Lexington, KY – August 4, 2024 – The ponies have arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park, quickly taking over the facility ahead of the 2024 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Marshall & Sterling. With two sections at each height in the Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunter divisions the competition was fierce during the Kentucky Summer Classic to see who would end up on top ahead of the annual championship. At the end of the day, Grace Stenbeck-Werner and Smitten stood above the rest, claiming one of the Small Pony Hunter Champions, and going on to earn the Grand Pony Hunter Championship, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Smitten is a 16-year-old Welsh Pony Cross gelding by Rosmel’s Dressed in Scarlet that Stenbeck-Werner began riding two years ago. “He’s the best boy in the world,” she expressed. “He’s always the same every time I get on him, so I know I can trust him and I love him so much.”
Grace Stenbeck-Werner and Smitten
Stenbeck-Werner and Smitten stayed consistent over the two days of the Small Pony Hunters, winning the Conformation Hunter as well as another over fences class, and placing second in the handy and the under saddle. Their top performance was awarded with the Small Pony Hunter Section A Championship. Once all of the points were totaled across each division eight and section, they returned center ring for the presentation of the Grand Pony Hunter Championship.
Next week, Stenbeck-Werner and Smitten will compete in the Regular Small Pony Hunters during the 2024 USEF Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park. “I love it here because all my friends are here and I also really love the food here,” she smiled. “I just think it’s really fun and I really enjoy it here. I am excited for Pony Finals and I’m looking forward to showing of course, but also seeing all of my friends!”
Sunday marked the conclusion of the Kentucky Summer Classic, but the Pony Hunter excitement will continue next week 2024 USEF Pony Finals. Many riders have also gathered to prepare for the 2024 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship, the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, which will all take place one week later during the Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park. For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.