Ponies will be the stars at two Langer Equestrian Group (LEG) shows this fall. The Woodside Labor Day Classic (August 29-September 1) features both the Northern California Pony Hunter Final and the Woodside Pony Equitation Championship, in addition to a full selection of pony hunter and equitation classes. Shaw’s Saddlery sponsors the Woodside Pony Equitation Championship and offers great prizes to top finishers. The winner will receive a gift certificate toward a new saddle, along with embroidered dress sheets for the top three, and a special prize for the winning trainer.

The winner of the Northern California Pony Hunter Final will receive a free entry to the prestigious West Coast Pony Finals held during the National Preview (November 5-9) at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA. The West Coast Pony Finals attracts top ponies and riders from throughout California and neighboring states, and awards championships to both pony hunters and pony jumpers.

The West Coast Pony Finals Hunter Championship features two rounds of competition. The top small, medium, and large ponies each receive championship awards, and then the top scoring pony from all three sections is named the grand champion and receives a special perpetual trophy. In addition, ponies receive bonus points toward USEF Zone 10 hunter awards.

Pony jumpers compete for their own championship as well, and a new perpetual trophy will be presented to this year’s champion. Pony Jumpers will also receive USEF Zone 10 Jumper bonus points.

New this year is the Emerson Burr Pony Horsemanship Awards program, open to any pony rider competing in the West Coast Pony Finals. Pony riders will participate in a written test and there will be four age categories: eight and under, nine-eleven, 12-14, and 15 and over. The highest scoring participants in each age group will then take a hands-on test. The winner of each age category will receive a $100 award to use toward education or horse related expenses.

For those riders qualified for the Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association’s Pony Medal Finals, that competition is also held at the National Preview, making it the show to go to if you are a pony rider.

For more information on the Northern California Pony Final and the Woodside Pony Equitation Championship, visit http://leghorseshows.com/woodside_show_details.php?show_id=90.

For more information on the West Coast Pony Finals, visit http://leghorseshows.com/laec_show_details.php?show_id=88.

For information on the LAHJA Pony Medal, visit www.lahja.org/iframes/pointlapm.htm.

For more information on the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Award, visit www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsDisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=2798.

Langer Equestrian Group (LEG) is pleased to offer special awards and programs just for pony riders. Recognizing that pony riders are often the youngest of the horse show competitors, LEG seeks to encourage them to develop as riders and to enjoy the hunter/jumper sport.