Lexington, Ky – Aug. 12, 2021 – Small Pony Hunters were the highlight in the Rolex Arena Thursday afternoon to conclude day three of competition at the 2021 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farms. 86 small ponies came back in reverse order of their current standings in the class to try their hand at the nine obstacle course, Lauren Zarnegin and Rollinwoods Knee Deep ultimately earned the coveted Regular Small Hunter Champion title after leading the way in the over fences, under saddle and model.
Kentucky’s favorite course designer, Bobby Murphy, once again designed the beautiful nine obstacle course for the Regular Small Pony Hunter Over Fences. In Thursday’s round, the course challenged all 86 horse and rider combinations to keep a consistent and forward pace throughout the entirety of the round. The first jump caused many issues with several riders as it rode right off the corner and caught the ponies by surprise. Zarnegin and Rollingwoods Knee Deep proved to be a strong contender as they maneuvered seamlessly throughout the course.
Zarnegin and Rollingwoods Knee Deep, a 19-year-old Welsh Pony gelding owned by Peppermint Stables LLC, came into day two of competition for the Regular Small Pony Hunters, standing in 11th place out of the field of 86 pony and rider combinations. The special partnership between the two became apparent during day one of competition when they caught the judges’ eye during the model and under saddle. The judges were impressed by Rollingwoods Knee Deep conformation and demeanor during the model, helping them score a 240.060. In the under saddle, the pair truly shined, earning eighth place and a score of 255.600, putting them into 11th place overall going into day two of competition. The dynamic duo continued their winning ways during day two of competition where they laid down a jaw-dropping over fences round scoring a 254.760, putting them into third place over fences and securing the champion title.
Elle Boyd and Secret Crush, an 8-year-old Welsh Pony Cross owned by Jill Shulman, were not far behind Zarnegin and Rollingwoods Knee Deep after taking home second place in the over fences class with a score of 264, helping them secure a combined score of 1005.110, just 0.07 points shy of the leader. Boyd is no stranger to the winners circle in the Small Pony Hunters winning the tri-color ribbon on several different mounts at venues, including the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Tryon and Aiken. This horse and rider combination were awarded for the fantastic form, ample pace and eager expression they showcased throughout the course.
The 2021 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farm, will continue Friday at 7 am with the Regular Medium Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle. The day will conclude in the Rolex Ring with the 2020 Large Green Hunter Over Fences, and the crowing of the Medium and Large Green’s will occur after the over fences. The Claiborne will play host to the Jumper Individual Phase II and Team Championship. Competition at the 2021 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farm, will conclude Sunday, August 15, with the highly anticipated Pony Medal.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Lauren Zarnegin, Regular Small Green Hunter Champion
On Rollingwoods Knee Deep:
“We started leasing him at the beginning of July, and this is our second show. Our first show was last week at the Kentucky Summer Classic. He’s been a really great pony so far, and easy to bond with. In his stall, he’ll only let you go in if he has a treat. Otherwise he gets really mad. He loves food! He’s awesome and I’m so grateful I get to ride him. The Lignellis told me he was a really special pony. I want to thank them for letting me ride him.”
On winning the Small Green Hunter Champion:
“My plan was just to stay out, not cut corners, and keep calm. It means a lot to win. It doesn’t even feel real. I’m really excited to take the win back home to California. Yesterday I was really nervous before getting into the hack, and today I was really nervous because this is my first time doing the Smalls. I hadn’t done the regular division before. I showed in the Short Stirrup last week.”
On USEF Pony Finals:
“I’ve been to Pony Finals before, but I’ve only done the models and hacks. This was my first time doing the over fences. My favorite thing about Pony Finals is meeting new people that I don’t normally get to see on the West Coast, and getting to see all of these great ponies. The overall experience is fun. ”
On their usual routine:
“He doesn’t need a lot at home because he knows his job really well. We do just a little bit throughout the week. I started training with Tracy before the 2018 Pony Finals. I stayed until the beginning of COVID-19, then rode with another trainer for about six months before coming back to Tracy.”
Traci Brooks, Trainer of Regular Small Green Hunter Champion
On Lauren:
“Lauren is amazing. She’s a great student. She studies very hard and tries very hard. She’s very serious and a good statistician who knows all the ponies and all the riders and pays attention at all times. We were hoping that she believed she could do it, because we always knew she could do it. I’m so glad that everything came together. She rode the plan exactly today.”
On their plans for today and the future:
“We wanted to go around and be solid today. We weren’t even sure until yesterday that we were going to jump, because we didn’t want to put any extra pressure on Lauren since it’s a new partnership. She did the Short Stirrup last week, and today we did the model and the hack. We were happy if that’s all we did, but she was so good we said, ‘Let’s just see how we do. We don’t care if you jump one jump and come out!” We know how wonderful [Rollingwoods Knee Deep] is and she was in good hands. We knew no matter what she would be safe. She’s been better every day and more comfortable every day so we decided to jump, have fun, and be safe.”
Results
Regular Small Green Hunter Over Fences
Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
1. Mr. Magoo / Collin Sweetnam / Sweet Oak Farm / 264.580
2. Secret Crush / Elle Boyd / Jill Shulman / 264.000
3. Rollingwoods Knee Deep / Lauren Zarnegin / Peppermint Stables LLC / 254.760
4. Reidell Day Dream / Sienna Rossano / Iron Horse Performance Ponies / 254.600
5. Clovermade Pop Secret / Katherine Mercer / Katherine Mercer / 251.860
6. Silver Wishes / Lilyana Spafford / Lilyana Spafford / 251.440
7. Pet Rock/ Mary Kate George / Ramble On Farm / 251.390
8. Farmore State of the Art / Eva Mackenzie / Eva Mackenzie / 244.040
9. Falling Moon Huckleberry / Ever Carella / Glade Run Farm LLC / 243.980
10. Sparkle / Kaitlyn Linck / West Lane Enterprises, LLC / 240.340
11. Snowbound / Currie Cooper / Currie Cooper / 239.030
Regular Small Green Hunter Overall
Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Score
1. Rollingwoods Knee Deep / Lauren Zarnegin / Peppermint Stables LLC / 1005.180
2. Secret Crush / Elle Boyd / Jill Shulman / 1005.110
3. Reidell Day Dream / Sienna Rossano / Iron Horse Performance Ponies / 1002.990
4. Clovermade Pop Secret / Katherine Mercer / Katherine Mercer / 998.980
5. Mr. Magoo / Collin Sweetnam / Sweet Oak Farm / 998.700
6. Private Message / Ella Endzweig / Twin Island, LLC / 992.730
7. Westley / Vivan Golden / Olivia Golden, LLC / 992.730
8. Falling Moon Huckleberry / Ever Carella / Glade Run Farm LLC / 986.250
9. Silver Wishes / Lilyana Spafford / Lilyana Spafford / 985.280
10. Sir Lukas / Olivia Sweetnam / Cumberland Acres, LLC / 969.980
11. Snowbound / Currie Cooper / Currie Cooper / 959.330