When the wind picked up and the skies darkened prior to the start of yesterday’s small green pony hunter over fences, understandably many trainers were worried about how their charges would handle the already pressure-filled atmosphere of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Pony Finals in Lexington, Ky.
Ali Sweetnam had the opposite concern.
“My heart was in my stomach, and I was shaking, but I thought no matter what I would still be doing really well."
Sophie Gochman finished her U.S. Pony Finals with a bang.
Where speed is the name of the game, and model points don't matter. The pony jumper team competition wrapped up yesterday evening and Zone 4 emerged victorious.
“You just have to tell him he’s amazing, and he’s the best,” she said. “He loves to be told how great he is. If you tell him he’s bad he gets mad at you.”
The first championships of Pony Finals were awarded today, and Taylor St. Jacques wins both the large pony hunter championship and the award for the biggest smile!
