The weather so far at the Erin Welcome CSI1* has shaped up to be nothing short of perfect. The horses and competitors, young and old, have been fortunate enough to experience the amazing atmosphere the sun has brought upon the show all week. Seasoned professionals and tiny pony jocks were giving their all on the grounds yesterday, in celebration of the OHJA Pony Power Day Angelstone Tournaments proudly holds for their young riders every year, as well as the Canadian Hunter Derby series, which brought the best of the best to the EEC ring in the afternoon.
In the OHJA Large Pony Power Handy, Mackay’s Wine N’ Dine and Averey May Pritchard topped the class with a seamless ride in the ESI Hunter ring, which helped to clinch for the pair the Large Pony Championship. Earlier that morning, the Medium Ponies demonstrated several slick trips in the ESI ring as well, especially Ellah Dubeau Kielty aboard Kelly Traver’s Kingsland. Kielty and Kingsland we’re not only crowned The OHJA Medium Pony Power winners, but swept three of the four classes in the Medium Pony division to respectfully earn division champion. Over in the Astalos Hunter ring, there were several class winners in the Small Pony hunters, making the call for Champion and Reserve Champion a close one. While the adorable Got the Giggles and Sasha Miniaci demonstrated the handiest OHJA Pony Power Round, the pair with the most consistent placings, Addison McQuaker and Peacekeeper were deemed the overall Champions with a total of ten points to finish the day.
Just after 4 pm, the professionals entered the beautifully decorated EEC ring to test their skill at the $3,000 grand prize in the first Canadian Hunter Derby of the season. With a total of 104 points, Erynn Ballard aboard Christel Weller’s stunning Enchanted we’re crowned victorious among a strong group of 17 competitors. Mother and daughter, Darcy and Quincy Hayes collectively had five horses in the derby, as well as a student, Erin Ugolini and mount Bombay who finished their first big class of the season in the 12th spot. Darcy aboard Meghan McDonald’s California finished in the third spot, following Danielle Baran’s Say When earning fourth, and Quincy rounded out the 8th spot on Catherine O’Connor’s Forrester. Canadian Hunter Derby founder, Muffie Guthrie had a fabulous derby day as well, earning second aboard Damiro Van Ter Notelaere and sixth with Lucky 2 Knight. The first Derby Day of the season was a great success! Angelstone Tournaments is proud to hold a day to showcase great hunter riding at all of our shows. See you all next Friday at the Headwater’s Cup CSI2* in the EEC ring!
ERYNN BALLARD & ENCHANTED [Photo Credit @ Mackenzie Clark for Ben Radvanyi Photography]
