Lexington, KY – Despite an ominous black cloud and earth-shaking claps of thunder, three young ladies had a very happy ending to their day. In the 2006 Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Green Hunter Pony Championship, 14-year-old Kaitlin Campbell cantered away with the Large Green Pony Championship title with a total score of 957; 14-year-old Paige Bellissimo with the Medium Green Pony Championship title with a total score of 983; and 12-year-old Reed Kessler with the Small Pony Green championship title with a total score of 983. The Overall Green Pony Championship was awarded to Kessler, with Bellissimo taking reserve champion overall.

Bellissimo, of Wellington, FL, rode Godiva, a 13.1-hand, five-year-old Welsh Pony cross gelding, owned by Far Niente Equine, LLC. Campbell, of Upper Black Eddy, PA, rode Dawned On Me, a 14.2-hand, six-year-old Welsh Pony/Thoroughbred gelding, owned by Patty Miller. Kessler, of Bedford Corners, NY, rode Claim To Fame, a 12.1-hand, six-year-old Welsh Pony mare, owned by Betsy Borns.

Kessler also won the over fences class for the first time in her four-year Pony Finals career. She has won the model class and the under saddle class but never the over fences class or a championship. This was an especially sweet win for Kessler who was offered Claim To Fame as a mount at the last minute when she found herself without a pony for this year’s championship. It was also a bit of sweet irony when she discovered that her mount, who she had never ridden before, was the daughter of her old pony that she just sold.

“Yesterday we went in the ring not knowing she was Mardi’s [Cardiff Mardi Gras] baby,” said Kessler. “We went in the model great, and then I started to ride her for the under saddle. I thought, ‘She feels really familiar.’ She feels just like Mardi, and so we asked who her father was and they said this horse named Mardi Gras. How better to win it than on your almost granddaughter. Mardi is my baby and now we know he’s got a baby.”

This was Kessler’s fourth, and probably final, year as she says she’ll be moving on to horses next year. She has nothing but grins and praise for her little grey partner who she calls Denim. She says has been trail ridden by a four-year-old.

“She has a beautiful stride. She doesn’t look at anything, we even jumped a towel in the schooling area,” said Kessler. “She is unreal; she’s unlike any green pony. She’s wise beyond her years.”

Just like her mount, Kessler is wise beyond her years. She was adamant about thanking her trainer Christina Schlusemeyer and Rosey Reed. “I am really proud to have Christina for a trainer. They both made it perfect for me. A special thanks to them. They are like the managers behind the scenes.”
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