2019 Equestrian Awards Contest Winners
2019 Contest Winner - Jennifer Cary
Catherine Cary and “Meadow Fox Cadbury” (Cad) after their first show together. This team has had two very successful show seasons together. They’ve been Champion or Reserve Champion in the Hampton Roads Horse Show Series (HRHSS) and Middle Peninsula Horse Show Association (MPHSA) in SS Hunter, Pony Hunter, Student Equitation, Pony Equitation and Eq. on the Flat. Catherine and “Cad” were Reserve Champion in SS Hunter for the Virginia Horse Show Association (VHSA). This season they will be competing in the VHSA rated show series and hope to qualify for the Pony Medal Finals in Warrenton, Virginia this July. The money won will be used for show expenses and a bag of Cheetos (Cad’s favorite)! Catherine is eleven years old and has been riding since she was seven. She and “Cad” ride and train at Foxtail Farm under Dana Kiser in Smithfield, VA.
2019 Honorable Mention - Ellen Lear
Photographed are Patrick Tooker and "Owen" upon taking First Place in an equitation class at the Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Alyshazam Horse Show. Patrick is 12 years old and has been riding since he was 5. He loves coming to the barn to ride and spend time with the horses. His favorite horse is "Owen", a 15 year old Quarter Horse. Patrick is going to use his prize money to help pay for his riding lessons at Pal-O-Mine. One day he would like to compete in the Hampton Classic Horse Show and ride like McLain Ward, whom Patrick looks up to. Photo was taken and submitted by Ellen Lear, a Member of the Pal-O-Mine Board of Directors.
2019 Honorable Mention - Kali Moxley
Photographed is Charlotte, age 6, accepting her Third Place ribbon for her exceptional riding. Charlotte competed against 26 of Inspiration Ranch’s 70 riders in the Fall Horse Show. Inspiration Ranch exists to break down barriers and celebrate the inclusion of individuals with physical, emotional, and social disabilities. We offer exceptional equine assisted therapy and activities in a loving Christian environment.
2019 Honorable Mention - Kelley Varisco
Photographed is Alex Varisco taken at St Andrews University, Laurinburg, NC. This was Alex's last home Intercollegiate Dressage Association show of her senior year at SAU. Her placing qualified her to ride as an individual at the IDA National Championships 2018. Alex has been a member of SAU IDA for four years and served on the riding council as Dressage Show chair. She is a 2018 SAU graduate with a degree in communications and minor in Equine Business. Photo was taken and submitted by Kelley Varisco.
2019 Honorable Mention - Maggie Kwiatkowski
Photographed are Kaitie Hodges-Brady (L) and Mikal Porter (R), along with Wilmington College’s school horse “Speckles”. “Speckles” is a 16-year-old registered Appaloosa gelding and a jack of all trades, but enjoys his job as a western horse and reiner the most. Kaitie and Mikal are celebrating their winnings after the fall opening Western IHSA show. Both are members of Wilmington Colleges’ Western IHSA Equestrian team. Mikal received Reserve Highpoint Rider for both the AM and PM shows. Kaitie received Third Place in her AM show and Fourth Place in the PM. They are excited to deposit the prize money into the team account so that the funds can be dispersed as needed! Photo was taken by Taylor Ankney and submitted by Maggie Kwiatkowski.
2019 Honorable Mention - Kelly Chou
“Marlyn Theodore” (“Teddy”) with his owner Kelly Davidson Chou made a big splash at the Pacific Coast Classic Mountain & Moorland Pony show in California. The 7-year-old gelding earned a Championship sash and Reserve Championship rosette at his first halter show. With only about 3,000 Exmoor Ponies worldwide and just over 100 in North America, “Teddy” is a very rare pony. He started his halter training with Adrienne Grasso in 2018 and his saddle training is planned for 2019. His owner is excited to have him participate in more shows and exhibits so folks can see an Exmoor Pony in action. The contest prize money will be donated to the Exmoor Pony Center in the United Kingdom. The Center’s mission is to promote and protect the critically endangered breed: www.moorlandmousietrust.org.uk/
Photo by Al Chou.
2019 Honorable Mention - Alison Ward
Pictured is Aiden Ward and her pony “It’s About Time”. They rode their way to a Second Place finish in the Dapper Dan Farm Walk Trot Classic. Aiden rides at Sugarland Stables in Richmond, Rhode Island.
2019 Honorable Mention - Alison Ward
Pictured is Rayleigh Orton with her pony “Splash”. These rosettes were won at the Rhode Island year end awards banquet in the Walk Trot Equitation Division as well as the Beginners Pleasure Division. Rayleigh rides at Sugarland Stables in Richmond, Rhode Island.
2019 Honorable Mention - Sarah Schaaf
“GTR Patricks Vindicator”, known to his friends as “Patrick”, is a 24 year old miniature horse gelding registered with the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR). “Patrick” is owned and trained by Sarah Schaaf, and they have been a team for over 20 years! Since 2008, “Patrick” has been exhibiting in breed demonstrations and performances across the state of Kentucky. During the summer months, “Patrick” can be seen performing at such events as the Kentucky 3 Day Event, Churchill Downs Family Days, Keeneland’s Paddock demonstrations, the CP National Horse Show and multiple guest appearances at the KY Horse Park’s Breeds Barn. In addition to these events, “Patrick” exhibits at Breyerfest and the Secretariat Festival. “Patrick” was even invited to perform at the World Equestrian Games in 2018!
In 2014, “Patrick” officially became a registered therapy horse. With the highest certification from Pet Partners’ program, “Patrick” is able to visit schools, hospitals, nursing homes and even mental institutions. Everyone smiles when they see “Patrick” walking out of the elevator! Through his heroic therapy work and promotion of the miniature horse breed, “Patrick” was inducted into the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Hall of Fame in 2015. “Patrick” and Sarah's exemplification of the horse and human bond also earned him the honor of being inducted into the USEF/ EQUUS Foundation Horse Stars Hall of fame in 2017. “Patrick” is pictured with Sarah Schaaf and their custom Hodges awards honoring “Patrick's” induction into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame. “Patrick” and Sarah are going to use a portion of their prize to use as gas money for “Patrick's” events and therapy visits.
2019 Honorable Mention - Erin Frank
Pictured are Ella Frank and her pony “Great Blue”. “Great Blue” is a 21 Welsh Cob pony that is a true unicorn. Ella and “Great Blue” have had a very successful show year in the Children’s Small/Medium Hunter Pony Division. This photo was taken after Harrisburg National Horse Show where Ella was named Best Child Rider. Ella loves the ribbon that she received because it is the colors of the farm where she rides, Hollyhurst Farm. The photo was taken by Ella’s Grandmother, Jennifer Spangler.
2019 Honorable Mention - Lori Ebels
Photographed is 9 year old "Champion". He was the Grand Champion Open pole bending horse at Equine Fellowships fall Weave 'Em & Leave 'Em show along with his rider, Lori Ebels. Lori bought "Champion" when he was 3, and trained him to be a barrel horse. This past year "Champion" showed us, pole bending is his favorite event. The money will be used to go towards "Champion’s" new saddle pad! He is a standard bred paint cross that barely stands at 14.2 and besides pole bending & barrel racing, he is also used for goat tying!
2019 Honorable Mention - Sandra Messineo
Pictured is 9 year old Emma and her rescue Morgan cross pony "NuChance on Life" (Forevermorgans.org). This was his first year in the show ring and he proved to be a STAR! Emma finished the year end as Grand Champion in Walk/Trot 11 & Under for the series she shows in, Show Off Equine Events, Schaghticoke, NY. Emma and "NuChance" also belong and show with the TriCounty Pony Club, Altamont, NY. where they earned Reserve Champion for the year in Open Walk/Trot. Emma will use this money towards a new saddle since she outgrew hers, treats for "NuChance" and she'll donate some back to Forever Morgans.
