Burbank, CA - November 13, 2005 - The final day of the National Preview Horse Show, held November 9-13 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, was all about the ponies. The show featured the best in smaller equines by hosting the West Coast Pony Finals for both pony hunters and pony jumpers. Riders qualify for this prestigious event which serves as the final “A” competition for West Coast pony riders, and competitors travel from far distances to compete. Since 2000, the West Coast Pony Finals have been a “must do” event for pony hunter and pony jumper riders.

After capturing the Medium Pony Championship, Lauren Fields and Toy Story (Cavallo Farms) were named Grand Champions of the 2005 West Coast Pony Finals. Reserve Grand Champion was Chrystabelle, owned and ridden by Chelsea James. Chrystabelle earned the top honors in the Large Pony Hunter section.

For a number of the riders competing in the West Coast Pony Finals, the highlight of the day wasn’t in the ring; it was the pony unicorn shaped cake served at the banquet during the festivities. “It’s so cute,” said Grace Morton who rode her small pony Grand Finale in the West Coast Pony Finals. “And it tastes good too!” added the young rider.

But snacks aside, the real battle for the riders was in the ring. The Pony Jumpers kicked off the day in the jumper ring, where Jocelyn Neff, riding Donna Neff’s Cinnamon Twist won the West Coast Pony Jumper Finals. Hocus Pocus, owned and ridden by Madeline Burkhartsmeier came in second.

Then the cavalcade of ponies moved to the East Ring, where the West Coast Pony Hunter Finals were contested. More than thirty of the West Coast’s finest small, medium and large ponies competed in their respective size sections and for the chance to earn the grand champion title for the pony with the highest overall scores for the two round competition. Top honors in the Small Pony section went to Lauren Fields on her Clover Croft Bodacious Babe. Reserve champion in the Small Pony section was Madeline Hegedus on her Buffalo Soldier.

The Medium Pony championship went to Cavallo Farms’ Toy Story ridden by Lauren Fields with Corinne Miller riding her own Simply Magical to the second spot. In the Large Pony section, Chrystabelle owned and ridden by Chelsea James won the top spot with Bittersweet Justa Little Twist owned and ridden by Grace Luckach coming in second place.

Fields was then honored with the Chymraeg Rainshower Perpetual Trophy as the Grand Champion of the West Coast Pony Finals. Reserve Grand Champion was Chrystabelle with Chelsea James in the irons.

The National Preview served as the final USEF “A” show on the West Coast for pony hunters and the West Coast Pony Finals was a great way for riders to cap their season.

Small Pony Hunters

Medium Pony Hunters

Large Pony Hunters