Morgan Moog Tops Competition to Win the 2008 USEF Pony Medal
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2008
By Stacey Meier
Lexington, KY- Though it was Morgan Moog's first time competing at the
2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Medal, she and her
horse Goodnight Moon topped the efforts of 184 other competitors to win
the championship title.
In the USEF Pony Medal Final, the riders compete in small, medium and
large divisions based on pony size and are judged on their equitation
and ability to ride the course correctly. From there, the top riders are
asked to come back for another course over fences. Riders may then be
called back for a work off or additional test to determine the winner.
The top 20 riders were called back to compete for the Medal Final title,
including two small, twelve medium and six large ponies. From there, the
judges called back four riders for a work back-Lillie Keenan and High
Cotton; Hayley Anderson and Ferdinand; Izabelle Quadracci and Morgan
Moog and Goodnight Moon.
The work back was especially challenging, considering that the riders
have very little time to memorize the call back test. The test included
hand galloping to the first fence, cantering to the second fence,
trotting the next fence and then the riders were asked to do three
changes of leads on the longside of the indoor arena then halt and
return to the line at a posting trot.
Since the test was so challenging, the judges called back the four
riders, only this time the riders were asked to remove their stirrups.
Again, the riders were put through the paces of walk, trot and canter on
the flat only without the use of stirrups.
With anxious moments at the in gate, the placings were announced,
awarding the Champion title to Moog and Goodnight Moon with Reserve
Champion going to Keenan, 11, of New York, NY, and her mount High
Cotton. High Cotton is a 14-year-old grey Welsh Cross gelding owned by
Chansonette Farm.
Moog, 12, and her ten-year-old Welsh Cross gelding Goodnight Moon had
competed at Pony Finals last year but the Pony Medal Final was new to
them. After their first time in the ring, Moog said she felt really
confident and was happy with her ride. She was also confident in getting
called back as part of the top 20.
"I was really happy and I didn't know that I would get that far," said
Moog.
The work off was the toughest portion for Moog. She was the fourth rider
to go which gave her an opportunity to watch the other riders perform
the test.
"I was really, really nervous," said Moog. "I've never done a test
before in real life."
Though Moog has only had Goodnight Moon for a year and this was their
first Medals test, they performed their best which resulted in earning
the championship title.
"We love each other and everything and he is really sweet to me," Moog
said.
Moog plans to continue to work hard and show the remainder of the year.
ENDS
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation(r) is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
