Partly Cloudy Returns to Kym K Smith/USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships to Claim Second Overall Grand Champion Title
Dozens of Young Ponies Showcased at Third Annual Championships in Virginia
Lexington, Va.—Aug. 25, 2020—The third annual Kym K. Smith/USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships saw a 33 percent increase in entries this year. More than $20,000 in prize money was awarded and six division champions were named on August 23 at the Virginia Horse Center during the Virginia Young Horse Festival in Lexington, Virginia.
Eamon Snyder, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Partly Cloudy claimed the Overall Grand Champion title at the event. Partly Cloudy is no stranger to the spotlight at the YHPC as the 2018 Overall Grand Champion and multiple class winner with owner Vanessa Mazzoli. This year with Snyder aboard, the pair earned the overall title as well as the champion title of the Six- and Seven-Year-Olds 2’ and Six- and Seven-Year-Olds 2’3” divisions.
"It was a nice surprise, and I thought it was great there were a lot of competitive riders and ponies there," Snyder said about the win. "[Partly Cloudy] was relaxed when I was showing him, and he jumped really well. He’s really fun to ride, and he is just a great pony overall."
Snyder has had Partly Cloudy since 2019 and made it a goal to take the pony back to the YHPC. He said he was impressed by the turnout at the show as well as the scenery inside and outside the ring.
"There were so many nice people at the show and a lot of very nice sponsors," Snyder said. "It was very well run."
Partly Cloudy earned the Overall Grand Champion title with rider/owner Eamon Snyder, center. Also pictured are Young Hunter Pony Task Force Chair and Vice Chair Oliver Brown and Robin Greenwood, far left, Kym K Smith, second from right, and USHJA President Mary Babick, far right. Photo by SAS Equine Photography.
The USHJA congratulates the following division champions and special award winners at the 2020 event:
Five-Year-Old and Under Under Saddle:
Champion: Royal Finale, owned and trained by Melissa Jo Hollingsworth, ridden by Finley Scheffel
Reserve Champion: Farnley’s Paper Mache, owned by Farnley Farm, ridden by Ashley Moran, trained by Damaris Abeles
Four- and Five-Year-Olds 2'
Champion: Royal and Rare, owned and trained by Melissa Jo Hollingsworth, ridden by Finley Scheffel
Reserve Champion: Farnley Rock Around, owned by Farnley Farm, ridden by Lilia Sharp, trained by Damaris Abeles
Four- and Five-Year-Olds 2'3"
Champion: Farnley Tenspeed, owned by Hetty Abeles, ridden by Lilia Sharp, trained by Damaris Abeles
Reserve Champion: Royal & Rare owned and trained by Melissa Jo Hollingsworth, ridden by Finley Scheffel
Six- and Seven-Year-Olds 2’
Champion: Partly Cloudy, owned and ridden by Eamon Snyder, trained by Alison Babcock
Reserve Champion: Papillion, owned by Cameron Kosko, ridden by Hannah Haines, trained by Shelly Haines-Clement
Six- and Seven-Year-Olds 2’3”
Champion: Partly Cloudy, owned and ridden by Eamon Snyder, trained by Alison Babcock
Reserve Champion: Welcome Back, owned and ridden by Kacy Baumgart, trained by Martine Hartogensis
Six- and Seven-Year-Olds 2’6”
Champion: Wynnbrook Polar Vortex, owned and ridden by Amy Krebs, trained by Michelle Zimmer
Reserve Champion: Royal Street, owned and ridden by Lauren Snellings, trained by Stephanie Free
Other Special Awards:
· Style Award: Kacy Baumgart
· VPBA High Point Award: Farnley Farm
· Welsh High Point Purebred Award: Farmore Eye Candy
· Welsh High Point Half Bred Award: Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy, ridden by Eamon Snyder. Photo by: SAS Equine Photography.
The officials at this year's event were judges Mike Rosser and Tony Sgarlata, steward Ann Turnicky, course designer Alan Lohman and manager Keedie Leonard.
The USHJA extends a special thanks to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation for hosting the Championships and to title sponsor Kym K Smith.
"This year's event was fantastic," Smith said. "I am so happy so many people returned from last year as well as the newcomers this year. I really enjoy my role in these championships. I enjoy meeting everyone and love hearing stories of their journey getting to the championships. Everyone—parents, kids, USHJA staff and Horse Center [staff]—were so wonderful."
The USHJA thanks class supporters Virginia Pony Breeders Association, Lisa Kline, Hetty Abeles of Farnley Farm, and Oliver and Joan Brown of Hunters Haven, as well as cooler supporters Ellen Carroll and Jessie Lang.
The USHJA also thanks official and award sponsors Charles Owen, CWD, Essex Classics, FITS Riding, Parlanti, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, as well as award donors Angel Whips, Boy O Boy Bridleworks, Maye Show Ponies, Ellie's Bows and Floral Wreaths by Susan Garrett.
For more information about the USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championship, visit ushja.org/yhpc.
View individual class results here.
To view the photo gallery from SAS Equine Photography from this event, click here.
