By Izzy Feinstein
With USEF Pony Finals quickly approaching, young riders and their ponies have begun preparing to travel to The Kentucky Horse Park to show in one of the most most prestigious competitions in the country. For some riders, it is their mount’s first time attending Pony Finals. Others compete on seasoned veterans who have competed and even won their division at the event in previous years. Here is a list of some of the past winning ponies that will return to the Walnut Ring this year:
- Bit Of Laughter, the winner of the 2011 Small Green Division with rider Lindsay Levine, 2015 Small Regular Division, and 2015 Grand Champion Hunter Pony with rider Augusta Iwasaki
- Blueberry Hill, winner of the 2014 Small Regular Division and 2014 Grand Champion Hunter Pony with rider Natalie Jayne
- Canterbrook Prince Charming, winner of the 2013 Small Regular Division with rider Hana Bieling
- Everyday Enzo, winner of the 2009 Small Regular Division with rider Carly Reinsel
- Finders-Keepers, winner of the 2014 Medium Regular Division with rider Taylor St Jacques
- Glynhafan Red Kestral, winner of the 2015 Large Regular Division with rider Taylor St Jacques
- Hudson, winner of the 2014 Large Regular Division with rider Devin Seek
- Kingston, winner of the 2015 Large Green Division and 2015 Overall Grand Green Hunter Pony with rider Augusta Iwasaki
- Leon, winner of the 2014 Medium Green Division with rider Madeline Schaefer
- Minted, winner of the 2016 Large Green Division with rider with rider Madeline Schaefer
- Northwind Marin, winner of the 2013 Large Green Division with rider Daisy Farish
- Not So Secret, winner of the 2016 Medium Green Division with rider Kyla Sullivan
- Sassafras Creek, winner of the 2013 Medium Regular Division and 2013 Grand Champion Hunter Pony with rider Daisy Farish
- Show Me Love, winner of the 2013 Medium Green Division with rider Emma Kurtz
- Smitten, winner of the 2014 Small Green Division and 2014 Overall Grand Green Hunter Pony with rider Sophia Calamari
- So Enchanted, winner of the 2016 Small Green Division and 2016 Overall Grand Green Hunter Pony with rider Caroline Passarelli
- Truly Yours, winner of the 2015 Medium Green Division with rider Emma Kurtz
- Valentino, winner of the 2012 Large Green Division and 2012 Overall Grand Green Hunter Pony with rider Aleece Jarman
- Westside, winner of the 2013 Large Regular Division with rider Emma Kurtz
- Woodlands Polar Bear, winner of the 2015 Small Green Division with rider Devin Seek
- Woodlands Stevie Ray, winner of the 2015 Medium Regular Division with rider Alexa Aureliano and 2016 Medium Regular Division with rider Natalie Jayne
