2022 USEF Pony Finals, Presented by Honor Hill Farms, Makes a Thrilling Return to The Kentucky Horse Park
Young riders were eager to enter the famed Rolex Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park Tuesday morning for the 2022 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms. The Bluegrass State welcomed bows and braids back for another year of promising young talent to showcase their dedication to the sport through three elements of hunter competition. Day one of competition kicked off with the Small Green Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle, and Regular Large Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle. At the conclusion of the Regular Large Pony Division, it was Payton Flanders and Best Blonde to top the pack of 153 ponies in the under saddle while Jole Kosloske and Chic In Time took the blue ribbon in the model. The Small Green Pony Hunters rounded out the competition day with Vivian Golden and Preston besting the field of 43 ponies to win the model, and Finley Baras and Spring Fling winning the under saddle.
Flanders and Best Blonde owned the Rolex Arena, striking the judges with their accomplished partnership. Rachel Agee’s 9-year-old Warmblood gelding demonstrated textbook movement and a pleasant expression, carrying Flanders to an overall score of 276.82 points, winning the section by approximately four full points. The duo averaged an incredibly high score of 92 from each judge. The pair is familiar with having a blue on the bridle, most recently claiming the championship in the Regular Large Pony Hunter Division at the Manchester Summer Festival [Manchester, VT]. Claiming the red ribbon in the under saddle was Emi Richard aboard Cacique scoring 272.54 points. JJ Torano piloted Monogram to a close third place with an overall score of 271.42 points.
Sharing the Regular Large Pony Hunter spotlight Tuesday morning was Kosloske and her very own 15-year-old German Riding Pony, Chic In Time. The duo was nothing short of impressive, showcasing exquisite turnout and impressing the judges in the model. Chic In Time stood confidently in the stadium, earning the pair an overall model score of 267.17 points to top the leaderboard amongst the large crowd of seasoned pony hunter competitors. Following closely behind was Tessa Carlino and Madagascar with a score of 266.91 points to secure the red ribbon, while Brixton and Vivian Golden rounded out the podium with 266.76 points, currently leading the division going into day two.
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