Lexington, Ky – August 9, 2024 – Hunter ponies and riders returned to the Rolex Stadium for day four of competition at the 2024 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Marshall and Sterling, where they vied for the championship title during the Medium Green Pony Hunters. After a successful over fences performance and combined with top scores in the model and under saddle, Susannah Morrell and Heartfirst returned to the center of the ring to receive the Medium Green Pony Hunter National Championship and lead the lap of honor.
Seventeen-year-old Morrell of Lakeland, FL, and Heartfirst, a 2017 Welsh Pony Cross mare owned by Bibby Farmer Hill and Donald Stewart, just began competing together this year, but have quickly developed a strong partnership. After earning two high scores in the model and under saddle classes Thursday morning, the talented duo laid down a beautiful round over fences. The judges awarded the pair a score of 510.46 for a total score of 1017.70, helping them secure the championship title out of a competitive group of 88-athletes.
Susannah Morrell and Heartfirst
Heartfelt is nicknamed Ms. Perfect, and Morrell expressed that she always lives up to that saying, “She’s always willing to do whatever you ask her to do. She always wants to help and she always looks good doing it. Mainly with her you just have to stay straight. If you stay straight, she’ll do anything!”
Morrell has been traveling to Pony Finals for six years and has loved every trip saying, “My favorite part is the over fences phase, and I love showing the Rolex Stadium!”
Dakota Zehler and Lost Boy earned the top prize in the over fences phase on Friday, earning a score of 519.46. Combined with their model and under saddle scores they earned a total score of 1009.32, which helped them secure the Medium Green Pony Hunter Reserve National Championship to close out the division in the Rolex Stadium.
Dakota Zehler and Lost Boy
The 2024 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Marshall and Sterling, will continue Saturday at 7 am in the Rolex Stadium with the Regular Large Pony Hunter Over Fences. The day will conclude in the Claiborne Ring with the highly anticipated Jumper Individual Final. The conclusion of the 2024 USEF Pony Finals will take place Sunday at 7 am with the USEF Pony Medal Final.