Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 11, 2022 – The Regular Small Pony Hunters rounded out day three of the 2022 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farms. The shining sun was nothing compared to the smiles of young pony riders exiting the Rolex Arena on Thursday evening in the Bluegrass State. Kevin Holowack (CAN) set a classic hunter course, allowing pony-and-rider combinations to showcase their skills in the spotlight. Following three division phases, Ella Endzweig and Private Message dominated the field of 112 seasoned Small Pony Hunters, jumping to the blue ribbon over fences and ultimately securing the Regular Small Pony Hunter Championship. Ella Tarumianz and So Enchanted claimed the Reserve Championship honors.
Endzweig and the 10-year-old Welsh Pony mare owned by Twin Island LLC, showed off just how strong their partnership is as they handled the pressure with ease. The pair entered the Rolex Arena sitting in 23rd place overall, but Endzweig, skilled beyond her years, did not waver and took the opportunity to flaunt her pony’s big, elegant canter. “I went into the ring and I just trusted her – we have such a good bond that it all just worked out,” commented Endzweig. “This year we didn’t have as great of a model score, but she is the best pony ever and I knew she would be really good going in.” Immediately picking up a confident pace, the pair made easy work of the course and did so in traditional hunter style, earning a jumping score of 264.09 points and an overall score of 1029.50 points.
Tarumianz and the 13-year-old Welsh Pony Cross owned by Sprucedale Inc. were second to last in the order of go, and produced a phenomenal over fences round, leaving the crowd speechless until the very last jump. Entering the stadium sitting in second place overall, the pair maintained their position in the winner’s circle and secured the reserve tri-color award for the victory gallop. Although close to perfection, the duo could not quite catch the Endzweig sisters, and earned a total jumping score of 255.66 points to take fourth and an overall score of 1027.90.
The 2022 USEF Pony Finals, presented by Honor Hill Farm, will continue Friday at 7:00AM EST with the Regular Medium Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle. The day will conclude in the Rolex Arena with the Medium and Large Green Hunter Over Fences, and the crowing of the Medium and Large Green’s will occur after the over fences. The Claiborne will play host to the Jumper Individual Phase II and Team Championship. Competition will conclude Sunday, August 14th, with the highly anticipated Pony Medal.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Ella Endzweig – Regular Small Pony Hunter Champion
Ella Endzweig on her winning round:
“I went in around 90th. I went in the ring and I just trusted her. We have such a bond that it just worked out. I was a little nervous because I wanted to do so well but she is the best pony ever and I knew she would be really good going in.”
On Private Message:
“Last year we came here and it was her first time and my first time at Pony Finals. We won the model last year but this year we didn’t have as great of a model score. She is the best pony. We have had her since December of 2020. We have gone through so many shows and gotten so much better.”
Private Message in the barn:
“She is very sweet and sometimes very sassy. She is very full of herself because she knows she is great.”
What Endzweig is working on at home:
“We are mostly working on straightness and getting up the lines easily.”
On her riding history:
“I have been riding since I was four but I only trotted then. We went to Kyla Makhloghi in 2019 and she taught us how to canter up until now.”
On riding with her sister:
“It is really fun. We get really competitive sometimes but we are also happy for each other. We don’t really know each other’s ponies so we only give each other advice on the ponies that we share.”
On winning at Pony Finals;
“It is really really special and she is the best pony because she just trusted me and I trusted her and she did every jump that I asked her to.”
RESULTS
2022 Small Pony Hunters Over Fences
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / Score
Private Message / Ella Endzweig / Twin Island, LLC / 264.09
Smoke Tree Starlet / Luca Endzweig / Twin Island, LLC / 257.32
H.G. Mud Puddles / Emery O’Keefe / Jet Show Stable / 256.12
So Enchanted / Ella Tarumianz / Sprucedale INC / 255.66
Napa Valley / Addison Litman / Addison Litman / 255.37
Benlea Mizzou / Robert Mercer / Katherine Mercer / 255.18
Sugarbrook Burnside / Ella Jane Howard / Sweet Oak Farm / 254.08
Manhattan / JJ Torano / Laurie Jueneman / 253.15
Roll Call / Emi Richard / Ava Berman / 251.23
DF Crush / Sienna Rossano / Cumberland Acres / 248.37
2022 Small Pony Hunter Overall
Private Message / Ella Endzweig / Twin Island, LLC / 1029.50
So Enchanted / Ella Tarumianz / Sprucedale INC / 1027.90
Sugarbrook Burnside / Ella Jane Howard / Sweet Oak Farm / 1024.20
Manhattan / JJ Torano / Laurie Jueneman / 1015.70
Roll Call / Emi Richard / Ava Berman / 1008.60
Napa Valley / Addison Litman / Addison Litman / 1007.50
Smoke Tree Starlet / Luca Endzweig / Twin Island, LLC / 1005.80
Westley / Alina McLean / Olivia Golden / 1005.60
H.G. Mud Puddles / Emery O’Keefe / Jet Show Stable / 1005.40
DF Crush / Sienna Rossano / Cumberland Acres / 996.59