Devon, Pa. – May 28, 2022 – Competition in the Wheeler Ring Saturday at the 2022 Devon Horse Show saw a talented field of riders and their ponies vie for top honors in their respective divisions. All hoping to claim the Grand Pony Hunter Championship title, as well as the Wizard of Oz Perpetual Trophy, donated by Susan Burr Malanowski and Lloyd Longenecker in 2012, competitors put their best foot forward to try and accumulate the most points in their respective divisions. Vivian Golden and Brixton emerged victorious, walking away with the Grand Pony Hunter Championship.
Brixton, a flashy 12-year-old German Riding Pony owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, was not originally on the list for the 2022 Devon Horse Show. Having just qualified the gelding earlier in the year at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) to put him seventh on the waitlist, last minute shuffling from qualified competitors earned him a coveted spot on the competition list.Golden and Brixton had a strong start in the Large Pony Hunter division Thursday, earning two first place ribbons in the $2,500 Large Pony Hunter over fences and a fourth place in the $2,500 Large Pony Hunter under saddle.
The pair clinched the division championship Friday, as well as the Pride N’ Joy Perpetual Trophy, donated by Alexandra and Eric Meyer, after riding to first place in the $3,000 Large Pony Hunter Handy round and a second place in the $3,500 Large Pony Hunter Stake. Golden also walked away with the Best Child Rider on a Pony award for her efforts aboard multiple different pony mounts throughout the two days of competition. She also received the Dresden Challenge Trophy, donated by Friends of Mr. Gerald Goldman. Reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunter division was awarded to Olivia Sweetnam riding Take 3 LLC’s Goldmark.
In the Medium Pony Hunter division, the championship and “Lucky Too” Perpetual Trophy, donated in 2002 by Rachael Herkowitz, was awarded to Sweetnam riding MMK Equestrian LLC’s Sugarbrook Adorabelle. Sweetnam also received the reserved champion honors for her rides aboard Tristan, owned by Aquitaine Equine. The Small Pony Hunter division championship and the Harry Duce Memorial Trophy, donated in 2020 by friends of Harry Duce, was presented the Reagan Jarrett and her own Dream Big, while Ella Tarumianz and So Enchanted, owned by Sprucedale Inc., claimed the reserve champion tricolor. To cap off the afternoon of awards in the Wheeler ring, Maraynn Teuschler was awarded the Beatrice Marshall Sportsmanship Award.
Competition will continue at the 2022 Devon Horse Show Sunday, May 29, highlighting the Children’s Jumper competitors as well as the Carriage and Harness divisions.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Vivian Golden – 2022 Grand Pony Hunter Champion
On Brixton:
“He’s very soft and he never pulls. He’s very adjustable and he lessons very well. I’ve been riding him since January. I thought our rides were good, he’s definitely the best that he has ever been so far. He really stepped up. He wasn’t actually supposed to be here, he got off the waitlist. He was seventh down on the waitlist because he was a green pony last year, but I got him qualified during WEF.”
On earning Best Child Rider on a Pony:
“It was really cool because I haven’t experienced earning an award like that at past Devon Horse Shows.”
On the Devon Horse Show:
“It’s so fun, it’s one of my favorite horse shows. This is my third time here, and I love to show here because of the fair and being with all my friends.”
On riding for Dr. Betsee Parker:
“It’s been so fun because at WEF it was my first time doing it. It was so fun when I found out. I’ve fixed my position and I’ve had really great training.”
