Articles: Press Release
Ponies Pack the Park on Opening Day of the 2009 USEF Pony Finals
Pony rider Emma Cullen and green medium pony, Silver Slippers, at the 2009
USEF Pony Finals. Photo: USEF Archives/Randi Muster.
Contact:
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 5, 2009
Lexington, KY--It was a day many young riders have been waiting to come for
months, and it was well worth the wait judging by their excited faces. The
2009 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships
welcomed this years roster of ponies and their energetic riders who made the
grade and were invited to participate in what is certainly the show
calendars most anticipated event. To receive such an invitation is the
highlight of the season for any pony enthusiast, and the opportunity to show
at the Kentucky Horse Park is a prized reward in itself.
More than 500 ponies have come from across the country to take part in the
five-day series of challenging championship classes. By the end of the
event, there will be newly-crowned hunter and jumper winners. In the hunter
division, the USEF Green Hunter Pony and USEF Regular Pony Hunter titles
will be decided. These competitions encompass a three-phase competition
where the ponies are scored on conformation, way of moving under saddle and
jumping ability. The young riders are subject to scoring based on equitation
and skill at piloting their pony over fences. Winners are declared in all
three divisions: small, medium and large pony.
The jumpers then have their spotlight over a two-day period where both Team
and Individual honors are up for grabs. The ultimate pony prizethe Equisport
Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Championshipwill be determined on Sunday as the
pony hunters return to the ring for last round. The top 25 riders qualifying
after the morning round will face-off in an exciting last chance at claiming
their victory.
As one of the biggest and most popular USEF championships, Pony Finals
consistently draws some of the best ponies in the country, said Marion
Maybank, USEFs Director of Hunter Disciplines. The show itself is a
crowning moment for all the young riders who qualified. In addition to
competing in a national championship, the kids can enjoy themselves in an
atmosphere that is unlike most shows by offering fun activities for them to
enjoy outside of the show ring.
Wednesday also saw the Welcome Dinner that had to be moved from its original
Tuesday evening timeslot. Severe storms ravaged the area prior to the
planned event and made for quite a mess to be cleaned up. But, there was no
major damage to the facilities and the dinner went off with the hundreds of
riders, parents and coaches who turned out for the annual celebration. Also
on the schedule was the annual pony auction that took place in the parks
covered arena produced by American Hunter Pony Classic in conjunction with
Professional Auction Services, Inc. This is always a great opportunity for
those with a pony for sale to connect with potential owners.
For more information about the USEF Pony Finals, please contact Marion
Maybank, USEFs Director of Hunter Disciplines at (859) 225-2033 or
mmaybank@usef.org.
To learn more about the USEF Pony Finals, visit
www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/pony_finals_2009.aspx.
Brian Sosby
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.
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