Devon Pony Hunt Teams 2010

After a long day of showing at the Devon Horse Show, pony riders that competed in the pony hunters got to participate in the Hunt Teams. They got to dress up in costumes, pick a song, and grab their friends.
In this fun class, riders must pick a theme and must follow each other around a course until the very last jump where they have to jump the jump together. Whatever team does this the best, gets to lead the victory gallop with their music and their beautiful blue ribbon.
First to go in the ring was Team Safari. This team was made of Bergan Sanderford with Made for Me, Britney Jarman with Rico Suave, and Mary Katherine Hargreaves with Harmony. Their costumes were wild animals and there song was "The Mighty Jungle." They finished with the wonderful red ribbon.
Another great team was called Shreck. Shreck was made of Carly Hoft with Church Mouse, Carly Reinsel with James Blonde, and Jessica Kyzer with Tip Top. One girl dressed up as Shreck, one was Princess Fiona, and the other one was the donkey. They used a wonderful song from Shreck the movie and they finished 3rd place.
The 3rd team to enter the ring was the team "Bad Girls." Maddie Schaefer with Flashback, Isabel Ryan with Tee Time, and Morgan Ward with Silver Rain participated in this team. They picked great music and costumes and finished in 4th place.
Second to last went "Trainers Worst Nightmare." This team was made of Kirklen Petersen, Lilli Hymowitz, and Maddy Darst. They rode to the song "Bad to the Bone," and dressed up in amazing costumes. This adorable team finished 1st.
Last but not least were "The Things" made up of Mackenzie Graves with Rosmel's Bit O' Blue, Jordan Coyle with Pashmina, and Sabrina Slagowitz with Cardiff Mardi Gras. They dressed up as Thing 1, Thing 2, and Thing 3 from Dr. Seauss's movie, "The Cat in the Hat." This team's music was great, but to the third jump, they had a little problem. Mackenzie's Rosmel's Bit O' Blue was tired after a long day of showing and didn't really feel like lifting his feet off the ground. Mackenzie, unexpecting it slid off and the team had to walk out but everyone, including Mackenzie, had a smile on their face.

The Big Night!

I showed Bluey and Ringo in a very memorable class. It was the Huntland Farm Pony Derby. I have been waiting for this class for a very long time!
This class was special because it was at night time and it took place in the biggest ring at the WEF show grounds. This ring is called the International Ring. When you first enter the ring, you walk under the a very large bridge. This is the same entrance the Grand Prix riders walk through each week to do the big classes. Finally, it was our turn to walk under the bridge.
The course was very fun and long. You cantered straight to the first jump off the right lead. This jump was black with green brush in front of it. Then, you stayed out and turned left to your second jump. This jump was probably the spookiest in the whole entire course. It had standards shaped like barn doors and for a decoration, it had hay bails in front of it which the ponies had to jump over. Right after the hay bail jump, you had to look to your next jump. You had to jump the second jump and the third jump like a bending line making sure you looked fast! Before you knew it right after you turned the corner when you were finishing jumping the third jump, you had to turn the corner to the next jump. It was right by the in-gate and right after you jumped that jump, you had to guide your pony to another jump. The fourth jump to the fifth jump was a bending line. If you didn't look at your next jump over the fifth jump, then you would miss the sixth jump. This jump was on the end of the ring came up super fast. You had to turn your pony over the sixth jump so he could see the seventh jump. The seventh jump was right in-between the in and out so it was hard for the ponies to see. You had to turn your pony over this jump so you made the course handy. The next to jumps was an in and out. When you were jumping over the out, You had to look to your final jump. It was a single oxer far away and toward the in gate.
Riding the course, hearing the scores and watching my friends ride their ponies was amazing. At the end of the small pony derby, we were asked to return for our awards. We headed in reverse order from 12th place to 1st. My pony Ringo was awarded 10th and Bluey was 3rd. After the ribbons were presented we got to canter around the ring for the victory gallup. Feeling the wind on my face and hearing the crowd cheer, made this a night to remember!

photo courtesy: Mancini photos

ESP Spring Horseshow Hosts $2,500 Huntland Derby Style Pony Classic

Wellington, FL - April 8th -
On April 10th, 2010, the ESP Spring Horseshow will host the Huntland Derby Style Pony Classic. This special opportunity is for kids who show in the regular pony divisions. This class will take place in the International Ring at 7:00pm. Riders will compete in a first round during the regular pony divisions. The top 20 will return for the Derby style second round. The fee $75.00 to enter this class. Exhibitors, spectators, and trainers will get to see some of the best ponies and pony riders on Saturday night under the lights.>

Bareback Day

Today I showed up at my lesson, like any other ordinary lesson. Walked to the ring with riding in a saddle. After a few minutes, my trainer, Tim said I had to have my lesson bare back. I even had to jump and I thought I was going to fall off! Ringo has such a comfy back so it was easier than I thought.

The reason for my bareback riding, not just fun and games. I had to make my position better and my leg tighter. He is trying to work with me to keep my knee against the saddle.

Maybe he was thinking about the big derby class this weekend! Well, the good thing is, my position is now better. The photo above is a picture of one of the best junior riders, Maggie Gampfer. You just never know when your bareback skills will come in handy. Even if you are wearing a dress!

Meet Kelly Arani, A WEF Champion

I had the opportunity to meet with Kelly Arani last week. She was just champion and reserve on her rides Ocean Front and Stars Go Blue during week 10 of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Kelly, age 11, goes to the Milton Academy in Dover, MA. Arani is more than just a champion ride she also is one of the nicest girls because she always has a smile on her face.

She currently shows Ocean Front, Stars Go Blue, and she owns Made for Me and Simply Magical. Kelly explains her biggest equestrian accomplishment was getting an 92 at Capital Challenge on the small pony hunter, Far From Home.

Arani explains she would like to ride like Sandy Ferrell because she is her biggest equestrian idol and she loves how she rides so confidently. Sandy is Kelly's trainer and also trains her mother Stacy on her champion hunter, Bolero.

The Arani family shows as the horse farm, Marigot Bay with the help of Kelly's aunt, Stacy's sister, Leslie Emerson. Kelly also has two sisters named Madison and Reid. "Maddy" is 9 years old and Reid is 6. Kelly's two sisters ride and show with Leslie.

Maddy Arani, shows Rainbeau Reflection, a large chesnut pony. She has also shown Simply Magical and has done very well. Like I said, she trains with Leslie Emerson at Marigot Bay Farm.
Reid Arani, shows First Kid in the Walk-Trot with Leslie Emerson. Just like Maddy, she rides with Leslie Emerson. Reid is the youngest in the Arani family at age six. She loves to ride her pony and maybe sometimes Maddy's as well.

The entire family has so much fun together at the horse shows. Some of the highlights have been the golf cart parade at Pony Finals and the Lip Sync for Danny and Ron's Rescue. They really are amazing, wonderful and talented people!