A beautiful performance in the over fences phase secured Lilly Herzog and Boca’s Entourage the top spot in a field of 56 combinations in the USEF Small Green Pony Hunter National Championship. Herzog (Pepper Pike, Ohio) and the 2016 Welsh cross gelding (EMC Entourage x Raquel) owned by Ponies and Palms Show Stables earned a score of 510.70 in the over fences along with scores of 246.21 in the model phase and 269.85 in the under saddle phase. Their overall score of 1026.76 clinched Boca’s Entourage’s first Pony Finals title.
“It’s a fun feeling – definitely an unmatched emotion,” expressed Herzog after her win. “I was pretty nervous today, but I knew that my team behind me has him and me so well prepared that there really was nothing to worry about. I was thinking about how great of an experience it is for him, and that even though it may be my last time showing him, he’s going to come back here and have another great experience.”
Lilly Herzog and Boca’s Entourage
Danielle Menker trains Boca’s Entourage for the Butzer Family, who own Ponies and Palms Show Stables in Boca Raton, FL. Herzog, who rides with Amanda Lyerly, began showing the talented pony in December during the Winter Equestrian Festival, before reconnecting with him during the Kentucky Horse Shows for this year’s championship. Menker chose Herzog to show the pony because of her calm demeanor and ability to bring out the best in all her mounts, and Herzog has enjoyed getting to know Boca’s Entourage.
“He likes a confident ride,” noted Herzog. “He’s confident as it is, so he likes you to match his confidence.”
This marks Herzog’s fourth year at Pony Finals, and she loves all that the week offers to competitors.
“I like the whole atmosphere,” she concluded. “It’s a reconnection point for everyone all across the country. It’s really fun to see some faces that I don’t get to see throughout the entire year. Being in the Rolex is such a grand feeling too, it’s unmatched to the rest of the shows.”
Reserve champion honors went to Chandler Wilks (Canton, Ga.) and Love Note (Mapleside Mr. Magic x Farnley), a 2014 Welsh Pony mare owned by Kristin Reid. Cisy Zhou (New York, N.Y.) rode Simply Blue (Blue Fox x Canadian Ridge), a 2014 Welsh Pony gelding, to a win in the over fences and third-place honors in the overall championship for owner Epic Equine LLC.
Chandler Wilks and Love Note
Watch Lilly Herzog and Boca’s Entourage’s over fences round