Tag Archives: US Pony Finals

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

2013 US Pony Finals Set to Begin in Lexington

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – Starting Tuesday, August 6th, nearly six hundred of the top ponies in the United States will be competing at the 2013 US Pony Finals. The ponies will be ridden by excited youth riders from around the country in hunter, jumper, and equitation classes at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Through Saturday, competition for the US Hunter Pony Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans will be ongoing. Riders will vie for championships in Small, Medium, and Large Regular Hunter and Green Hunter divisions. The Hunter Pony competitions are held in three phases in which a pony’s conformation, movement under saddle, and jumping ability are judged. The first Hunter Pony classes begin Tuesday at 8:00 am ET.

A list of Green Hunter qualified ponies is available here.
A list of Regular Hunter qualified ponies is available here.

The US Pony Jumper Championship starts Wednesday and will feature three classes of individual competition, as well as a team championship on Thursday afternoon. Qualifying information and standings by zone, and nationally, are available at www.usef.org. A list of US Pony Jumper Championship teams is online here.

The culmination of the week, and most coveted of US Pony Finals championships, is the Pony Medal Finals on Sunday in Alltech Arena. During the championship they will be judged head-to-head over a demanding course of fences. U.S. Pony Medal points rankings coming into the US Pony Finals are available online here.

For live scoring, results, a schedule, competitor, and hospitality information, go to www.usefconnect.com.

For many, US Pony Finals will be the first major national championship of their equestrian career, and a cherished memory forever. A national pony championship has been held in the United Sates since 1967, and the Pony Medal Final has been a part of the Finals since 1984. The National Pony Jumper Championships were added to the Finals in 2001 and have been an exciting addition.

Video highlights as well as competition recaps will be available at www.usefnetwork.com.

For more information about US Pony Finals, go to http://www.usef.org/_iframes/breedsdisciplines/discipline/pony/ponyfinals.aspx.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, USEF

Lionshare Farm Wins Top Honors at US Pony Finals and The Jumper Classic

Leave a comment
Parker Wright and Anisette. Photo by Shawn McMillen

Wellington, FL – August 16, 2012 – The US Pony Finals is the much-anticipated, celebrated annual event held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The finest ponies and young riders earn the opportunity to compete at the event, which showcases our country’s future top equestrians.

US Pony Finals proved very successful for trainer, Elizabeth Pandich, and her Lionshare Farm clients and ponies. The plan was to have the riders and ponies performing at their peak for the coveted competition. Pandich’s focused strategy worked like a charm.

In the Medium Green Ponies, Parker Wright expertly piloted Lionshare Farm’s Anisette to second place overall, earning the red ribbon in both the under saddle and over fences out of 66 of the top medium green pony and rider teams from around the country. The pair was awarded the Reserve Championship of the Division.

Continue reading Lionshare Farm Wins Top Honors at US Pony Finals and The Jumper Classic →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, USEF

Lucy Deslauriers and Center Field Win 2012 EquiSport Insurance/US Pony Medal Finals

Leave a comment
Lucy Deslauriers won the Gold Medal at the 2012 EquiSport Insurance/US Pony Medal Finals with Center Field. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – The Alltech Arena was alive with action as the morning fog began to settle over the Kentucky Horse Park. It was the conclusion of the US Pony Hunter Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans and the EquiSport Insurance/US Pony Medal Finals that brought the 2012 US Pony Finals to a bittersweet finale. It was Lucy Deslauriers and Center Field who rode to the top of the leaderboard and garnered the championship prize with two solid rounds and a fantastic final test.

The top 25 riders returned for the second round including 15 medium ponies, five small ponies, and five large ponies. Today’s courses were designed by Bobby Murphy and consisted of an in-and-out, short lines, rollbacks, a halt, and a trot jump, all set in the format of a serpentine with twists and turns to test pony and rider alike. The four top riders of the second round were welcomed back into the ring for a test phase, where they were asked to take the first vertical at a canter and then come to a halt. They immediately picked up the counter canter and took the second obstacle at the far end of the ring, continuing into a left rollback over a white vertical. This was where pace became the name of the game. Riders spurred on their mounts with an open hand gallop, taking the final natural oxer, and returning to the sitting trot as they exited the ring.

Continue reading Lucy Deslauriers and Center Field Win 2012 EquiSport Insurance/US Pony Medal Finals →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Grand Pony Hunter Championship Title Goes to Madeline Schaefer and Hi Lite at 2012 US Pony Finals

Leave a comment
Madeline Schaefer and Hi Lite win the Grand Pony Hunter Championship (Kendall Bierer/PMG)

Lexington, KY – It was the crowning of the champions today at the Kentucky Horse Park as the 2012 US Pony Finals and US National Pony Hunter Champions completed their fifth day of competition. It was the Large Pony Hunter Over Fences that dawned on the Walnut Arena early this morning, and Meredith Darst aboard For The Laughter stole the show with their fantastic round, capturing the Overall Large Pony Hunter Championship for the second consecutive year. As the US National Hunter Pony Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans came to a conclusion, the Grand Pony Championship title was presented to Madeline Schaefer and Hi Lite for their efforts in the Small Pony Hunter division.

Earlier in the week, Madeline Schaefer of Westminster, MD, and Hi Lite had an incredible performance in the Small Pony Hunter division. They were third in the rankings heading into the over fences phase, but with a beautiful trip, they scored the blue ribbon and were eventually presented with the Overall Small Pony Hunter Championship. Their phenomenal scores of 88, 90 and 88 gave them overall total of 1047.20 points. The pair was also awarded the International Jumping Derby Perpetual Trophy as Overall Grand Hunter Pony Champion.

Continue reading Grand Pony Hunter Championship Title Goes to Madeline Schaefer and Hi Lite at 2012 US Pony Finals →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Madeline Schaefer Picks Up Second Overall Pony Hunter Championship with Hi Lite in the Small Pony Hunters at 2012 US Pony Finals

Leave a comment
Madeline Schaefer claimed the Overall Medium Pony Hunter Championship. (Kendall Bierer/PMG)

Lexington, KY – The rain had dissipated, and a cool brisk day greeted young riders and their ponies for the fourth day of the 2012 US Pony Finals and US National Pony Hunter Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans. The Large Pony Hunters took center stage in the Walnut ring early in the morning, completing their model and under saddle phases. It was a demanding day of competition for the Small Pony Hunters as they completed the final phase, the over fences. At the end of the day it was Madeline Schaefer and Hi Lite who claimed the Overall Small Pony Hunter Championship for their outstanding consistency throughout the division, and astounding round over fences.

It is Schaefer’s fifth year competing at the US National Pony Hunter Championships, and so far she has proven herself to be a dominating force in the irons of her talented mounts. Already having picked up the Medium Green Hunter Pony Championship on the second day of competition with her own Frosted, Schaefer continued her success with Hi Lite, riding to the blue ribbon in the over fences with the outstanding scores of 88, 90 and 88 for an overall total of 1047.20 points. The duo was ranked second going into today’s class, with the second and third place honors from the model and the under saddle, respectively.

Continue reading Madeline Schaefer Picks Up Second Overall Pony Hunter Championship with Hi Lite in the Small Pony Hunters at 2012 US Pony Finals →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Keely Laughlin and Larger Than Life Win Individual National Pony Jumper Championship at 2012 US Pony Finals

Leave a comment
Keely Laughlin and Larger Than Life at the 2012 US Pony Finals. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG)

Lexington, Kentucky – There was a sense of electricity as the wrap up of the US National Pony Jumper Championship got underway at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park with the Individual Competition Finals. Riders from around the country spent the year training and qualifying for today, but the intensity surrounded two young girls as they went head to head in the jump off. It was Keely Laughlin and Larger Than Life who emerged as 2012 Individual Jumper Champion.

The original course design, constructed by Marc Donovan, consisted of 13 strategically placed obstacles and combinations to challenge the determined pony riders. The course commenced near the in gate with a standalone vertical. The rider then continued diagonally, heading across the course to an oxer where they landed into an immediate right turn to an oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination. Upon coming out of the triple, riders jumped a liverpool near the corner of the ring, rode left to a brick oxer and then continued forward to a grey stone vertical. With a slight bend to an oxer, the line curved around the far end to a red brick vertical and an oxer along the wall. A tight right loop and red offset vertical sent riders back tracking the line with a left turn at the far end to take the oxer leading into a vertical-vertical combination to the closing fence, a standalone to trip the timer.

Continue reading Keely Laughlin and Larger Than Life Win Individual National Pony Jumper Championship at 2012 US Pony Finals →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Gold Medals for Team Four in US National Pony Jumper Team Championship

Leave a comment

Caroline Zaunbrecher and Fire Van Battenbroek takes over individual lead

Zone 4, the US National Pony Jumper Team Champions (Ashley N. Williams/PMG)

Thursday night the determined mounted their ponies to take on the indoor jump course at the Alltech Arena for the 2012 US Pony Finals at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. Riders from all over the nation participated in the US National Pony Jumper Team Championship and also competed at the individual level in phase II, a continuation from Wednesday. By the end of the night, team four united over an outstanding unit score to win the US National Pony Jumper Team Championship. In the second phase of the individual jumper, with a score of 63.511, Caroline Zaunbrecher and Fire Van Battenbroek were ranked in first place.

Designed by Marc Donovan, the freshly constructed jump course was made up of 13 classic jump obstacles. The rider’s opening fence was a double oxer, creating a wide left along the gate side of the ring leading into a diagonal line of a vertical to double oxer. Taking the far side curve to the right, the rider was then challenged to an outside line of verticals separated by four strides and then to a double oxer. A tight right and a maneuver through fences introduced a single double oxer and a lead change to the far end of the course for a series of tight turns and few stride jumps. The last line of the course led jumpers to a double oxer-vertical-vertical combination to double oxer to stop the clock.

Continue reading Gold Medals for Team Four in US National Pony Jumper Team Championship →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Yasmin Rizvi and Roxbury Emerge 2012 Overall Medium Pony Hunter Grand Champions

Leave a comment
Yasmin Rizvi and Roxbury won the Overall Medium Pony Hunter Championship at the 2012 US National Pony Hunter Championship. (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – The young riders and their miniature mounts lined the ramp leading to the Walnut Ring Thursday morning at the Kentucky Horse Park. The third day of the 2012 US National Pony Hunter Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans commenced with the Small Hunter Pony Models and the Under Saddle phases. The final day of competition had arrived for the Medium Pony Hunters, with riders full of anticipation as they walked the course with trepidation. The Overall Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship was awarded to Yasmin Rizvi for her stunning efforts throughout the three days of competition aboard Roxbury.

A cool breeze greeted riders this morning for the third day of the prestigious championships, and clouds awaited in the distance with the threat of afternoon storms; however, the riders were not deterred as they gathered their reins and showcased their mounts. It was Lili Hymowitz and Rafael, owned by David Gochman of New York, NY, who earned the judges’ compliments with the blue ribbon in the Small Pony Hunter Model, with Madeline Schaefer of Westminster, MD, and Hi Lite taking the second place. Hana Bieling and Bluetiful, owned by Aleece Jarman of Pace, FL, took the third place honors.

Continue reading Yasmin Rizvi and Roxbury Emerge 2012 Overall Medium Pony Hunter Grand Champions →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

The Sky’s the Limit as Midnight Heart and Taylor Cox Reach for Starry Wins at USEF Pony Jumper Finals

Leave a comment

Ellyn Fritz and Sailor Moon are bright stars falling into second place at USEF Pony Jumper Finals

Taylor Cox and Midnight Heart won the Individual Phase during the first phase of the US National Pony Jumper Championships. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG)

Lexington, KY – Riders have trained all year to prove their ponies possess the honed skill to jump in the US National Pony Jumper Championships at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. With stadium seating and a lively audience, 31 competitors from around the country attempted a faultless finish and to set an unrivaled time to beat. Putting on an unparalleled performance, rider Taylor Cox and steed Midnight Heart secured the win. Coming in a brisk second, Ellyn Fritz and Sailor Moon cleared the course while making noteworthy time.

Designed by Marc Donovan, the course consisted of 13 obstacles to challenge both horse and rider alike. It began over an oxer set at the far end of the ring. In a bending line riders then took a vertical, and with a hard right rollback continued over a six-stride oxer-liver pool line. Next riders where challenged with an oxer leading into a vertical-vertical combination. With a left turn riders then took a stand alone over headed to the far end of the ring where they took a vertical heading into an oxer-vertical outside line and over a skinny vertical. A sharp right turn took riders to the penultimate oxer and then over the final vertical to trip the timer.

Continue reading The Sky’s the Limit as Midnight Heart and Taylor Cox Reach for Starry Wins at USEF Pony Jumper Finals →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, USEF

Valentino and Aleece Jarman Capture Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2012 US Pony Finals

Leave a comment
Aleece Jarman and Valentino won the Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at the 2012 US Pony Finals. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams

Lexington, KY – The fences were set as the second day of the Green Pony Hunter divisions entered the ring to showcase their talent over fences. The 2012 US National Hunter Pony Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans, continued today at the Kentucky Horse Park, seeing ponies and riders navigate the nine-obstacle course with the hopes of taking the top honors over fences, as well as the prestigious championship and reserve championship titles. As the day came to a close, it was Aleece Jarman and Valentino who claimed the Green Pony Hunter Grand Championship title after winning the Large Green Pony Hunter Over Fences and the Large Green Pony Hunter Championship.

The first to dare Bobby Murphy’s course were the Small Green Pony Hunters. Parker Wright and Benjamin Buttons, owned by Emmalee Virginia, entered the third phase of the competition with the highest overall score and, combined with their excellent round over fences, they climbed to the top of the leaderboard. The pair was awarded the scores of 83.50, 85.50, and 83.50 for a total of 252.50 points. Combined with their first day scores, Wright earned a total 1009.50 points to take the blue ribbon in the over-fences phase, as well as the Small Green Pony Hunter Championship.

Continue reading Valentino and Aleece Jarman Capture Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2012 US Pony Finals →