By Summer Grace for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Over at PBIEC’s designated Pony Island, 19 combinations in the Small Pony Hunter division made their way back to Ring 11 for the final classes of the division’s eighth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). With a first and two seconds for a total of 22 points, Sienna Rossano and Cumberland Acres LLC’s DF Crush earned the championship of the Small Pony Hunter division. 

“I got him last year, and my favorite thing about him is actually his forelock because it’s so fluffy,” said Rossano. “He is a great hunter pony because of his jump, but sometimes his lead change can be difficult because he will fall in a bit.”

The victory was the first champion finish for the pair.

“I am very proud of him today,” added Rossano. “He is usually a little bit of a speed demon but today he was slower and therefore he ended up being extremely rideable. I loved how he was today.”

Reserve champion honors went to Addison Litman who piloted her own Napa Valley to a total of 16 points with a first and second place.