US Pony Final kicks off with Green Hunters, Medium Hunter Model at Ky. Horse Park

The 2012 U.S. Pony Finals and the U.S. Hunter Pony Championships are underway with at the Kentucky Horse Park.
 

On Tuesday, the top ponies and riders from across the nation gathered for the Green Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle, as well as the Regular Medium Pony Hunter Model.
 

The US Pony Finals offer three phases of competition for utilizing scores in conformation, movement under saddle, and jumping ability. The riders are subject to scoring based on equitation and their skill upon navigating their mounts.
 

The 2012 US Pony Finals commenced at the Kentucky Horse Park with the Green Pony Hunters and the Medium Pony Hunter Model. Photo By: Ashley N. Williams.

Winners are declared in each division: small, small green, medium, medium green, large and large green pony hunters. Each year the points are calculated to declare the US Grand Hunter Pony Champion, as well as the USEF Regular Pony Hunter Champion.
 

The first event of the day, was the Small Green Pony Model. Lindsey Ayres of Knoxville, Tenn., and her own In A Dream earned the top call in the model, claiming the blue ribbon. Julia Zug, of Elkton, Md., and Lorimars Signature were awarded the second place ribbon. Rounding out the top three was Sophie Gochman and Secret Love, owned by David Gochman of New York, N.Y.
 

Next in the scheduled order was the Small Green Pony Hunter Under Saddle. Lili Hymowitz and Bit of Love won the first place ribbon. Mimi Gochman and Love Me Tender rode to the second place honors. Daisy Farish and Helicon Penny Lane were presented with the third place.
 

As the morning progressed, the Medium Green Ponies came to the ring to compete in the model and under saddle phases. The model victory was awarded to Madeline Schaefer of Westminster, Md., and Frosted. Taking home the second place ribbon was Lauren Curry and Prada. Clovermeade Not Just Any Bunny won the third place ribbon as rider Ali Trilschler guided her to the presentation.
 

Francesca Dildabanian and Real Steel rode to the top of the leaderboard in the under saddle. Parker Wright and Anisette took the second place award, while Catherine Droogmans of Palmetto, Ga., and Hermione were awarded the third place.
 

Lili Hymowitz rode to her second blue ribbon of the day aboard Enjoy the Laughter. The duo was awarded the first place in the Large Green Hunter Pony Model, as well as the second place in the under saddle. Aleece Jarman of Pace, Fla., and Valentino, were awarded the second place for the model, but took the first position in the under saddle.
 

The third place in the model was awarded to Katherine Weisenmiller of Lutz, FL, and Blind Date. It was Emma Kurtz aboard David Gochman’s For the Laughter who took the third place honors in the under saddle phase.
 

Jarman who also went 1-2 in the under saddle and model.
 

The last event of the day was the Medium Pony Hunter Model. Alexandra Pielet and Let’s Play Two took the final blue ribbon of the day. Lindsey Ayres of Knoxville, Tenn., and Woodlands Pick Pocket earned the second place honors. Charlotte Curry and Bikini Beach took home the third place award.
 

The 2012 U.S. Pony Finals and the U.S. Hunter Pony Championships continues Wednesday as the Green Pony Hunters complete their over fences. The Medium Pony Hunters will return in the afternoon to complete their under saddle sections. Wednesday night, the top pony jumpers will compete in the Alltech Arena in the first phase, the individual phase, of the National Pony Jumper Championships.
 

For more information on the 2012 USEF Pony Finals please visit www.usef.org.