Thirty ponies guided by fierce young riders took to Ring 11 on Sunday for the final day of competition in the Medium Pony Hunters during Week 8 of the 2019 WEF. The division was held in a California split format due to the large amount of entries and therefore crowned both a Section A and Section B champion. On a total of 30 points, the Section A champion title was awarded to Allison Coleman and Radiance, while Alexa Elle Lignelli earned 26 points to become the Section B champion with Fox Creek’s Curious George.
Coleman piloted her own 11-year-old Connemara mare to two first place ribbons, a second, and a third and said that she feels the mare’s consistency is what helps her to come out on top.
Allison Coleman and Radiance. Photo © Sportfot.
“She’s so perfect and she is a pretty good mover, but I think what’s most important is that she is always consistent,” Coleman explained. “She never does anything bad.”
“This is my first time being champion on her at WEF, which is extremely exciting,” she added.
Lignelli was paired with the Lignelli Family’s 12-year-old Half Welsh gelding (Trefaestaran x Mayon Princess) and was hot on Coleman’s heels with ribbons of one first, two seconds, and a third.
The duo is no stranger to success after having also won champion in their division during WCHR Hunter Week of the 2019 WEF.
“We are a great team and I think that because we work together all of the time, we have a great connection,” Lignelli explained. “It’s not always about how good of a mover or a jumper they are, but also about how well you work together as a team.”
Alexa Elle Lignelli and Fox Creek’s Curious George. Photo © Sportfot
Lignelli also picked up the reserve champion ribbon of Section B aboard EMC Entourage, fondly known to her as ‘Louie’.
“George just loves to mess around and do silly things in the barn,” she said of her champion pony, “while Louie is a big show-off because he was previously a breeding stallion.”
Olivia Sweetnam and On Your Mark were named reserve champion for Section A.