Takacs and Galianna Take the Lead in the Medium Green Hunter Pony Championship Presented by Sallee Horse Vans on Day Three of 2018 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm
Thirteen-year-old Samantha Takacs (Oldwick, N.J.) and Galianna, Kim Wolf’s nine-year-old German Riding Pony mare, lead the Medium Green Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans following the first two phases at the 2018 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm (Pony Finals). They won the Under Saddle phase with a score of 269.00 and finished third in the Model phase with a score of 259.02.
This is Tackas’s fourth year at Pony Finals and her and “Adele” are gaining experience together. “[Galianna] was really good,” said Takacs. “She hasn’t done many Models but she was really good. [In the Under Saddle phase,] she just went right in there and was perfect. She is really forward and comfortable at the canter.”
Setting their sights on the Over Fences phase tomorrow, Friday, August 10, Takacs said, “I’m really excited. She is so good [at jumping].”
Leaderboard:
- Samantha Takacs and Galianna
- Sydney Raidy and Missed Point
- Grace Debney and Banksy
Rose and Cacique Sit on Top in the Large Green Hunter Pony Championship presented by Triple Crown Feed at the 2018 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm
Sixteen-year-old Josephine Rose (Springboro, Ohio) and Cacique, her eight-year-old Welsh Pony cross gelding, sit atop the leaderboard in the Large Green Hunter Pony Championship presented by Triple Crown Feed at the 2018 Pony Finals.
In her fifth pony finals, the combination were fourth in the Model phase with a score of 255.59 and second in the Under Saddle phase with a score 270.16. Competing together for the last two or three years, Rose and “Zeke” have developed a solid relationship.
“Every time I ride him, he tries the hardest he can for me and he is such a good guy,” said Rose. “Every time we go out there, he puts everything in he can for me and I can’t complain about that at all. In the Model, we ended up fourth. He just stood there like a pro. I think he has won almost every under saddle class he has ever done. He is a really good guy.”
When asked about the Over Fences phase to come tomorrow, Friday, August 10, Rose said, “I am really looking forward to that. He can be a little green sometimes, but we are going to go in there and just give everything we can.”
Leaderboard:
- Josephine Rose and Cacique
- Joziemae Syroka and Spot On
- Isabella Griffin and Heaven’s Gift
Tosh and Bit of Love Claim National Championship in the Small Regular Hunter Pony Championship presented by Noelle Wolf Stables, LLC at 2018 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm
Maddie Tosh (Milton, Ga.) and Betsee Parker’s 12-year-old Welsh Pony cross gelding, Bit of Love, claimed the national title today in the Small Regular Hunter Pony Championship presented by Noelle Wolf Stables, LLC at the 2018 Pony Finals.
Sitting in sixth place after the Model and Under Saddle phases with a composite score of 510.60, the combination performed at their best to win the Over Fences phase with a score 270.00. Their Over Fences score combined with their Model score of 245.04, and their Under Saddle score of 265.50, pulled their total score to 1050.54 and the win.
“It feels amazing, it’s super special,” commented Tosh on her win. “His barn name is Chester and I’m very grateful to be able to ride him for [Betsee]. I think this is my second year with him. He’s really sweet to people, he doesn’t like other horses too much, but he’s really, really sweet to people. I can definitely trust him; I know he is on his game. Coming to the last line, I got a little nervous, but I was nice on my distance and was very excited. It was awesome. It was a lot of fun and he was good and I knew he was trying to win!”
Tosh and “Chester’s” Over Fences phase was the first trip over a course with scores in the 90’s at Pony Finals so far this year. Her father, Hunt Tosh, who serves as her trainer, told her to “have fun and do what you know how to do,” as Tosh entered the ring.
Results:
1. Maddie Tosh and Bit of Love
2. Helen Ryan and Smitten
3. Carolyn Colter and So Enchanted
Nine Jump Clear in Individual Phase I of 2018 USEF Pony Jumper National Championships
The USEF Pony Jumper National Championships got underway Thursday evening in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The riders and their ponies competed in the Welcome Class, which served as Phase I of the Individual Championship. In the class, competitors with clean rounds or equal faults remain equal. The majority of the combinations had successful rounds, with nine of the 25 combinations, one third of the class, jumping clear over Jasen Shelley’s solid course, setting the stage for an exciting championship on Saturday.
The following pony jumper combinations jumped clear in Phase I, in chronological order:
Tabitha Okitsu (South Pasadena, Calif.) and Spoot De La Jourlais, her 12-year-old Connemara/Arabian mare
Zacko Hardin (New Cuyama, Calif.) and The Girl Next Door, Patty Arnett’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare
Madison Kondracki (New Smyrna, Fla.) and Magic Beans, her eight-year-old mare
Ela Acevedo (LaFayette, La.) and Mr. Worldwide, her 12-year-old Quarter Horse gelding
Sydney Flashman (Pasadena, Calif.) and Focalize Dew Drop, Finley Hamilton’s seven-year-old Belgian Sport Pony mare
Molly Koczon (Ringwood, N.J.) and Angel, Ponies Unlimited LLC’s 14-year-old Paint mare
Elizabeth Cram (Aiken, S.C.) and Venice, Wendy Arndt’s 10-year-old Welsh Pony cross mare
Devon Owen (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) and EZ to Spot, Ponies Unlimited, LLC’s 17-year-old Pony of the Americas gelding
Megan de Michele (Aldie, Va.) and Gracie Lou, Victoria Hutcheon-de Michele’s 17-year-old Half-Arabian mare
Competition continues on Friday at 4:30 p.m. EST with the Team Championship, which will also serve as Phase II of the Individual Championship.
Live coverage of the 2018 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm will continue on the USEF Network beginning at 7:00 a.m. EST on Friday.
Find out more information about the 2018 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm at www.ponyfinals.org.
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