Lexington, Ky. – July 30, 2020 – Competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic continued Thursday, July 30, featuring another day of top sport at the Kentucky Horse Park. With primarily hunter competition taking place in the Claiborne ring, the USEF Large Pony Medal broke up the hunter judging at the end of the day, highlighting junior talent as they displayed skill and strength in a variety of equitation classes. Besting a competitive field was Emma Brosius and Aramba Jolie Versace, who claimed the top spot in the USEF Large Pony Medal.
Emma Brosius and Aramba Jolie Versace
Run in a similar format to the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, pony riders in the small, medium and large divisions are each given the opportunity to showcase their equitation in the USEF Pony Medal, as well as garner points toward qualification for the 2020 USEF Pony Medal Final National Championship set to take place Sunday, August 9 at the Kentucky Horse Park as a part of the USEF Pony Finals, presented by Collecting Gaits Farm.
The medal course was a challenging one, testing the handiness of each combination through rollback turns and a trot fence. Brosius rode a tidy track aboard the 14-year-old grey mare, showing her ability to adjust her ponies step while maintaining her position. While Brosius is already qualified for the Finals with 31 points to her name, the 12-year-old rider’s win solidifies her readiness to excel to the finals in the next week.
Rachael Lomel and Woodlands Lightning Thief
Placing second in the USEF Large Pony Medal was Rachael Lomel and Michael Whitaker’s Woodlands Lightning Thief, a 9-year-old Welsh Pony Cross gelding. Rounding out the top three was Lux Paine and the 14-year-old Welsh/Thoroughbred mare owned by Jessica Kupser, Stonewall Eleanor.
Lux Paine and Stonewall Eleanor
Equitation competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic will continue Friday, July 31 with the Ariat National Adult Medal set to take place at 8:00 a.m. in the Alltech Arena. The Stonelea and Claiborne rings will pick back up at 8:00 a.m. with the 15 & Under Small Junior Hunters and the Large Pony Hunter division.
RESULTS
USEF Large Pony Medal:
Place / Horse / Rider
1. Aramba Jolie Versace / Emma Brosius
2. Woodlands Lightning Thief / Rachael Lomel
3. Stonewall Eleanor / Lux Paine
4. Spot On / Millie Syroka
5. Tomorrow’s Promise / Liliana Franzese
6. Southern Rhapsody / Susannah Morrell
7. Cottonwood / Cecelia Jackson
8. Dressed Up / Reagan Williams