Lexington, Ky – Aug. 11, 2021 – Day two of competition at the 2021 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farm, continued in the Rolex Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park Wednesday morning with the leaders of the Regular Large and Small Green Pony Hunter divisions competing for the championship honors. After 129 horse and rider combinations tried their hand at the nine obstacle course, Emma Dyson and D’Artagnan emerged as the Regular Large Pony Hunter champion.
Emma Dyson and D’Artagnan
Kentucky’s own Bobby Murphy designed the nine obstacle track, helping showcase the Regular Large Pony Hunters’ big strides and jumping style. In Wednesday’s class, the course challenged many riders with a short approach to a long bending line at the beginning of the course and an technical inside line going away from the gate, testing the riders with a long six side to a two-stride. Dyson and D’Artagnan stepped up to the challenge, laying down a textbook perfect round, scoring a 270.140, which would lead them to the champion title.
Emma Dyson and D’Artagnan
Dyson and D’Artagnan, an 11-year-old German Riding Pony gelding owned by Simply Ponies, LLC, came into day two of competition, standing in fifth place. The pair continued their success Wednesday, laying down a seamless round that helped them secure the champion title with a combined score of 1055.40. Despite having just teamed up in March, these two are no strangers to the winner’s circle. Other top placings including winning at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Lake Placid. Erin Morera and Nominee, an 11-year-old New Forest Pony gelding owned by GC Ponies, LLC, came in a close second, earning the reserve champion title with a total score of 1038.220.
Michelle Berry and Cambridge
Michelle Berry and Cambridge, an 8-year-old Welsh Pony gelding owned by Rabbit Root Stables, LLC, were crowned champion of the Small Green Pony Hunter division after topping the over fences class Wednesday, earning a score of 266.890. The pair came into day two of competition, standing in sixth place overall after taking home second in the model Tuesday with a score of 256.760 and earning an under saddle score of 244.70, putting them at the top of the pack going into day two Wednesday. Berry spoke highly of the talented young pony, expressing how much he shined in the show ring.
Lily Epstein and Pepsi
Lily Epstein and Pepsi, a 7-year-old Welsh Pony gelding owned by Epstein, emerge victorious in the 2020 Small Green Pony Hunter division, claiming champion with a total score of 1012.660. Epstein and Pepsi topped the division during day one of competition, capturing fourth in the under saddle with a score of 253.020 and claiming sixth in the model with a score of 253.020. The dynamic pair were awarded in the over fences during day two of competition for their forward momentum, bold jump and ring presence.
The 2021 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farm, will continue Thursday at 7 am, highlighting the Medium Green Pony Hunt Model and Under Saddle, followed by the Large Green Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle. The Claiborne Ring will showcase the start of the Jumper Individual Competition Phase I and will conclude on Saturday, August 14th, with the Jumper Individual Final. The highly anticipated Pony Medal will complete the 2021 USEF Pony Finals Sunday at 7 am. Competition will continue Wednesday morning with the Regular Small Pony Hunters.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Emma Dyson – Large Pony Hunter Champion
On D’Artagnan:
“His barn name is Beau and he loves treats and he really loves the big ring! I have been riding him since march and I love how even he is when he canters. It took a couple of shows before we clicked but he has always been a really good boy so that made it easier to get to know him.”
On What She Worked on with Him Leading Up to Pony Finals:
“He drifts left a little bit so we work on that and we worked on keeping an even pace throughout the rounds.”
On the Course:
“We wanted to have a lot of pace to the first jump. We also did a different circle than most people because we wanted him to have a good look at the first jump before we got there. I also stayed out of my turn a little bit more in the first line so that he was focusing on the jump and not the grandstands.”
On What Else She Does When She is Not Riding:
“I go to school full time and I play other sports like field hockey. Riding is always my favorite, so I sometimes miss my other practices to ride!”
On Pony Finals:
“I am really happy that my first time at Pony Finals, I was able to be champion! This is really special for me because I have wanted to come here my whole life. I am looking forward to doing the Medal next. I have also really liked riding on the cross country course.”
Chance Arkelian – Large Pony Hunter Champion Trainer
On Training Emma with D’Artagnan:
“Emma came to me last year and we had her on a medium pony. She graduated into the Large Pony’s this year. Maddie (Flox) and I found this pony in Florida during the middle of the circuit and ever since she started riding him, she hit it off with him. He came from Amanda Lirie and Olivia Golden and we couldn’t be happier with him.”
Small Green Pony Hunter Champion
Michelle Berry – Grand Champion of the 2021 Small Green Pony Hunter
On Cambridge:
“He is a catch ride that I have been riding since December at the Desert Horse Park and he is an incredible little pony. His jump and his face make him so special.”
“On her preparation to come to Pony Finals:
“I do a lot of riding and showing but I only meet our trainers at the horse show. I mostly do the junior jumpers and do not have a huge background in the hunters.”
On her Goals for Pony Finals:
“This is probably one of my last rides on him and this show was the main goal of this season.
On her plan in the Over Fences Class:
“My plan for the ring was to trot across the diagonal and pick up the left lead carefully. Then to stay straight around the bushes and go almost to the rail. I wanted to make sure that I had a good enough pace to start off with so I did not have to push down the lines. The rest he did almost perfectly and it all worked out.”
Corinne Belvis – 2021 Small Pony Hunter Champion Trainer
On Cambridge:
“He is owned by three sisters and they do anything from the short stirrup and the walk trot. At home, he does a lot of trail riding and bareback riding and eating treats. He has been a really easy pony. We got him from Amanda Derbyshire, and Chris Endicott helped to find him. We have had him since 2019 and reinstated him after 2020. He does a lot of hanging out but really comes to the party and likes to show. He knows the show is his jam.”
On Training Michelle:
“Michelle is very composed and mature. She is a very talented and accurate rider. It has been a real honor and pleasure to work with her in transitioning from the jumpers to the hunters, which is very different. She has one hunter and the rest are jumpers so having to learn that little bit of finesse has been a challenge but she is very teachable and listens to directions. She is the first one here and the last one to leave and never complains or has a bad attitude and always does what is asked of her.”
RESULTS
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / Score
2021 Large Pony Hunters Overall
D’Artagnan / Emma Dyson / Simply Ponies, LLC / 1055.42
Nominee / Erin Morera / GC Ponies, LLC / 1038.22
Eastside / Clara Propp / Aquitaine Equine / 1019.86
Chiccobello / Agatha Lignelli / Agatha Lignelli / 1015.00
Brighton / Ellie Sadrian / Ellie Sadrain/ 1007.60
So Driven / Aedan Mooney / Desi Cyr / 999.20
Lafayette Park / Evana Somareddy / Evana Somareddy / 997.57
Valentino / Hailey Guidry / Honor Hill Farm LLC / 994.79
WhatDoYaSay? / Evelyn Bay / Evelyn Bay / 994.14
So Dapper / Kalea Luliano / Kalea Luliano / 986.98
Until Tomorrow / Maya Thomas / Maya Thomas / 984.73
2021 Large Pony Hunters Over Fences
D’Artagnan / Emma Dyson / Simply Ponies, LLC / 270.140
Nominee / Erin Morera / GC Ponies, LLC / 268.220
Lafayette Park / Evana Somareddy / Evana Somareddy / 261.540
Eastside / Clara Propp / Aquitaine Equine / 257.610
Front Row / Olivia Sweetnam / Caroline Hoover / 255.850
WhatDoYaSay? / Evelyn Bay / Evelyn Bay / 255.030
Crocodile Rock / Claudia Rogers / Elizabeth Grayce Rogers / 254.460
California Dreamin’ / McKayla Brombach / Millennium Farm Inc / 253.680
Storyteller / Maddie Tosh / Betsee Parker / 253.120
Alleghany / Sophia Baranowski / Sophia Baranowski / 252.560
Chiccobello / Agatha Lignelli / Agatha Lignelli / 247.160
2021 Small Green Pony Hunter Over Fences
Cambridge / Michelle Berry / Rabbit Root Stables, LLC / 266.890
Stella Blue / Olivia Sweetnam / WTS Ponies / 266.370
Memphis / Hailey Guidry / Samantha Schaefer / 247.860
Wonder Woman / Emi Richard / Epic Farm LLC / 247.150
Fortnite / Carsyn Korotkin / Castlewood Farm, Inc / 246.540
Blush / Eddyn Molden / Mary Lou Glover / 244.360
Tiny Dancer / Anya Vasko / Pat Cantwell / 243.850
Celebration / Annabelle Brown / Alina McLean / 232.980
Bluegrass Sensation / Finley Scheffel / Cynthia Bellis-Jones / 232.170
Jamrock / Zoey Chambers / Willson Sporthorses, LLC / 230.170
Helicon Surprise Notice / Lucy Butler / Molly Rinedollar / 223.300
2021 Small Green Pony Hunters Overall
Cambridge / Michelle Berry / Rabbit Root Stables, LLC / 1035.260
Stella Blue / Olivia Sweetnam / WTS Ponies / 1034.920
Memphis / Hailey Guidry / Samantha Schaefer / 1016.070
Fortnite / Carsyn Korotkin / Castlewood Farm, Inc / 992.410
Wonder Woman / Emi Richard / Epic Farm LLC / 978.460
Celebration / Annabelle Brown / Alina McLean / 973.400
Blush / Eddyn Molden / Mary Lou Glover / 971.770
Tiny Dancer / Anya Vasko / Pat Cantwell / 939.140
Uptown / Vivian Golden / Vivian Golden / 933.820
Bluegrass Sensation / Finley Scheffel / Cynthia Bellis-Jones / 922.760
Jamrock / Zoey Chambers / Willson Sporthorses, LLC / 922.760
2020 Small Green Pony Hunters Overall
Pepsi / Lily Epstein / Lily Epstein / 1012.660
Abby Dabby Doo / Kolbie Watson / Juliette Edwards-Bishop / 985.740
DF Crush / Sienna Rossano / Cumberland Acres LLC / 973. 580
Dream Big / Reagan Jarrett / Reagan Jarrett / 972.650
Dressed N Gold / McKayla Brombach / Millennium Farm LLC / 969.920
In My Dreams / Luca Endzweig / Twin Island, LLC / 941.000
Minion / Kathryn Gooden / Kendall Kauffman / 883.370
Hondo The Magnificent / Kaitlyn Linck / Millstar Ponies / 882.260
Clovermeade Heartbreaker / Reilly Robertson / Reilly Robertson / 880.080
Loafers Lodge Sweet Pea / Savannah Jurs / Sara Gentry / 838.290
Our Little Rascal / Ava Roof / Ava Roof / 824.750