Lexington, KY – May 11, 2024 – Leading the way from start to finish, GC Ponies LLC’s D’Artangnan and Lilly Herzog claimed the $1,500 USHJA Pony Derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. An addition to the horse show schedule for 2024, this new class offered a new opportunity for junior riders to showcase their mounts ahead of the 2024 Pony Finals, being held at the Kentucky Horse Park in August.
D’Artangnan, a 14-year-old imported German Riding Pony (Donnerhall x Top Girl), is no stranger to the winners circle, whose extensive accolades include being the 2021 Large Pony Champion at USEF Pony Final and winning the 2021 $5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby on the Derby Field at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
![](https://kentuckyhorseshows.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_9642Dartagnan.jpg)
Lilly Herzog and D’Artangnan
“Today has been quite busy, I got up at 5:30 am and have been back and forth between the Murphy Ring and Walnut Ring all day,” explained Herzog. “D’Artangnan is so sweet – he is an old soul for sure. He always wants to cuddle.”
![](https://kentuckyhorseshows.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_9214HisWay.jpg)
Chayse Patrick and His Way
Second place went to another large pony, Josephine Rose’s His Way, also a veteran pony hunter, whose accolades include the 2018 Grand Pony Hunter Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Chayse Patrick and His Way topped the handy round with a score of 85 to climb up the rankings. Rounding out the top three was the small pony Sugar Rush and Corrigan Janiak, with an 84 in the handy round.
![](https://kentuckyhorseshows.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_9514SugarRush.jpg)
Corrigan Janiak and Sugar Rush
Riders will have the opportunity to compete in another $1,500 USHJA Pony Derby during next week’s Kentucky Spring Classic.