Pigtails and Pony Hunters Were the Center of Attention at the 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival

Wellington, FL – The favorite division for many spectators at the 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival is the Pony Working Hunters. The ponies were split into three divisions based on their height, and competed for many prestigious trophies and $18,500 in prize money.

The Large Pony Hunter Stake started the day in the Rost arena with 23 entries. The stake awarded $2,000 and the Hillcrest Farm Challenge Trophy. The winner of the stake, the tri-colored championship ribbon and the Quiet Hill Farm Challenge Trophy was Land’s End Mad Hatter and Alise V. Oken, who rides with Robert Hunt. “Bubba (Land’s End Mad Hatter) is really easy to ride, but he gets lazy sometimes and I have to kick to keep him going,” Oken said with a smile. “I have been riding him for 15 months, and he gets grumpy if he does not get his mints,” she laughed as he begged for treats. Reserve Champion Large Pony Hunter was Keep Dreamin’ ridden by Katie Dinan.

Land’s End Mad Hatter was back in the winners circle again after placing first in the $2,500 Village of Wellington Large Pony Hunter Classic. “This is my first time at the National Horse Show,” 14-year-old Oken explained. “My little sister is going to get to ride Bubba next.”

The Medium Pony Hunter Stake winner was Allure, ridden by Victoria Colvin. The Medium Pony Championship was named following the stake class. Schaeffer Raposa dominated the division, taking home champion and reserve champion honors. The champion and winner of the Captain Hook Challenge Trophy was Kiss The Rain and reserve went to True Blue. The grey ponies, who are both trained by Bill Schaub, proudly marched in for their tri-colored ribbons.

“Both ponies are really straight forward and fun to ride,” Raposa commented. “I rode Kiss the Rain at Tampa last year, but it was my first time on True Blue. They were perfect in the ring and were really good this week.” The seasoned 12-year-old Raposa catch rides ponies for many of the top stables, competing on approximately five mounts per show.

Prince Monticello, with Victoria Colvin as pilot, won the Small Pony Hunter Stake and took home the Ashmont Farm Challenge Trophy. She also won the Small Pony Championship and the Turtle Lane Farm Challenge Trophy. Colvin was riding the pony for Ron Danta, and it was the first time that she had ever ridden Prince Monticello.

“He is nine years old and was reserve champion at the Washington International Horse Show in the smalls,” Danta said. “He is a nice ride in the ring and is pretty straight forward. Tori is a great rider and follows directions well. I basically only told her to keep a rhythm, which she did beautifully,” he added. Reserve champion honors was awarded to Hi Lite, ridden by Lucille R. Oken.

The Small and Medium Pony Hunters were combined for the Pony Hunter Classic, and Raposa reined supreme once again, placing first and second on Cloudy Bay and Kiss The Rain.

After an exciting week of hunter action at the 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival, the final championships were awarded, and all of the horses and ponies were carefully shipped back to their stables located all over the United States. For many competitors, it was just one of decades that are full of memories, with black and orange wool coolers. For others, it was the first of many National Horse Shows that they will compete in, train, judge or watch in their lives. Please join us next year for a little piece of equestrian tradition and history at the 124th National Horse Show.

PHOTO CREDIT: Land’s End Mad Hatter and Alise V. Oken, winners of the Large Pony Hunter Stake and championship. Photo by Randi Muster.