Who is the top pony hunter rider in the country?

[hellerkm]

Is it safe to assume that the kid with the most USEF points is the best pony rider?

[neigh.neigh]

I don't think I would say that. The kid with the most points might have gone to the most horse shows or had the most opportunities to ride nice ponies.

[JinxyFish313]

Is there really such a thing?

[quicksilverponies]

I think it would depend on your definition of best. Do you mean the kid with the most wins or the most points? The one that has won the biggest shows? Or do you mean the one that can get on almost any nice pony and make it look good - even the difficult ones? There are a few at the top point-wise and win-wise. Probably even fewer that are exceptional riders. JMO.

[Lives2Jump]

There are quite a few "good" pony jocks

Victoria Colvin
Meredith Darst
Aleece Jarman
Elizabeth Butterworth
Taylor Ann Adams (seems to being doing just larges now)

to name a few...

[WorthTheWait95]

Is there really such a thing?

That's what I was thinking. I think 'the best' pony rider would be unique to each pony or at least type of pony. But then you see riders like Lillie Keenan who, while mounted on very nice animals, consistently produced winning rounds year after year on ponies who weren't always as easy as they looked.

I'm not sure I would go by USEF points but I would look at show breakdowns for some of the top riders listed. Maybe one went to fewer shows and was the consistent champion in very large classes. Maybe another, while ranked higher, went to a ton of shows with smaller classes.

It's kind of like saying who is the BEST grand prix rider? Everyone's definition will change and one pro may not be nearly as good on a particular horse as another. Sure one may be the top money winner for the year but the next year may only have one going prix horse and a bunch of young horses he's bringing up. Does that make him not as good as the year before?

[hellerkm]

I have no vested interest in the answer, I was just wondering who is doing the most and getting the most out of whoever she/he rides and shows, I wanted to Google some videos for my daughters to watch of some really really good pony jocks, I did not want to miss anyone by going strictly on the points standings.

[donkeyman]

Meehan Shirey - great pony rider

[findlymine]

haley waters!!!!!!!

[joiedevie99]

Google videos of Lillie Keenan. She had an amazing pony career. She rides horses now, although she is still eligible on ponies.

[neutral milk hotel]

Victoria Colvin, Samantha Schaefer of the past (not saying she's bad now, she's just grown up!)

[BAC]

Is it safe to assume that the kid with the most USEF points is the best pony rider?

I wouldn't assume that at all.

[JinxyFish313]

if you want videos to show your daughter, I'd go back 10-15 years when the pony riding was, IMO, all around much better. Look at PF results from then and google the riders. Although I suppose it'll be hard to find videos of those kids on youtube. The Phillips girls, Cody Parker, Ashley Baker, Maggie McAlary. Look for the riders who were great in ponies, and then had a great big eq career too. Those are your solid pony kids.

[findeight]

The best way to determine the "best" would be to look to see who trainers and owners select to catch ride their Ponies at major competitions like WEF, Devon, PF and Indoors.

Looking at just points does not often tell you who the rider was, only the most assuredly adult owner is listed, they do not list who rode it.

But who do the big names and big guns get to ride a Pony they own when they have the pick of the crop of Pony riders?

That answer is the more meaningful one in determining those Pony jocks that really are the best-and there is more then one.

[Alterrain]

I would google videos of Lillie Keenan, Reed Kessler, and Schaefer Raposa. All of those kids now ride horses but were IMO the "best" pony jocks of the last 10 years or so. Plus, they are "current" enough that your kids can see what successful junior riders they turned out to be, rather than being like "you didn't have to wear approved helmets? WEIRD!"

[cantercutie]

How about I save you some trouble?

Lillie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSvP4nmLfzA

Tori:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un6DOsZooOs

Daisy Farish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un6DOsZooOs

Alli T.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVAcvwplUNc&feature=related

Schaefer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZpILbcj8g&feature=PlayList&p=115411C93D765418&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=99

Maddy:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mindydarst#p/u/33/cypxFmGjck0

procrastination at its best.

[dab]

Check the results for 'best child rider on a pony' at the major shows -- Here's Devon 2009 http://www.devonhorseshow.net/exhibitors-riders-results-class.php?class=77 --

[hellerkm]

How about I save you some trouble?

Lillie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSvP4nmLfzA

Tori:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un6DOsZooOs

Daisy Farish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un6DOsZooOs

Alli T.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVAcvwplUNc&feature=related

Schaefer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZpILbcj8g&feature=PlayList&p=115411C93D765418&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=99

Maddy:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mindydarst#p/u/33/cypxFmGjck0

procrastination at its best.

THANK YOU!! and while your at it could you do my research paper?? just kidding thanks so much!

[MHM]

I would google videos of Lillie Keenan, Reed Kessler, and Schaefer Raposa.

I would also point out that Schaefer did well on a wide variety of ponies. She hasn't owned many animals she's shown. She has mostly shown ponies (and horses) for other people, and is successful on very nice ones, not-as-nice ones, and everything in between.

She is also a model of correct behavior on and off the animals, to the best of my knowledge. :)

[neutral milk hotel]

Samantha Schaefer of back in the day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6-sECmmrGU

Also Parker Wright is pretty good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEMO1Kq-j7M

[bascher]

Besides current people, I would also look back for people like Maggie McAlary, Alexandra Skiffington, Addison Phillips..

[Renn/aissance]

I would also point out that Schaefer did well on a wide variety of ponies. She hasn't owned many animals she's shown. She has mostly shown ponies (and horses) for other people, and is successful on very nice ones, not-as-nice ones, and everything in between.

She is also a model of correct behavior on and off the animals, to the best of my knowledge. :)

OP, Schaefer is a great one for your girls to watch. She has a lovely, soft, sympathetic ride that the ponies really appreciate, and they will be able to learn from her style as she is also a rising star in the equitation classes. And MHM is right, she is a class act. :yes:

[pfdream2011]

Well honestly the best pony riders might not be the famous ones. There are outstanding pony riders who just don't have the money and publicity to get the catchrides and/or buy their own. But a lot of good "famous" ones are

Lillie Keenan
Schaefer Raposa
Sam Schaefer
Maddy Darst
Tori Colvin
Alli Toffolon
Daisy Farish

Like I said before there are amazing riders who are just unknown because they never got the chance...

[hntrjmprpro45]

Who is the best pony rider? Depends on which mom you ask!

[LeeB10]

I think Zazou Hoffman was a very pretty pony rider. She rode lots of ponies for lots of different people.. probably some not so easy as well. She makes it look absolutely effortless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuWnM24u5eU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inLRFAV6rE8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWHfBjjtuFY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVP3gSvdAiY

[lute]

Meehan Shirey - great pony rider



x 2

[BAC]

Well honestly the best pony riders might not be the famous ones. There are outstanding pony riders who just don't have the money and publicity to get the catchrides and/or buy their own. But a lot of good "famous" ones are

Lillie Keenan
Schaefer Raposa
Sam Schaefer
Maddy Darst
Tori Colvin
Alli Toffolon
Daisy Farish

Like I said before there are amazing riders who are just unknown because they never got the chance...

I don't think Lillie Keenan has shown ponies for a couple of years now, there was nothing left for her to win. ;)

[SmplySweet1021]

Now I haven't been "in" the horse show world in a long time but wasn't Victoria Birdsall a good pony rider of the past years. She is now riding horses but I used to remember her from when I rode in Massachusetts. Then when I moved to Kentucky she was always on the lists at pony finals riding many ponies.

I couldn't find pony videos but here is her at 16 riding in the Fidelity Classics Grand Prix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0V-w7UGlUE&feature=related

[ponylover2008]

Don't forget about Aleece Jarman! She is typically riding the young, green, tough ponies and does awesome!!! She may not be recognized as much because she doesn't catch ride the been there, done that ponies that know their job! Of course, the riders on those ponies are amazing, as well. But, sometimes it is easy to overlook the great riders if they are on harder ponies.

[Alterrain]

I think the little Langmeier girl (Mackenzie? maybe) is the best riding pony kid on *any* showgrounds.

[hj0519]

I think the little Langmeier girl (Mackenzie? maybe) is the best riding pony kid on *any* showgrounds.

McKayla is her name, I think.

[HorseLuvr]

Victoria Colvin is an amazing natural talent! I have seen her win on ponies that other kids her age or older have never even placed on before. She has a natural ability to ride and the ponies/horses love her. She has an eye about as good as any professional and a natural feel for a horse/pony. It is amazing how good she can make a pony look!

[flopsaut]

Victoria Colvin is an amazing natural talent! I have seen her win on ponies that other kids her age or older have never even placed on before. She has a natural ability to ride and the ponies/horses love her. She has an eye about as good as any professional and a natural feel for a horse/pony. It is amazing how good she can make a pony look!

Well, she certainly has an interesting crest release, you can say that much.

http://www.chronofhorse.com/sites/default/files/Ever%20Luvin_1.jpg

[Sugarbrook]

I guess whatever gets the job done!!:)

[Sugarbrook]

Aleece Jarman's parents bought BLUETIFUL from me as a two year old and brought her along slowly. I know Aleece was the first to sit on her. She ended up #1 small green pony last year. So, yes, I think she is amazing.

[paris35]

Victoria Colvin is a beautiful rider and obviously gets the best out of any of the ponies she rides. That picture is an awkward moment in time.

[RND]

Well, she certainly has an interesting crest release, you can say that much.

http://www.chronofhorse.com/sites/default/files/Ever%20Luvin_1.jpg

For god's sake, that kid probably rides a hundred horses a month and wins on them all; are you really going to pick on her for a snapshot of one nanosecond in time on a pony that she rode to a top spot at pony finals? I'm embarrassed for you.

[MHM]

Please don't turn a nice thread into a snarkfest.

Please.

[MimsEppi]

Now I haven't been "in" the horse show world in a long time but wasn't Victoria Birdsall a good pony rider of the past years. She is now riding horses but I used to remember her from when I rode in Massachusetts. Then when I moved to Kentucky she was always on the lists at pony finals riding many ponies.

I couldn't find pony videos but here is her at 16 riding in the Fidelity Classics Grand Prix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0V-w7UGlUE&feature=related

I think you have my life! I grew up in MA, and lived in KY for 8 years until I moved to OH this year.

[pfdream2011]

yes aleece is amazing!

[quicksilverponies]

Another GREAT pony kid that has gone on to do well in the horses and is also doing Grand Prix classes now is Jennifer Waxman. She rode many lovely ponies to top ribbons and still does a wonderful job with her horses now.

[SmileItLooksGoodOnYou]

For that purpose-- Zazou Hoffman when she was riding ponies.

[PonyPeep]

Erin McClain... she's almost 19 now, so she's aging out to ride ponies, but she took a pony named Splash Attack to PF '10 and they were amazing.

Kasey Cadle bought Blue Note- highest seller at PF '10 auction. They're looking really good, too...

Erin-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vT-1Eq0qDs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
(she edits youtube videos and I couldn't find any PF raws...this was her qualifier trip)

Kasey-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ8t49Rm1bI

[MHM]

Kasey Cadle bought Blue Note- highest seller at PF '10 auction. They're looking really good, too...

Kasey-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ8t49Rm1bI

I know Blue Note! He looks great. :)

[STA]

If you are considering all who have shown in the ponies - Heather Caristo, Cody Baird, the girl who rode Dresden - there are lots more.

[PonyPenny]

Here on the west coast, I thought Tara Spencer was an awesome pony rider. She catch rode many ponies and did a great job. She also catch rode at Pony Finals and was always high in the placings. For some reason she is not showing anymore.