Valley Horses

Marissa Rice scores big in Kentucky

Thirteen members of the Genesee Valley Pony Club comprised the majority of the Western New York Region contingent that traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, for the U.S. Pony Club Festival and Championships.

Marissa Rice and Jessica Hainsworth had been riding friends for many years, so Jessica encouraged Marissa to give Pony Club a try, especially with the Championships being held in Kentucky for the first time since they were old enough to take part.

Rice gained her C1 rating and qualified to compete in Training level dressage in Lexington, the heart of horsey happenings for many national organizations, with her lovely young mare C.C. Daisy Duke.

The pair were on a scramble team of riders from across the east coast. In heat that was 115 degree heat index, they put up three great tests with consistent scores in the high 60 percent range, helping their team to finish third overall.

The final day at the Festival, Rice rode a musical freestyle to an amazing 72.8 percent, winning the USPC National Championship both at Training level and also the Freestyle competition. For this she won a Robert Dover I Love Dressage pin, a replica of the one Dover’s mother gave him that is on display at the USPC office.

Other GVPC members who took part in the Festival were Jessica Hainsworth in Third Level Dressage, Paul Cripps, Emily Gray, Kyle Hainsworth, and Josef Thorne in Junior Games; Ashley Stappenbeck and Kassandra Wholschlegel in Senior Games; Mckenzie Bennet, Gibson Donnan, and Ingrid Donnan in Show Jumping; and Ariana Cole and Maggie Lloyd in Tetrathalon, where Lloyd finished second overall.

While at the Festival, Jessica Hainsworth learned that she has been selected to ride at an Emerging Dressage Athletes Program clinic being held Aug 5-7 in Michigan at Hampton Green Farm with Courtney King Dye as the judge/clinician. This new program has been initiated by internationally renowned dressage riders and teachers Lendon Gray, Robert Dover, and Courtney King Dye to identify up-and-coming riders and give them a leg up, of sorts.

Young riders from across the country were chosen after an extensive application process and very specific video submission.

Each rider will participate in one of several clinics where they will be ranked, with the top riders being asked to come to Wellington, Florida, in the winter/spring to train for 2 weeks with Gray, Dover, and Dye.

While at the Horse Park, Hainsworth stopped by the U.S. Dressage Federation headquarters, where she was able to get her Bronze Medal lapel pin, as she completed her scores for that distinction in early July with her horse Strudel, by earning two scores of 60 percent or better from two different judges at First, Second, and third levels.

“That was a real highlight of the event, placing her Bronze Medal pin on right alongside her pony club pin!” stated her proud mother, Julia, who also coached Rice to her successes in dressage.

Congratulations to all who took part in the trip!

Hemlock Fair 4-H

Horse Show Results

The following 4-H members qualified to compete at the New York State Fair based on their outstanding performances at the Hemlock Fair.

English

Junior High Point: Deanna Schenkel riding Laertes; Reserve: Megan Korpiel riding Class Only

Senior High Point: Mackenzie Shuster riding Alywild; Reserve: Kali Covert riding Mulligan

Western

Junior High Point: Hannah Chaffer riding Rosie; Reserve: Danielle Bosch riding Lilly

Senior High Point: Elizabeth Consler riding Ariel; Reserve: Allie Holmes riding Done It Again

Mini/Driving

Junior High Point Halter: Megan Korpiel; Reserve: Laura Doody

Senior High Point Halter: Teresa Knopf; Reserve: Katie Hill

Junior High Point Driving: Dana Pernicone

Senior High Point Driving: Teresa Knopf

Games

Junior High Point: Ally Lagrou riding Peanut; Reserve: Danielle Bosch riding Lilly

Senior High Point: Felicia Holbrook riding Smoke; Reserve: Elizabeth Consler riding Ariel

Dressage

Junior High Point: Vanessa Vedger riding Dazzle Me; Reserve: Jessie Banker riding A Healthy Treat

Senior High Point: Allie Tuchrello riding Croton Honey; Reserve: Kaedynne Wilson riding Ashland

Training Jumper Champion: Good Samaritan and Dr. Kathy Hall; Reserve: Casino and Renee Armendinger

Schooling Jumper Champion: Centerstage and Julianne Pangal: Reserve: This Will of Mine and Danita Blowers

Jumper Champion: Goldika and Ashley Bradford; Reserve: This Will of Mine and Danita Blowers

Low Hunter Champion: Miles to Go and Alexandra Sanford; Reserve: Jay’s Lucky Lady and Samantha Childs

Limit Hunter Champion: Calvin and Amyrose Lomele; Reserve: Casino and Rene Armendinger

Limit Equitation Champion: Renee Armendinger; Reserve: April Krenzer

Children’s Adult Hunter Champion: Centerstage and Julianne Pangal; Reserve: Casino and Rene Armendinger

Children’s Adult EquitationChampion: Alexandra Sanford; Reserve: Amyrose Lomele

Oxford Hill Hunter Classic Winner: For Pete’s Sake and Claudia McDaniels