Tegan Price and Etch-A-Sketch Win USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East
Aiken, S.C.—June 21, 2024—Pony Hunters took center stage at Bruce’s Field during the Aiken Summer Classic II in the 2024 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East on Tuesday, June 18. Tegan Price, of Aiken, South Carolina, riding Etch-A-Sketch took the coveted title on a total score of 167.25. Finishing in reserve with a total score of 164, was Brynn Garret, riding Odyssey Orion, and collecting a close third was Havens Secord piloting Rodeo Drive to a 163.25.
"It is such an amazing feeling to win the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East," exclaimed Price. "A year ago, winning the Championship was just a dream of mine."
Paul Jewell's first-round course welcomed 31 ponies to vie for the Championship title. After displaying a flowing round, Price and Etch-A-Sketch rose to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 84, going into the Handy Round on a tied score with Robert Mercer and Frog Pond Stables' Captain America.
Under the tutelage of Robin Greenwood, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, Price was no stranger to the pressure of a close second round. The 2022 Gochman Grant recipient catch-rode at the USEF Pony Finals, placing ninth in the Small Green Pony Hunter division. His mount, Etch-A-Sketch, owned by GC Ponies, LLC, is also a seasoned competitor, having claimed the championship title in the 2023 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East.
"Monday was my first time riding Etch and then I did a ticketed school on him," Price said of the new partnership. "On Tuesday, we went in the ring and competed. I catch ride a lot of ponies so this was normal for me. Even though Etch and I had only had a day together, we had already become best friends. Etch is a wonderful pony to work with and get to know."
The field was narrowed down to the top 12 for the Handy Round, where riders could show off their handiness through technical turns and several option fences. After the second round, the leaderboard was shaken up and Price remained victorious for the title and Large High Score Pony Award.
Finishing in reserve and receiving the Medium High Score Pony Award was Garrett, of Linden, North Carolina, and Taryn Garrett's Odyssey Orion. The pair made a comeback after sitting in eighth place after the Classic Round. Secord, of Timmins, Ontario, moved up from fourth to claim third overall with Kara Lynn Chenier Secord's Rodeo Drive.
The Small High Score Pony Award went to fifth-placed Whinny The Blue, ridden by Ivy Smith, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and owned by BWI Ranch 1, LLC.
"If I hadn’t met my trainer Robin when I was younger, I don’t think I would have been where I am today," he continued. "Robin has given me so many opportunities to ride ponies and she has taught me so much. Thank you Robin for letting me ride and show Etch, and to everyone who has helped me get to this point to make my dream come true!"
The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby offers Juniors the opportunity to compete ponies in a series modeled after the International and National Hunter Derby programs. Competitors can earn National and Zone Horse of The Year bonus points, year-end series awards, and qualify to compete in either the East Coast or West Coast Championships.
The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championships feature two rounds—a Classic Hunter-style course and a Handy Hunter course. Fence heights are adjusted by size (small - 2'3", medium - 2’6", and large 2’9"-3’0"), but the class is not split by size. Each derby is pinned through 12th place.
The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Aiken Horse Park team for hosting the Championship; to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and to Award Sponsors Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks, Essex, and Parlanti.
For more information about the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, visit ushja.org/PonyHunterDerby.
Photos: Eye Was Here Photography
USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East Results
Horse | Rider | Owner
Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score
1. Etch-A-Sketch | Tegan Price | GC Ponies, LLC
84 | 83.25 | 167.25
2. Odyssey Orion | Brynn Garrett | Taryn Garrett
78.5 | 85.5 | 164
3. Rodeo Drive | Havens Secord | Kara Lynn Chenier Secord
80.5 | 82.75 | 163.25
4. Captain America | Robert Mercer | Frog Pond Stables
84 | 78.5 | 162.5
5. Whinny The Blue | Ivy Smith | BWI Ranch 1, LLC
82.25 | 80 | 162.25
6. Odyssey Cassiopeia | Brynn Garrett | Taryn Garrett
79.25 | 81.5 | 160.75
7. Cambridge | Robert Mercer | Frog Pond Stables
76.5 | 82 | 158.5
8. Beau Crevan | Elle McCory | Elle McCory
75.25 | 80.5 | 155.75
9. Sugar Rush | Corrigan Janiak | Leslie Janiak
79.75 | 71.5 | 151.25
10. Farnley Charmed | Laila Theurer | Laila Theurer
74 | 75.5 | 149.5
11. FPF Deovolente | Tinsley Saunders | Tinsley Saunders
75.75 | 69 | 144.75
12. Veikko | Alston McLane | Alston McLane
80.5 | 43.5 | 124
