2023 Equestrian Awards Contest Winners
2023 Contest Winner - Mikaila Ives
OTTB “Princess OfSt.Jude” AKA “Pineapple” is pictured here with ribbons from Brookside’s NorCal Thoroughbred Show. Owned and ridden by Mikaila Ives, this pair has been consistently showing in the jumper ring and decided to step into the Dressage ring for this show and won the TIP High Point Ribbon in Training Level. Pineapple and Mikaila also ventured into the Hunter ring for the first time together and got TIP Champion in the 18” division and TIP Reserve Champion in the 2’ division at this show. With this prize money I plan on putting it towards becoming a Vet Tech and getting my Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner Certificate. This photograph is taken by Mikaila’s sister, JessaMarie Ives.
2023 Honorable Mention - Noelle Schatzel
Photographed is “Ramble on Rose,” a 16.2 Hanoverian after a CHSA/VHSA show at Stonehouse Stables in September 2022. Affectionately she is called “Shasta,” and is owned by Jill Tewksbury at Cedar Valley Farm in Toano, Virginia. Shasta and her rider, Isla, had a great show, finishing as Champion in Short Stirrup Hunter and Reserve Champion in Short Stirrup Equitation. Isla is grateful to Jill and the older girls at Cedar Valley for all their help at shows this season. Isla says Shasta is the best horse she has ever ridden! Photographed by Isla’s mom, Noelle.
2023 Honorable Mention - Amy Schwartz
Madelyn was super excited to show 31-year-old Section A Welsh Mountain Pony “Hollering Hill Dottie” also known as “Merrylegs” in the leadline classes at the Kelviden Summer Classic Welsh Pony show in Ithaca NY. This was Maddy’s second time showing Merrylegs in the leadline but this was her first rated show. Merrylegs on the other hand has years and years of experience. The Kelviden Summer Classic was the inaugural show held at Kelviden Equestrian Center and was held in memory of Carolyn Corson, the greatest horse show mom ever! Photo by Autumn Greenberg.
2023 Honorable Mention - Natalie Goodwin
Photographed is “Tippy Toes” owned and shown by Ashlin of Santa Barbara, Ca. “Sadie” as she is known in the barn is Ashlin’s first horse, taking her from .65m jumpers all the way to Kentucky Pony Final Jumpers at 1.05m, where they earned Team Gold. Ashlin and Sadie enjoy showing in the jumper and hunter divisions, as well as Fox Hunting with her grandmother, Dale Hoeffliger. Besides showing horses, Ashlin is a Black Belt in martial arts Hapkido, a Master Miniature Horse Therapy Handler, pianist and dog rescuer.
2023 Honorable Mention - Erin Connelly
"Worth the Wait" aka Worthy and his owner/rider Talia earned Grand and Reserve champion at the Shady Dell Stables Autumn Classic. Worthy is a five-year-old GRP/Connemara who is just beginning his show career. He is a laid-back, lovable guy who loves treats, taking naps and hunter derbies. Talia is looking forward to growing as a team with Worthy and competing in the small junior hunter divisions. She plans to use her prize money toward a future clinic. Photographed by Talia's mom, Erin Connelly.
2023 Honorable Mention - Dene Massengill
Rita Dunn has reason to be happy. She just completed her Century Ride on herself trained horse D Grande Finale a Welsh Cob/German Riding Pony. Rita and Finale's combined ages equal 100 (79 & 21). The Dressage Foundation awards the beautiful ribbon for the team when they complete for this ride. Rita's Century Ride was ridden at 3rd level test 1. At the beautiful River Glen facility in New Market, TN. Rita is also recipient of the USDF bronze, silver and gold medals as well as the free style gold medal! Congratulations Rita. Well done!
2023 Honorable Mention - Melissa Fetterolf
Photographed is 6-year-old Welsh pony, “Loafers Lodge Golden Goose”, and rider/owner Temperance, with their Reserve Champion ribbon from the Kym L. Smith APEX 2022 show, and keepsake ribbon from a BCHSA young rider perpetual award. Teammates for past 2.5 years, they enjoy showing at young pony shows, competing in pony hunters, and love any change to get out to play cross country. Bringing along a green pony has its challenges, but this young duo always has fun together. Thank you Hodges for helping to memorialize a year of tremendous accomplishments. Perhaps the prize money will go towards treats! Photographed by Temperance’s mom, Missy Fetterolf.
2023 Honorable Mention - Alison Ward
Photographed is Charlotte showing her pony “Dutchess” in the Sugarland Stables 4-H pony in hand division. Charlotte is a member of the Sugarland Riders 4-H Riders Club.
2023 Honorable Mention - Kacey Kalmar
Macrae and his 32-year-old Quarter Horse Bart! They have been showing together for 3 years in the Utah County 4-H Horse Program. This year they won the Reserve High Point Champion and the Judged Events Champion. Bart has been a very special horse for our family, teaching each of our 3 kids to love to ride and winning many Hodges Badge awards! We are grateful to Jen Norman Photography for capturing this photo of our special boys.
2023 Honorable Mention - Lara McPherson
This is a photo I took of the 2021 Grand Champion Pony Hunter at Capital Challenge Horse Show at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. The autumn colors, handful of awards with ribbons almost as tall as the rider, and a big smiling rider with a super cute pony, all caught my attention as I was walking by, and I couldn't help but capture the moment.
Pony: So Enchanted
Rider: Lauren Padilla
Owner: Highland Farm LLC
Winning this contest means the world to me and I am very honored. I have a minor in photography from VCU and have been riding/competing since I was 7 years old so when my education and my passion collide, it is pure joy.
In addition, like the rider in the photo, I have also won some big awards at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, so this moment took me back to the excitement of everything clicking with 'horse' and rider, and the partnership, trust, connection and smiles it brings... not to mention beautiful long and flowing ribbons!
The money won for this recognition will no doubt be spent on horses!
2023 Honorable Mention - Leinani Vurno
Photographed is “Romany,” a 22-year-old thoroughbred quarter horse cross, after the North American Online Dressage Championship in 2022. Ridden and owned by Leinani and Noelani, two young dressage riders. Romany and his girls have been competing in online dressage shows for the last three years. This has been a wonderful way for them to compete as they live on a remote island in the PNW. Romany has taught his girls how to love and care for an older horse with a whole lot of spirit. Leinani and Noelani plan to spend their prize money on special soft cookies for their favorite old guy! Photographed by Leinani Vurno.