PrintThursday, Aug. 12 Lexington, Ky.
Maddie Darst and Elation finished out the day at USEF Pony Finals the way they started it: at the head of the small pony division.
Betsee Parker’s gray clinched victory with a winning over fences trip when the pressure was on. Last to go, Darst kept her cool to win the small pony championship over Lands End Eros, ridden by Pony Finals first-timer Isabel Ryan.
“I was really, really nervous!” said Darst, 13. “I’m not sure why—I never really get nervous.”
Darst paired up with Elation at Capital Challenge (Md.) last year, where they claimed the small pony title their first time together. According to the Lebanon, Ohio, rider, the pony is her favorite one to ride, which says a lot considering her full catch-riding schedule (she has one in every division at Pony Finals).
“She’s not too lazy, but she’s not fast either,” said Darst of Elation. “I’ve been very successful with her, and she’s very fun to ride. By now I’m used to her.”
According to Darst, Elation's standout quality is her beauty, and the judges agreed. The mare claimed the model with an average mark of 89, more than 4 points higher than the averages of the two ponies tied for second: P. Wynn Norman's Yet Another Karacter and Hailey Livingston's Sir Dragon.
Darst has stood centerstage at Pony Finals before. Last year she claimed two titles, including the grand green championship aboard Brownland’s Mr. Mack.
Elation’s title marked the second tricolor for Parker of the competition. Her Seven Steps claimed the large green pony and grand green pony titles yesterday with Victoria Colvin up. While that pony has scarcely set foot in the show ring—incredibly Pony Finals marked just the fifth show of his career—Parker can’t help but be excited for his future.
“I think he brings a new standard to the larges,” she said. “He’s just spectacular.”
Seven Steps may have edged out Jordan Coyle’s Grand Jeté for the grand title, but that small pony captured plenty of hearts at the Kentucky Horse Park. The final pair to jump, last-minute catch rider Parker Wright and the strawberry roan entered the ring just as the skies let loose a monster deluge. Despite the rain, Wright clocked around the course and topped the over fences to clinch the small green pony and reserve green pony titles. Grand Jeté also earned a new saddle as the winner of the high-scoring green pony Pony Finals Auction graduate.
Like Wright, Lindsay Levine didn’ t have much time to get to know her green pony partner. She paired up with Robin Hill’s Snapshot, owned by Redfield Farm, just two shows before Pony Finals. But with help from Scott Stewart—and a few pointers from barnmate Colvin—Levine took second in the medium green pony over fences class on her way to the division title.
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