Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 13
Baroness Of Locheil has a tradition at USEF Pony Finals, and that’s winning. In 2019 she won the medium green title with Maddie Tosh and followed it up with the medium pony hunter title with Elle Boyd. So coming into this year, Vivian Golden hoped that she could continue that winning streak alive.
“There was a lot of pressure,” she said. “I ride better under pressure, so I just kind of channel it and use it to help me.”
Vivian Golden and Baroness Of Locheil. Kimberly Loushin Photos
The pair sat 33rd overnight heading into today’s over fences class for the medium pony division.
Following trainers Scott Stewart and Amanda Lyerly’s advice of “reset on the ends of the ring and slow down, stay deep in my turns, straightness,” they earned massive scores of 90, 88.93, and 94 to take the win over fences. That gave them a division total of 1036.68 to take the division championship ahead of JJ Torano and Paris Charm (1036.5). They also took the reserve grand pony hunter championship behind Aundrea Hillyard and Goldmark.
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JJ Torano and Paris Charm.
“She was very good,” said the 13-year-old from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. “She was super smooth, and she really felt good today because sometimes she can be a little cranky and stuff, but she was really good.”
Golden started riding Betsee Parker’s 9-year-old Welsh Pony cross (Mapleside Mr. Magic—Champlain’s Good As Gold) in January of this year. She described “Twinkle” as “very sweet, kind of sassy. She doesn’t like you to go in her stall.”
Vivian Golden and Baroness of Locheil.
Evan Coluccio, Aundrea Hillyard and Sam Schaefer celebrated Goldmark’s grand championship.
Alexa Elle Lignelli rode EMC Entourage to third.
Scott Stewart loved on Baroness Of Locheil.
Ava Crolick and Heart To Forget were fourth.
Lauren Padilla rode Smallwood Mystic to fifth.
Capri Truesdale and Island Grace were sixth.
Useful links and information:
- All of the Chronicle’s Pony Finals online coverage, with behind-the-scenes stories, lovely photos and more!
- The complete schedule of classes
- Livestreaming from USEFNetwork
- The USEF Pony Finals official website
- Links to daily results
- Don’t forget to follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Chronofhorse
- We will have full analysis of the competition in the Sept. 5 issue of The Chronicle of the Horse magazine
