.”

Griffith added, “We monopolized our main ring at home, which they never let us use for the ponies because it’s the biggest sand ring. We took all the horse jumps out and made it a pony explosion! I had our carpenter make us all these little jumps, and we saved them all so that when they walked in the ring they’d never seen any of those fences.”

Griffith’s efforts with Farish and Sassafras Creek, or simply “Sassy,” earned her the Emerson Burr Perpetual Trophy, donated by the 2000 Hunter Pony Committee, and presented to the trainer of the Overall Grand Pony Hunter Champion.

Emma Kurtz and Westside
Emma Kurtz and Westside

Reserve Grand Pony Hunter Champions Kurtz and Westside, who was recently purchased by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, took the third place ribbon in today’s over fences class, the final phase of the Large Pony Hunters. Their strong finish clinched their Large Pony Hunter Championship title and the Reserve Grand Champion award.

“He was really good,” Kurtz said after their round. “Going by the end, he got a little nervous, but he was awesome other than that. He’s really fun, and he’s pretty easy. His jump is so smooth.”

Kurtz, like Farish, has had a series of impressive results at Pony Finals this year, including winning both the Grand and Reserve Grand Green Pony Hunter Championship titles with Yes It’s True and Show Me Love, respectively. Westside, trained by Scott Stewart, is a relatively new ride for Kurtz, and the pair is working to develop a partnership in both the hunter and equitation rings.

“Scott and I are like a couple of Indian chiefs. We get to pow-wowing, and we kind of have fun because we come up with the best ideas when the two of us work together,” said Dr. Betsee Parker. “We didn’t have a medal pony at the national level for our two new young riders, Emma Kurtz and Taylor St Jacques, and we really wanted to support them with a real top-flight medal pony for the next year.”

With that idea in mind, Parker purchased Westside this week with the goal of providing a top equitation horse for Kurtz and St Jacques. The win in the Large Pony Hunters came as an unexpected bonus.

“He really surprised us,” Parker said. “Westside just really did his thing today. We were pretty excited.”

First place over fences, along with the Large Pony Hunter Reserve Championship, went to Aleece Jarman and her own Valentino. Jarman, of Pace, FL, earned scores of 87.2, 83.5 and 84.5. Isabel Ryan of Locust Valley, NY and her own Woodlands Misty Rain finished second over fences on scores of 86.5, 80.75 and 84.5.

Taylor St Jacques and Enjoy The Laughter
Taylor St Jacques and Enjoy The Laughter

This year’s Hunter Pony Championships, presented by Sallee Horse Vans, concluded with the Under Saddle Champion Class, which brought back top finishers from all of the week’s under saddle classes to square off for the title. Judges gradually narrowed down the field of 23 until the top 10 combinations remained in the ring. They began pinning the class, calling horses into the middle one by one until it was a head-to-head competition between Dr. Betsee Parker’s Enjoy the Laughter, ridden by Taylor St Jacques, and Addison Piper’s Goldfish, ridden by Isabella Di Benedetto. St Jacques was finally named the winner, making it two in a row for Enjoy the Laughter, who took last year’s title with Cloe Hymowitz aboard.

An afternoon awards ceremony was held in the Alltech Arena to recognize the week’s best performers in the hunter divisions. The High Score State Team Award went to the Florida team comprised of Kurtz and Westside, Jarman and Valentino, and Bernadette Chungunco and Donald Stewart’s Steal the Crowd. They received the International Challenge Trophy.

The Buttons ‘n’ Bows Sportsmanship Trophy, donated by Mr. R. Bates Newton in memory of Maxine Best, was awarded to 8-year-old Hagen Hall of Thompson Station, TN.  Blue on Blue, ridden by Sarah Boston and owned by Chloe D. Reid LLC, received the Betsy Fishback Memorial Trophy, given to the best turned out hunter pony. Kurtz was recognized for her achievements with the Mindy Darst Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the equestrian athlete with potential to become a top professional in the future.

The USEF Pony Finals conclude Sunday with a shift in focus to equitation, as the nation’s best pony riders face off in the Pony Medal Finals.

For more information about the 2013 USEF Pony Finals, please visit www.usef.org.

For more information about the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge and Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Pony

Hana Bieling and Canterbrook Prince Charming Awarded Small Pony Hunter Championship

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Hana Bieling and Canterbrook Prince Charming.

Lexington, KY – August 9, 2013 – The rain started to pour as the day wound down at the 2013 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals, but it did not put a damper on the kids’ spirit as they showcased their skills. The Large Pony Hunters took center stage in the Walnut Ring this morning as they completed their Model and Under Saddle phases where Taylor St Jacques and Enjoy The Laughter took home both blue ribbons. The Small Pony Hunter Over Fences was next, and at the end of the day Hana Bieling and Canterbrook Prince Charming earned the Small Pony Hunter Championship with their consistency throughout the division. Finally in the Alltech Arena, Cooper Dean captured the USEF National Pony Jumper Individual Championship aboard American Hero.

This marked Bieling’s fifth year competing at Pony Finals and it proved to be the best. She and Canterbrook Prince Charming took home the Small Pony Hunter Championship. The duo was ranked third going into today’s over fences phase, and with scores of 87.15, 84.5, and 84.25 they scored the second place award. With an overall total of 1019.3, Bieling and Canterbrook Prince Charming jumped to the top of the leader board and earned the coveted title.

Bieling began riding the 6-year-old Welsh Cross gelding in January during the Winter Equestrian Festival. “When I started riding Canterbrook Prince Charming, he was really different,” the 12-year-old Naples, FL, native said. “His canter was a little strung out and he didn’t have all his steering and everything, but by the end of WEF, he was really good.”

The talented pony was purchased by Kathryn McCarthy, who began showing him in the Children’s Pony Hunters, but gave Bieling the ride for her last year in the Small Pony Hunters. “This was his first year at Pony Finals,” Bieling noted. “Kathryn has been showing him the rest of the year and has done a really great job with him. He’s pretty straightforward. You just start and he keeps going! It’s just so good to end things well and have a good day.”

Daisy Farish and Armani
Daisy Farish and Armani

The winner of today’s Small Pony Hunter Over Fences phase was also the division’s reserve champion. Daisy Farish and Armani, owned by Madeline Schaefer of Westminster, MD, received scores of 86.15, 87 and 84.55 to take home the blue ribbon prize as well as the Small Pony Hunter Reserve Champion title. The third place finisher during the Over Fences was Kyla Sullivan and Clovercroft Love Bunny, owned by Rabbit Hill Farm of Newtown, CT. The pair earned scores of 86.15, 84 and 83 for their beautiful round early in the day.

Earlier in the day, the Large Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle were the main highlights in the Walnut Ring. Taylor St Jacques and Enjoy The Laughter, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, earned the top call in both phases to take home the winning prize. This is the 14-year-old’s second year at Pony Finals, and today’s two blue ribbons will give her the lead going into tomorrow’s over fences phase with a total of 525 points.

“Enjoy The Laughter is still really green, but he’s a lot of fun,” commented St Jacques. “I haven’t ridden him that long, but we just connected the first time. I started showing him in the end of June. He just needs support and to know that everything’s all right.”

St Jacques added, “He’s normally very good over fences. He’ll look a little, but if I’m there for support he knows that everything’s okay. Tomorrow, I’m just going to forget about today and just ride like I know I can.”

The second place prize in the Large Pony Hunter Model was presented to Emma Kurtz and Westside, owned by Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL, while Holland Nievergelt of Norfolk, VA, and Glynhafan Red Kestral received the third place honors. In the Large Pony Hunter Under Saddle, Kurtz and Westside once again claimed the red ribbon, while Aleece Jarman of Pace, FL, and Valentino took home the third place award during today’s competition.

Following the completion of today’s hunter events, the jumpers took center stage in the Alltech Arena for the 2013 USEF National Pony Jumper Individual Finals. At the end of the night Cooper Dean of Fayette, AL and his mount American Hero donned the Gold Medal and rode away with the title of Pony Jumper Individual Champions.

The individual jumper riders competed in two phases of competition over the past two nights, and tonight the top individuals returned to vie for the medals and positions on the podium. After tonight’s opening round, four riders sat tied with four faults each, while Dean and Christina Rodriguez riding A Lotta Moxie, each led the pack with zero faults. The four-way tied riders Carly Williams and High Hopes of Lexington, VA Morgan Gravely and Dragon’s Lair Banner of High Springs, FL, Heather Vaxer and Cha Cha Cha of Delray Beach, FL and Camilla Siekmann and Mist of a Champion of Washington Crossing, PA all returned to jump-off for their shot at the Bronze Medal, while Dean and Rodriguez of Dade City, FL came back to vie for the silver and gold awards.

Williams bested the other four faulters in the jump-off, going clear in a time of 36.927 seconds and clinching the Bronze Medal. Then it was up to Dean and Rodriguez to face off for the gold. Rodriguez was the first to return, and she sped through the course until a disappointing second to last fence unseated her. Her qualification for the jump-off guaranteed her no less than second, but her fall left the Gold Medal easily up for grabs by Dean and American Hero. Dean was also a key member of the Zone 4 team that clinched the Gold Medal in the team competition last night.

“I thought we would be really good in the teams, but this is just a miracle,” smiled 14-year-old Dean following his victory.

Dean has worked extremely hard to make the Gold Medal a reality, making the win tonight that much more meaningful.  “I live on a farm in Fayette, Alabama. I sort of live like a cowboy of the hunter jumper world. I take care of Hero and do a lot of things myself,” explained Dean.

His mother, Jill Dean, added, “He works for everything. He mucks stalls. He feeds horses. He rides horses. It’s part of what we have to do as a hunter/jumper family. It’s not all easy.”

But as Cooper Dean stood atop the podium, it was evident that it is definitely all worth it. “I’m just so happy right now. This is the best week of my life,” concluded Dean.

The 2013 USEF Pony Finals will continue tomorrow with the Large Pony Hunter Over Fences, naming the 2013 Large Pony Hunter Champion, as well as the 2013 Grand Pony Hunter Champion. On Sunday, riders will compete in the Equisport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals.

For more information about the 2013 USEF Pony Finals, please visit www.usef.org.

For more information about the Kentucky Summer Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Hunter/Equitation, Pony, USEF

Individual Medals Awarded at 2013 US National Pony Jumper Championship

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Cooper Dean and American Hero (Sean McMillan Photography)

Lexington, KY – The 2013 US National Pony Jumper Championship, held as part of the US Pony Finals, came to an exciting conclusion on Friday night with Individual titles up for grabs. Twenty-one competitors came back to jump a fourth round over Marc Donovan’s testing course. A single rail separated the top 11 riders heading into Friday’s final round and a fourth round would not be enough as competitors would need to jump off for all three medals.

Cooper Dean and Christina Rodriguez entered the Alltech Arena on Friday without incurring a single fault throughout the week and again rose to the occasion, producing their fourth clear efforts of the championships. Rodriguez (Dade City, FL) was first to go in the jump-off and set off determinedly with her own A Lotta Moxie. However, the pair met the second-to-last jump just a little bit too long, resulting in Rodriguez falling. A Lotta Moxie was unharmed and Rodriguez suffered an injury to her arm but was otherwise unharmed.

When Dean (Fayette, AL) entered the ring with his own American Hero, he just needed to complete the course to earn the Individual Gold medal. The pair steadily navigated the jump off course, faulting a single time in the double combination and collecting an additional four time faults. They finished the jump-off with a score of eight.

“It’s just been incredible my pony was awesome; I couldn’t have asked for a better week,” said Dean of his time at the 2013 US Pony Finals, which saw him win the Team Gold medal with Zone Four and capture Individual Gold on Friday.

Despite knowing that Rodriguez had fallen and been eliminated before him, Dean did not change his plan heading into the jump-off.

“I wasn’t really worried about it. I wish one of my competitors hadn’t fallen off but nothing changed; my plan stayed the same.”

Dean was also awarded the US Pony Jumper Style Award as the rider the judges believed to display the best jumping style of riding throughout the week.

Silver medalist Rodriguez was also very pleased with her time at the 2013 US Pony Finals and would not let her fall on Friday change her view of the championship or her pony’s performance.

“It was very exciting; this is one of the best shows I’ve ever been to and everyone was so nice,” said Rodriguez. “She was doing really well (in the jump off), but I took too big of a spot but I’m really proud of her and how she did.”

The jump-off for Bronze saw four competitors come back who all ended the fourth round on an overall total of four faults. As the second-to-last rider in the jump-off, Carly Williams (Lexington, KY) knew that if she could leave all the rails in the cups and post a competitive time with her own High Hopes, she would be in with a shot at the final medal.

The pair did just that, jumping faultlessly and stopping the timers at 36.927 seconds to clinch the Individual Bronze medal.

Early in the day Faith Cunningham (La Canada Flintridge, CA) and her own Barachute earned top honors in the Farewell Class.

By Helen Murray

To follow all the action from the US National Pony Jumper Championship and the 2013 US Pony Finals, visit: http://usefconnect.com/ponyfinals/.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Pony

Sassafras Creek Named Medium Regular Pony Hunter Champion at 2013 US Pony Finals

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Emma Kurtz and Bit of Love (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Bit of Love Leads Small Regular Division

Lexington, KY – The first Regular Pony Hunter Championship title was decided Thursday in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Walnut Arena. The judging panel of Chance Arakelian, William Sparks, and Jeff Wirthman evaluated the Small Regular Hunter ponies as they completed the Model and Under Saddle phases of the competition as well as the field of 130 Medium Regular Hunter ponies to declare the winner of the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans.

The US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans are determined by calculating the scores from the three phases of competition, the highest scoring pony of each height section will be declared champion of its section. Additionally, the highest scoring pony overall will be declared the week’s Grand Champion. The Model and Under Saddle phases will each count towards 25% of the overall score with the remaining 50% to be determined by the Over Fences Phase.

Small Regular Pony Hunter

Emma Kurtz (Hudson, OH) remains in excellent form at the 2013 US Pony Finals, currently sitting atop the standings in the Small Regular Pony Hunter Championship with Dr. Betsee Parker’s Bit of Love. She and the seven-year-old Welsh Pony Cross gelding started the day off by winning the Model phase on a score of 256.00. The pair then returned to the show ring to claim the blue ribbon in the Under Saddle phase with a score of 262.00 for a combined score of 518.00.

Lying in second place are Mimi Gochman (New York, NY) and David Gochman’s Rafael with a combined score of 509.00 following the first two phases. She and the 10-year-old Welsh Pony gelding scored a 251.00 in the Model phase to finish in third place then received a score of 258.00 for second-place finish in the Under Saddle phase.

Hana Bieling (Wellington, FL) and Kathryn McCarthy’s Canterbrook Prince Charming have a combined score of 507.50, putting them in third place. She and the eight-year-old Welsh Pony Cross gelding were second in the Model phase with a score of 255.00 and 10th in the Under Saddle phase with a score of 252.50.

Medium Regular Pony Hunter

Daisy Farish (Versailles, KY) rode Redfield Farm’s Sassafras Creek in an impressive effort at the 2013 US Pony Finals to win the Medium Regular Pony Hunter Championship with the 14-year-old Welsh Pony Cross mare with a remarkable total score of 1035.50.

Daisy Farish and Sassafras Creek (Shawn McMillen Photography)
Daisy Farish and Sassafras Creek (Shawn McMillen Photography)

“She is very good for this competition; she is very quiet,” Farish said of her mount ‘Sassy.’ “I usually don’t get nervous but I actually was this time,” she responded when asked about the pressure going into the arena last for the Over Fences phase.

With Sassafras Creek’s smooth rhythm, the pair made the course looking easy earning a score of 262.25 to win the final phase of the championship.

“The last line people had trouble with since the last fence was heading toward the in gate,” Farish explained, but the pair finished the course well receiving high scores from the judges.

While Farish does have another ride in the Small Regular Pony Hunter division, this may be her last US Pony Finals as she has been spending more time riding horses for the Junior Hunter divisions. If that is the case, she had an impressive finish to her Pony Hunter career.

Taylor St Jacques (Glenallen, VA) and Amanda Pennington’s Elegance took the Reserve Champion title with a score of 1011.00. She and the eight-year-old Welsh/Thoroughbred mare scored 257.50 in the Over Fences phase to finish second in the class.

Competition continues Friday with the Large Regular Pony Hunter divisions completing the Model and Under Saddle phases in the morning with the Small Regular Pony Hunter being crowned in the afternoon following the Over Fences phase.

By Kathleen Landwehr

To learn more about the 2013 US Pony Finals, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/pony/ponyFinals.aspx.

For Results, Schedules and more, visit: http://usefconnect.com/ponyfinals/.

Pony, Show Jumping, USEF

Zone Four Faultless to Earn 2013 Team Championship at the US National Pony Jumper Championships

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Team Medalists (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – Clear rounds were the order of the day in the Alltech Arena on Thursday evening as 11 teams went to task over Marc Donovan’s 12-obstacle track. Team medals in the US National Pony Jumper Championship were at stake as competition was held in the two-round Nations Cup format. Following the first round the top six teams came back to jump the same course in round two, in addition to 12 combinations that were jumping for individual classification.

For a second consecutive year, the team from Zone Four proved unbeatable as they cruised to the Gold medal on a score of zero faults. All four riders, Morgan Gravely, Micaela Smith, Cooper Dean, and Heather Vaxer, jumped double clear for Zone Four on Thursday.

“Our whole team rode it really well and it worked out great,” said Gravely (High Springs, FL) of the course, of which her own and Celia Evan’s Dragon’s Lair Banner made light work in the lead-off position for the team. “Last year, Zone Four won too, and it was all new riders this year and to come and win is awesome.”

Echoing her teammate’s thoughts on how meaningful it was to win, Smith (Clover, SC) was ecstatic with her pony Blue Me Away’s performance and that of the Zone Four spirit.

“I’ve never won anything this big before in my life,” said Smith. “We were pretty pumped up when one of us went clear.”

Dean (Fayette, AL) has only been riding his pony American Hero for a year, but has quickly forged a relationship with the gelding.

“He’s the best pony I could ever have.  I’ve only had him a year but it has been the best year of my life and to come and do this (win), it’s just unbelievable.”

Riding in the anchor position for Zone Four, Vaxer (Del Ray Beach, FL) did not have to jump her own Cha Cha Cha in the second round as her team had already clinched Gold, but did so to maintain her Individual standing. She also felt it was important to continue to contribute alongside her teammates.

“I’m really excited; there’s a lot of adrenaline. We have a really strong team; they’re all so supportive. We all knew how we wanted to plan this. It was a lot of pressure but it all worked out.”

Collecting the Silver medal was the Zone Five Combined Team with eight total faults. Jumping in the anchor position, Caitlyn Conors (Glen Mills, PA) added her name to the double-clear list with two immaculate trips on her own Break Away. Carson Ruff (Maple Park, IL) was the lead-off rider for her team, producing four- and zero-fault rounds with Sarah Ruff’s Jet Pilot, while Emma Ellis (Annapolis, MD) was clear in round one and had a single rail in round two to collect four faults with her own Tangled Up in Blue. Rounding out the Zone Five Combined Team was Emma Bach (Cincinnati, OH) and Maria Kneipp’s Lucky Charm.

Zone Seven earned the Bronze medal after completing the two rounds of jumping on a score of 27. Their team was composed of Caroline Zaunbrecher (Lafayette, LA) with her own Fire Van Battenbroek, Madison Massey (Pelham , AL) and Picasso, Sedona Chamblee (Keller, TX) with her own Lucky Star and double-clear combination Elizabeth McDougald (Lawton, OK), and her own Knock My Sox Off.

A total of nine combinations jumped double clear on Thursday night including Zone Four’s Gravely, Smith, Dean and Vaxer, along with Zone Five Combined Team’s Connors, Zone Seven’s McDougald and Christina Rodriguez (Dade City, FL) and her own A Lotta Moxie of Team Blue as well as Camilla Siekmann (Washington Crossing, PA) with her own Mist of a Champion from Zone Two and Team Red’s Elena Stoltzfus (Gap, PA) with Hugh Cann’s Swears Like a Sailor.

In Individual standings, Gravely, Dean, Vaxer, Connors, McDougald, Rodriguez, Siekmann, and Stoltzfus all lead on a three round total of zero faults.

The Individual Champion for the 2013 US National Pony Jumper Championship will crowned following the conclusion of Friday’s Individual Final.

By Helen Murray

To follow all the action from the US National Pony Jumper Championship and the 2013 US Pony Finals, visit: http://usefconnect.com/ponyfinals/.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Pony

Northwind Marin, Show Me Love, and Yes It’s True Receive Green Pony Hunter Championship Titles

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Emma Kurtz and Yes It’s True (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – The first championship titles of the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans were claimed Wednesday as the Green Hunter ponies completed their final phase of competition in the 2013 US Pony Finals. The judging panel of Chance Arakelian, William Sparks, and Jeff Wirthman assessed the hunter ponies in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Walnut Arena until weather caused the Under Saddle phase of the Medium Regular Pony Hunters to be moved to the Covered Arena.

Emma Kurtz’s success continued as she claimed the Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship, Small Green Pony Hunter Championship, and finally the Overall Green Pony Hunter Championship. Daisy Farish gave her mount a seasoned ride to earn the Large Green Pony Hunter Championship title.

The US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans are determined by calculating the scores from the three phases of competition, the highest scoring pony of each height section will be declared champion of its section. Additionally, the highest scoring pony overall will be declared the week’s Grand Champion. The Model and Under Saddle phases will each count towards 25% of the overall score with the remaining 50% to be determined by the Over Fences Phase.

Large Green Pony Hunter

Farish (Versailles, KY) and Prue Richardson’s Northwind Marin took top honors in the Large Green Pony Hunter Championship. After a smooth round in the Over Fences phase to score 248.75 and finish in third place, she and the seven-year-old cross-bred gelding completed the competition with a total score of 1005.50.

“It feels really good,” Farish said of her win. “I have never won the Greens before.”

“When we were schooling, he was good but we got to the ring and he wasn’t so sure,” explained Farish. “Once he started going he was really good.”

The Reserve Champion title went to Aleece Jarman (Pace, FL) and Britney Jarman’s Casanova with a total score of 990.00. Jarman and the five-year-old German Riding Pony gelding scored 246.50 in the Over Fences phase to receive the fourth place ribbon.

Morgan Ward (Milford, NJ) and Redfield Farm’s Isport finished in third place in the Large Green Pony Hunter Championship with a total score of 980.00. She and the 11-year-old German Riding Pony mare won the Over Fences phase with a score of 250.50.

Medium Green Pony Hunter

After finishing with a total score of 1007.00, Kurtz (Hudson, OH) and Scott Stewart’s Show Me Love claimed the winning title in the Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship. Kurtz had notable performances with the six-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding, including a second-place finish in Wednesday’s Over Fences phase with a score of 247.50.

“He was really quiet and liked the jumps,” Kurtz said of her ride. The pair’s flowing round made an impression on the judges, helping them clinch the championship title.

Kirklen Petersen (Great Valls, VA) and David Glefke’s Foot Steps were named the Reserve Champions with a total score of 994.50. She and the flashy eight-year-old palomino German Riding Pony mare scored a 245.50 to finish in fourth place in the Over Fences phase.

Only 0.5 points behind Petersen was Coco Fath (Fairfield, CT) and Katherine Arliss’ seven-year-old Welsh Pony mare Rosmel’s Fairy Steps, to finish in third in the championship with an overall score of 994.00. The pair also received the third place ribbon in the Over Fences phase.

Small Green Pony Hunter

Kurtz continued her dominance by winning the Small Green Pony Hunter Championship with Sofia Roberts, LLC’s Yes It’s True, completing the competition with a phenomenal overall score of 1018.00. She and the eight-year-old cross-bred mare produced a near perfect round in the Over Fences phase to win with a score of 256.00.

“It feels great,” Kurtz said of her Small Green Pony Hunter Championship win. With the highest score of the Green Pony Hunters, beating herself on her Medium Green Pony Hunter mount by 11 points, Kurtz and Yes It’s True were crowned with the Overall Green Pony Hunter Champion title. “It feels really awesome,” she said of the title, all in her first year of being a champion at the US Pony Finals. When asked if she expected to have the results that she has had so far, Kurtz replied, “No, I didn’t expect it at all.”

The Reserve Champion title went to Augusta Iwasaki (Calabasas, CA) and Iwasaki and Reilly’s Small Introduction with a total score of 998.00. She and the seven-year-old Welsh Pony mare were boosted into the Reserve Champion position on the strength of a third-place finish in the Over Fences phase with a score of 254.50.

Alexandra Pielet (Highland Park, IL) and Mia Green’s seven-year-old Welsh Pony mare GF Forget Me Not took home the third place ribbon with a total score of 985.50. With a score of 248.25, the pair finished fourth in the Over Fences phase.

Medium Regular Pony Hunter

Competition ended late Wednesday evening with the Medium Regular Pony Hunters performing their Under Saddle phase. Elizabeth Shelbred (Greenwich, CT) and Autumn Farms’ 12-year-old German Riding Pony mare Dream Girl won the Under Saddle phase with a score of 256.00. Farish and Redfield Farm’s 14-year-old Welsh Pony Cross mare Sassafras Creek currently lead the Medium Regular Pony Hunter division with a score of 511.00.

Thursday begins with Small Regular Pony Hunter division’s Model phase followed by their Under Saddle phase. In the afternoon, the Medium Regular Pony Hunter division will perform their Over Fences phase to conclude their competition and crown a champion.

By Kathleen Landwehr

To learn more about the 2013 US Pony Finals, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/pony/ponyFinals.aspx.

For Results, Schedules and more, visit: http://usefconnect.com/ponyfinals/.

Hunter/Equitation, USEF

US Hunter Pony Championships Begin at 2013 US Pony Finals

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Emma Kurtz and Yes It’s True (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Yes It’s True, Show Me Love and Northwind Marin Hold Early Leads in Green Pony Hunter Divisions; Grand All Over Scores Model Phase Win in Medium Regular Pony Hunter Division

Lexington, KY – The 2013 US Pony Finals officially kicked off on Tuesday with Green Hunter Ponies and Medium Regular Hunter Ponies taking their first steps towards National Titles in the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans. Small, Medium and Large Greens all completed their Model and Under Saddle phases in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Walnut Arena, while Medium Regular Hunter Ponies performed their Model phase in front of the judging panel of Chance Arakelian, William Sparks and Jeff Wirthman.

Emma Kurtz enjoyed an extremely successful day to hold the overnight lead in the Small Green Pony Hunter division, the Medium Green Pony Hunter division and the Medium Regular Pony Hunter division. She leads with Yes It’s True, Show Me Love and Grand All Over respectively. In the Large Green Pony Hunter division Daisy Farish and Northwind Marin hold a slight edge over Kurtz to head into Wednesday’s Over Fences Phase on top of the leaderboard.

The US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans are determined by calculating the scores from the three phases of competition, the highest scoring pony of each height section will be declared champion of its section.  Additionally, the highest scoring pony overall will be declared the week’s Grand Champion. The Model and Under Saddle phases will each count towards 25% of the overall score with the remaining 50% to be determined by the Over Fences Phase.

Small Green Pony Hunter

In the Small Green Pony Hunter division, Kurtz (Hudson, OH) and Yes It’s True jumped out to the early lead with strong performances in Tuesday’s two phases. Kurtz (Hudson, OH) and Sofia Roberts, LLC’s eight-year-old cross-bred mare began the day with a second place finish in the Model Phase, scoring 247. The talented pair returned to the Walnut Arena later in the day to score 259 and earn the top placing in the Under Saddle phase. They head into Wednesday’s Over Fences Phase holding a 12 point lead on a two-phase total of 506.

After the completion of two phases of competition, Morgan Champey and her own 10-year-old Warmblood mare Maple Leafs Opulence lie in second place. In the Model Phase the pair earned fourth place with a score of 246. Champey (Far Hills, NJ) and Maple Leafs Opulence returned for Tuesday’s second phase to score 247 and earn a fifth place finish in the Under Saddle portion of competition. They stand on a two-phase total of 493.

Lying in third place following the first two phases of the Small Green Pony Hunter division is Lauren Gallagher and Cold Spring Farm’s H.G. Mud Puddles. Gallagher (Oxford, PA) and the seven-year-old Half-Welsh mare earned 14th place in the morning’s model with a score of 235 and returned to score 257 and earn second place in the Under Saddle phase. The combination will enter the Over Fences Phase on a total of 492.

Mackensie Altheimer (Tampa, FL) and ABA Hunter Ponies’ eight-year-old Welsh Pony mare Heavens to Betsey was the winner of the Model Phase in the Small Green Pony Hunter division with a score of 250.

Small Green Pony Hunter division concludes Wednesday with the Over Fences Phase.

Medium Green Pony Hunter

Kurtz will also head into the final phase of Medium Green Pony Hunter competition as the overnight leader after earning top scores with Scott Stewart’s Show Me Love. The six-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding earned second place finishes in the Model Phase of competition with a score of 253. Kurtz returned in the afternoon and demonstrated her proficiency in the Under Saddle Phase to again earning a score of 259 and her second victory of the day. Show Me Love stands on a two phase total of 512 heading into the Over Fences portion of the Medium Green Pony Hunter division.

Lying eight and a half points behind Kurtz is Kirklen Petersen and David Glefke’s Foot Steps. Petersen (Great Falls, VA) and the eight-year-old Palomino mare began the day with a fourth place effort in the Model Phase, scoring 252. In the Under Saddle Phase the pair earned a 251.5 for fifth place. They stand in overall second place on a score of 503.5 with one phase of competition left to complete.

Coco Fath (Fairfield, CT) lays third overnight on an overall score of 501 with Katherine Arliss’ seven-year-old Welsh Pony Rosmel’s Fairy Steps. In the Model Phase, the pair scored 247 for seventh place and returned later in the day to earn second place in the Under Saddle Phase with a score of 254.

Sierra Gundersen (Ridgefield, CT) and her own 10-year-old Welsh Pony mare earned a score of 254 to top the Model Phase of the Medium Green Pony Hunter division.

Medium Green Pony Hunter division concludes Wednesday with the Over Fences Phase.

Daisy Farish and Northwind Marin (Shawn McMillen Photography)
Daisy Farish and Northwind Marin (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Large Green Pony Hunter

Topping the day one overall standings and the Under Saddle portion of competition in the Large Green Pony Hunter division is Farish (Versailles, KY), who piloted Prue Richardson’s seven-year-old cross-bred gelding Northwind Marin to a score of 263 in Tuesday’s second phase. Farish, the 2011 Overall Small Pony Hunter Grand Champion, placed sixth earlier in the day in the Model Phase. She will head into Wednesday on an overall score of 508.

Kurtz, who lies second in the Large Green Pony Hunter division on a score of 503, added another top placing to her name on Wednesday as she topped the Model Phase for the Large Green Pony Hunter division with Stewart’s seven-year-old Welsh Pony cross gelding All My Love, scoring 252. In the Under Saddle portion of competition the pair finished in sixth place with a score of 251.

Laurel Bennet (Carlisle, PA) and her own six-year-old Mecklenburg gelding Harrison stand third heading into Wednesday’s final phase with an overall total of 499. The pair scored 251 to place second in the Model and eighth in the Under Saddle Phase with a 248.

Large Green Pony Hunter division concludes Wednesday with the Over Fences Phase.

Medium Regular Pony Hunter

Competition came to close on Wednesday with the Medium Regular Hunter Pony division performing their Model Phase. Heading the field following the Model Phase are Kurtz and David Gochman’s Welsh Pony Grand All Over who scored an impressive 257 on Tuesday.

To learn more about the 2013 US Pony Finals, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/pony/ponyFinals.aspx.

For Results, Schedules and more, visit: http://usefconnect.com/ponyfinals/.

By Helen Murray