Allison Stroud

Greven-Bockholt, Germany: At the FEI World Combined Pony Championships 2009, held from August 13th – 16th in Germany, Allison Stroud of West Grove, PA, helped the US to a fourth in the team placings. She, herself, finished in 16th place. Four years ago Allison and her grey Connemara Ponies stormed onto the Four-in-Hand scene and have been racking up wins ever since. This was Stroud’s fourth time representing the U.S. at the World Championships; she was part of the 2003 team that finished sixth in Austria, the 2005 team that placed fifth in Great Britain, and the 2007 Bronze Medal winning team in Poland.

Her team this year consisted of Cong Donal from Ireland (Cong Admiral X Cong Daisy), Kilkerin Edward from Ireland (Tulira Edward X Coosheen Briony ), Benjamin from England (by Hayselden Bacchus) and Sir Patrick, an Irish Connemara. Mystic, a Dutch New Forest Pony is also a member of her team. More used to winning than not, The Stroud Team were the National Pony Driving Champions in 2007 and 2008. Earlier in 2008 Stroud won at the Live Oak CAI and was second at the Garden State CAI. This Spring, they also won at Live Oak. Photos were graciously provided by Eberhard Holin.

College Grove, Tenn: Thirteen year old McCallie Moore and Ridgetop Zachary finished in fifth place (out of 24 competitors) with a score of 65.4% at the recent USDF Region 1 Dressage Championships in the Training Level JR/YR Championships. They also received a first place with a score of 68% in the Dressage Seat Equitation Semi-Final for 13 and under and a first place in Training Level Test 2, Open, with a score of 69.64%. In two JR/YR Training Level Test 4’s, they received a 3rd and a 6th place with scores of 68.8% and 63.2%, respectively. Zachary is a 19 year-old halfbred Connemara by Aladdin’s Denver out of Countessa Farah, a Thoroughbred.

Seaborne’s Tell Tale

Creedmor, NC: Denise Hill reports that one of her ponies qualified and competed in the USEF Zone 3 Pony Hunter Finals in Upper Marlboro, MD recently. The top 20 ponies in the zone were invited to compete in their respective divisions. Seaborne’s Tell Tale (Seaborne’s Schooner X Aladdin’s Delaney), a six year-old bay mare, competed all year in the Children's Pony Hunter (large) division at USEF "A" rated shows that offered qualifying classes. She was ranked 10th going into the finals. She showed in two over fences classes and one flat class. Her best showing was a 9th place (out of 20) in her first over fences class. Tell Tale, aka Fiona, was trained by Lauren Hill and shown by Emma Schmid.

Connleigh Kevin McMor

Raleigh, NC: At the recent NC State Fair, USEF recognized Connemara Division, the results were as follows: Mares, Three and Over: 1) Seaborne’s Dory (Seaborne’s Schooner X Aladdin’s Delaney), 2)*Kilfenora Rosie O’Day (Windy Day X Kilfenora Rose), both owned by Densie Hill; Colts and Geldings, Three and Over: 1) Connleigh Kevin McMor (Greystone Dallen McMor X Connleigh Lucy McNell) owned by Leslie Presson, 2) Fieldstream Pikachu (Landgate Bluebeard X Fieldstream Bailey), owned by Eve Cummings. Champion, Kevin McMor; Res., Fieldstream Pikachu. Halfbred Colts and Geldings, Three and Over: 1) Seaborne’s Mariner, 2) Kynynmont O’Quinn.

Richmond, Va: Four year-old Summer Fraughnaugh and Hambone, a Jack Russell Terrier, reprised their roles as bride and groom (from the Region 3 show in July) at the Mechanicsville Riding Club Halloween Show held at Dory Park. Summer rode Loch Linnhe (CR Roaringwater Bay X Canadien Warmblood) who was the getaway car. Whereas Hambone had to be carried bodily to the altar in July, this time he willingly followed his bride. For their efforts they earned a third place ribbon. In second place were Ashley and Taylor Loving on “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” aka Courtney’s April Frolic (Cushtusha’s Cashel Rock X Aillte Mhuire). Earlier in the day 11 year-old Taylor won a first place ribbon in a Junior Equitation class on April. She is trained by Alexandra Duckworth.

Summer and Hambone as Bride and Groom

Ashley and Taylor on "Rudolph"