At my old RS, which was very small, I sometimes was in an occasional group lesson with the advanced students (when weather forced it -- I normally took private lessons there), who were teenage girls. One, the daughter of the YO, has just won the 2008 USEF Pony Finals! (Part of 5 person team.)
http://www.chronofhorse.com/index.php?cat=1350808080432282&ShowArticle_ID=1351608084565329
I knew she rode well and she usually placed first at our local unrated shows, but I didn't know she was THAT good!
Don’t Mess With Texas
Across the road in the indoor arena, Zone 7 earned their first gold medal in the Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Team Championship. In fact, it was the first time they had even placed in the competition.
“It was the first year that we had a full team, and not only that, but they were the best team!” said Zone 7 chef d’equipe, Kim Brunson of Tyler, Texas.
Jacob Roberson, 14, of Ruston, La.; Kayla Briel, 15, of Coppell, Texas; Breezy Sambola, 11, Covington, La.; and Gabrielle Ploth, 13, of Conroe, Texas finished with a combined score of just four faults.
None of the four riders had ridden together or knew each other well coming into the competition. The team atmosphere presented a new challenge which they adapted to well.
“I almost threw up!” said Briel. “I was freaking out because I didn’t want it to be my fault if we lost.”
Briel held up her end of the deal and helped her team win gold, but not with out a close finish. The team from Zone 2—Megan O’Mara, Gillian King, Elizabeth Solomon and Adam Sklansky—also finished with a total of four faults, but a slightly slower time bumped them down to silver. Taking home the bronze medal was Carter Ware, Phebe Jenkins, Chloe Reid and Sarah Mills of Zone 3.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/index.php?cat=1350808080432282&ShowArticle_ID=1351608084565329
I knew she rode well and she usually placed first at our local unrated shows, but I didn't know she was THAT good!