Lexington, Ky. – The first champion of the 2022 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms was crowned on Wednesday. The tri-color ribbon was awarded in the Large Regular Pony Hunter National Championship presented by Charles Ancona, while the Small Regular Pony Hunter National Championship competitors completed their Model and Under Saddle phases.
Aundrea Hillyard and Goldmark Win Large Regular Pony Hunter National Championship presented by Charles Ancona
(Shawn McMillen Photography)
Aundrea Hillyard and Goldmark claimed top honors in the Large Regular Pony Hunter National Championship presented by Charles Ancona with a final score of 1069.32. Hillyard (Marshall, Va.) and Take 3 LLC’s 2015 Dutch Warmblood gelding had a solid start to the competition on Tuesday with scores of 257.33 in the Model phase and 259.67 in the Under Saddle phase. The pair rocketed from ninth place overall to the champion title thanks to an excellent Over Fences phase that earned a score of 552.32.
“He was really jumping today. He got a lot of height on the jumps. He was listening super well; he was really in it today,” said Hillyard. “He is super fun. He has got a lot of stride and a lot of scope, so once you get how to manage it, it is the coolest feeling.”
Hillyard hopes to find success with her other mounts at Pony Finals as she will be riding a small green pony hunter, a medium green pony hunter, and a pony jumper.
Leaderboard:
1. Aundrea Hillyard and Goldmark
2. Vivian Golden and Brixton
3. Ava Barnes and Prestige
Best Presented Model Pony
Ava Hartman and Oliver, Jordan Ayres’s 2012 Warmblood gelding
Best Turned Out Pony
Emi Richard and Cacique, Carolex Stables, LLC’s 2010 Welsh Pony cross gelding, with groom Gabino Montiel Cruz
Lauren Padilla and Celebration Hold the Lead in the Small Regular Pony Hunter National Championship
(Shawn McMillen Photography)
Lauren Padilla and Celebration lead a field of 111 small pony hunters in the Small Regular Pony Hunter National Championship after the Model and Under Saddle phases. Padilla (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) and Alina McLean’s 2011 Welsh Pony gelding scored 252.06 in the Model phase and won the Under Saddle phase with a score of 273.64. They head into the final phase of the championship with a composite score of 525.70.
The small regular pony hunters will contest the Over Fences phase of the championship on Thursday, August 11.
Leaderboard:
1. Lauren Padilla and Celebration
2. Ella Tarumianz and So Enchanted
3. Ella Jane Howard and Sugarbrook Burnside
How to Watch
Live coverage of the 2022 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms will continue on the USEF Network beginning at 7:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 11, with the Model and Under Saddle classes for the Medium Green Pony Hunter National Championship.
View the complete schedule. *A weather delay adjusted Wednesday’s and Thursday’s schedules. Wednesday’s Small Green Over Fences phase will now take place Thursday after the Large Green Under Saddle phase.
Special Awards and Activities
Learn more about the many special awards and activities happening throughout the week, including the $500 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant.
Four individuals were selected for the Betsy Fishback Sportsmanship Award today, winning a copy of the book Big Wishes for Little Feat, by Cheryl Olsten. The following recipients are youth who have demonstrated the qualities of good sportsmanship while exhibiting at the USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms (listed in alphabetical order):
Bowery Fiocchi
Lilly Herzog
Nina Forman
Callie Winkelman
Find out more information about the USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms at www.ponyfinals.org.
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