Beerbaum Bests All in Large Pony Hunter Division at WEF 11

Brianne Beerbaum and Rashinga. Photo by SportFot

Edited Press Release

The Large Pony Hunter division kicked off competition in Ring 12 on Pony Island with 18 young riders taking to the division’s final three over-fences classes. Brianne Beerbaum took the champion title of the division with consistent top performances aboard Heritage Farm, Inc.’s Rashinga. The pair rode to a first-place ribbon in three out of the four over fences classes and secured the fifth-place ribbon in the division’s under-saddle class for a total of 31 points.

“Rashinga is actually normally a jumper pony when we are over in Germany most of the year,” stated the 12-year-old, who is the daughter of grand prix riders Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Markus Beerbaum. “She only competes as a hunter when we are here at WEF. This is our second year in the Large Pony Hunter division together.”

Beerbaum stated that the 10-year-old German pony is uniquely well-suited to both the hunter and jumper disciplines and believes the diversification is beneficial.

“In Germany, the jumpers are sometimes scored so that helps a bit, but it is a totally different mindset over there,” she described. “I am grateful she switches between both the disciplines well. She is not the fastest jumper but she is a good jumper with a fair amount of scope. I think she enjoys the variety.”

Ava Barnes produced 22 points aboard her own 13-year-old Deutsches Reitpony Brighton for the reserve champion honors. The pair produced rounds worthy of three seconds and a third place.