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.
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.”
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.
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.