Emily Elek finds success with her trio of ponies.

Emily Elek believes that if her ponies perform well at the Ledges Winter Show Series, then they’re set for the rest of the year.

“Ledges is a good proving ground,” said Elek, whose current ponies seem to be learning the ropes quickly, as they brought home an armful of ribbons from the Ledges Winter Classic in Roscoe, Ill., Jan. 29-Feb. 1.

Blueberry Hill, an 8-year-old Welsh cross, was champion green pony hunter and reserve in the small pony division with Ellie Foelker in the irons. “She has an incredible canter and jump,” said Elek. “I think she’s phenomenal.”

Foelker also rode Patchwork Cosmos to the green pony hunter reserve championship. “He came on a trailer with no roof all the way from Kansas,” said Elek with a laugh. “That’s an experience that makes or breaks a pony. He’s the sweetest, easiest, best-brained pony I’ve had in a long time. The kids can make a mistake and he doesn’t get rattled, he just figures it out for next time.”

Emily Sheveland piloted Lightning McQueen to the small pony hunter championship for Elek. “My son named him,” Elek said, laughing. “He likes to re-name the ponies and dogs on a daily basis.”

The little chestnut gelding went to the U.S. Equestrian Federation Pony Finals in 2007 and 2008 and has qualified for 2009. “He needs a particular kid,” said Elek. “Once they figure out his buttons he’s a blast. He’s fun. He doesn’t look at the jumps, and he has an easy lead change. You kick, kick, kick all the way around.”

Elek has been riding for 24 years. “I was always begging to ride,” she said. “So for my seventh birthday I got seven riding lessons.”

At age 10 she began riding at Sutherland Farm with Linda Valetic and Randy Manuel. “I was very lucky growing up that I had the opportunity to ride lots of different ponies,” she said.

While attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she majored in zoology, she helped establish the school’s equestrian team and competed in the open equitation divisions and the Cacchione Cup. While Elek was still in school, her mother purchased 38 acres that would become Elek’s Stonewall Farm, in Ixonia, Wis.

“A lot of what I do involves low-budget kids,” said Elek. “My goal is to produce top quality ponies while allowing kids to have the same opportunities I had.”

Elek breeds between three and five mares a year. She has bred to her own Hillcrest Top Hat (Gayfields Vida Blue—Helicon Halo) and Red Drum’s Patriot (Mynd Nestorius—Asgard Brittania), who was the 2008 USEF Zone 6 medium green and medium pony champion.

“It’s fun to see the ones I’ve started, given their first rides and shows, go on to be successful,” said Elek, who has sold ponies at the American Hunter Pony Classic sale for the past five years. “We take eight to 14 ponies every year. We don’t horse show enough to qualify for indoors or Devon [Pa.], so qualifying for Pony Finals is a big deal for the kids.”

About 20 children and adults look to Elek for instruction. Only half of them show, and they ride in everything from crossrails to beginner adult classes. Some of her kids will move on to the pony divisions, but it’s OK with her if her students want to stay on the local circuit.

“I try to keep horse showing a positive and fun experience,” said Elek, who encourages the kids to cheer each other on. The parents often bring snacks and food and have potlucks at the shows. “It brings a fun, family feeling to the barn. I want to give these kids good memories.”

Orame Doubles Up

Jodi Vazquez piloted Orame, a 5-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, around the conformation and green working divisions with skill and precision to win two tricolors.

“He’s very straightforward and big strided,” said Vazquez, who owns Messenger Hill Farm in Libertyville, Ill., with her husband, Freddie. “I just sold him to go be a junior hunter.”

Vazquez has plenty of other horses in the wings, though, including Del Mar, a 2004 gelding who has been winning ribbons under Freddie’s wing. “He’s the most naturally talented horse,” she said. “He’s exciting.”

Tredington Suite, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, has been another of Vazquez’s main performers, and she is looking forward to showcasing him at indoors this year. A successful children’s hunter in his early career, Freddie has been campaigning him in the regular working division. The partnership also helped develop Pan Kai, who won the $25,000 USHJA Hunter Derby at Evergreen Farm (Wis.) last year.

Growing up in Illinois, Jodi got her start in horses at the age of 6. Six months after starting lessons, she had her first pony. She competed in a little bit of everything in her youth, catch riding hunters and jumpers in the Chicago area, where she trained with Jeff Katz.

After Katz passed away in 1999, Jodi began focusing entirely on horses and started her current business. They purchased Messenger Hill, a full-service boarding and training facility, about 18 months ago and work with ponies, as well as amateur-owner hunters and jumpers. “I enjoy every day,” said Jodi.

She and her husband share the workload at the farm, as they both ride and teach. Jodi tends to spend more time with the vet care and managing of their schedules, while Freddie organizes their employees and spends a lot of time looking at young horses and sale horses. They show about 25 weeks out of the year and take 20 to 25 horses to compete.

Most of her students live in the city, so while they may not be at the barn all day, she stresses the basics, good horse care, and the understanding of how much work goes into the horses.

“It’s a team effort,” said Jodi. “It’s a sport that is a lot of work, and I hope the kids get out what they want. The journey is something I enjoy, but it’s a hard path to keep horses happy and sound and the clients happy. “I love to be able to help others reach their dreams and goals,” she added. “I love the sport and the animal, so to help people on their path is my favorite thing.”