Pony Club by the numbers at NAJYRC:
43 NAJYRC participants have a Pony Club connection
7 Eventing Young Riders with a Pony Club connection were on the medal podium for the CICY2*
1 Current Pony Club member shared Team Gold in the CICY2*
5 Eventing Junior Riders with a Pony Club connection were on the medal podium for the CH-J*
1 Current Pony Club member shared Team Silver in the Eventing CH-J*
2 Current Pony Club members finished in the top 4 in Eventing CICY2* & CH-J*
4 Dressage Young Riders with a Pony Club connection were on the medal podium for the CH-YR
1 Current Pony Club member swept the Dressage Young Rider Team & Individual Gold Medals
3 Dressage Junior Riders with a Pony Club connection were on the medal podium for the CH-J
2 Current Pony Club members shared Team Bronze in the Dressage CH-J
Competing in her third Championships, Madeline Backus member of Hunter Hills Pony Club took home Team Gold in the CICY2* with P.S. Arianna for Area V/IX combined team; her fellow teammates (Clara Cargile and Alyssa Phillips) also have a background in Pony Club.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for being a part of my journey and helping me achieve my goals. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of the friends, family, coaches, mentors, and sponsors who have cheered me on throughout the ups and downs this sport knows well. Being on the 2016 NAJYRC 2* gold medal team was an unforgettable experience, and it is always a special feeling when you reach your goals. My horse P.S. Arianna and I have grown up together, starting at Beginner Novice and completing our lower level Pony Club Certification. Last year, we completed our first Advanced and CIC3*, as well as achieved my A level Pony Club Certification. Pony Club gave me a great base of knowledge that has helped me be the best equestrian I can be, and I strongly believe that I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I have without it. Pony Club not only helped me with leadership, sportsmanship, and horsemanship skills, but it also taught me from a very early age what it was like to be a part of a team and always put the care of our horses first. The knowledge that I learned through the USPC helped me greatly as I continue on as an equestrian. Never give up on your dreams and keep working hard. It will pay off in the end, and is worth every moment.” Backus said about the experience.
For the Juniors it was current Pony Club member Mikensey Johansen that helped Area III win Team Silver in the CH-J*.
Nicholas Hansen in his last eligible year for the FEI Championships rode Ritter Benno to a clean sweep of the Dressage Young Rider medals, winning Team, Individual and Freestyle Gold. Claiming the top performances in the three FEI Young Rider Dressage tests, Hansen was awarded the USDF Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy.
Below is a list of the top competitors who are current and previous members of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. and share a connection with this largest equine youth organization in the world.
RIDER DISCIPLINE and MEDAL PONY CLUB and CERTIFICATION
Kayla Kadlubek* Dressage, Junior Team Bronze C-3, Difficult Run Pony Club
Allison Nemeth* Dressage, Junior Team Bronze C-1, Amwell Valley Hounds Pony Club
Nicholas Hansen* Dressage, Young Rider Team, Individual & Freestyle Golds A, Keystone Pony Club
Mallory Chambers Dressage, Young Rider Team Gold C-2, Spring Valley Hounds Pony Club
Codi Harrison Dressage, Young Rider Team Bronze D-2, Meadowlark Pony Club
Lexy Donaldson Dressage, Young Rider Team Bronze & Invidiual Bronze Great Lakes Region
Cara Fragomeni Dressage, Junior Team Silver Lead Hound Pony Club
Haley Rosenberg Eventing, Junior Individual Silver C-1, Honey Hollow Pony Club
MiKensey Johansen* Eventing, Junior Team Silver C-2, Midland Foxhounds Pony Club
Haley Curry Eventing, Junior Team Silver C-2, Saddle Up Pony Club
Parker Miller Eventing, Junior Team Silver Pinchona Pony Club
Zoe Crawford* Eventing, Young Rider Team & Individual 4th place H-B/C-2, Norfolk Hunt Pony Club
Clara Cargile Eventing, Young Rider Team Gold C-1, In Stride Pony Club
Madeline Backus* Eventing, Young Rider Team Gold A, Hunter Hill Pony Club
Alyssa Phillips Eventing, Young Rider Team Gold C-2, Trinity Hills II Pony Club
Delaney Vaden Eventing, Junior Team Bronze C-2, Northern Mines Pony Club
Josey Thompson Eventing, Young Rider Team Bronze C-2, Flint Hills Pony Club
Woods Baughman Eventing, Young Rider Team Bronze C+, Keeneland Pony Club
Margaret Ragan Eventing, Young Rider Team Bronze C-2, Covered Bridge Pony Club
Alexandra Baugh* Eventing, Junior Individual 4th place C-1, Keeneland Pony Club
* Current Pony Club members
When known, Pony Clubs and highest certifications attained have been listed. If you know of a Pony Club connection that is not listed here, or if we have inaccurate information, please let us know at [email protected].
About Pony Club - The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (Pony Club) was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. There are approximately 10,000 Pony Club members in over 600 clubs and riding centers throughout the country. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including several of our Olympic team members, business professionals, government leaders and career military officers, have roots in Pony Club. Traditional members range in age from as young as 4 through age 25. Pony Club also offers educational opportunities to a growing number of adults through Horsemasters membership.