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.