Member Spotlight: Sayer Townsend

Recently, pony riders across the nation were felt the effects of Covid-19 when their beloved summertime horseshow, Pony Finals, was canceled with the intention of protecting all exhibitors. Although this was a heartbreaking change of plans, not all hope was lost for Sayer Townsend and her riders, who were on hour nine of fifteen traveling from Edgebrook Farm in Montgomery, Texas, upon hearing of the cancellation.

Sayer had two ponies in tow – Emily Kacher’s Wee Farms L No Gotta Go and Addison Russel’s Brillwood Cotton Candy. Townsend and her girls were in “disbelief”, as they had been regularly showing at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, a facility which she commends for their accommodations throughout Covid. Although devastated the kids would not be able to show off their ponies, Sayer stuck to her firm belief that “God is ultimately in control,” and though they “struggled with wanting to be mad,” she knew there “must [have been] a perfect reason for Pony Finals being canceled.”

On their return to Texas, (a fun drive, Townsend commented), Sayer and her girls brainstormed the creation of Pony Nationals, a name coined from a slip of Addison’s father mistakenly referencing Pony Finals as such. Formed as a “fun way to celebrate the ponies and kids” regardless of location along with the close-knit family at her farm, planning the event was easily plausible. Immediately, the infamous Pony Moms got on the phone and arranged prizes from companies like Voltaire, SmartPak, ReRide, and Karinda K Photography. Olivia Brust took Grand Champion aboard Rosmels Last Dance, and Rylee Latta rode Cowboy Magic to Reserve Champion. The overall response was incredible success, and riders took away special memories from a potentially devastating week.

Sayer is aware that while it is “not reasonable” for some of her riders to follow the path to Pony Finals, Pony Nationals is free. She would love to continue to hold Pony Nationals for riders unable to afford and travel the Kentucky Summer trip each year. Offering a model, under saddle, and over fences classes, all riders are able to participate, even if they aren’t quite ready to compete in all three.

Although Pony Finals is missed wholeheartedly for the year 2020, Sayer encourages to remember that God gives “hope and a future.” Referencing her favorite bible verse, she rests in comfort that God has a plan, and regardless of disappointments, she can rest secure in that. The USHJA strives to provide inclusivity for riders across the board, and Pony Nationals provided that in a way that allowed more kids a chance to experience the magic that Pony Finals brings.