San Juan Capistrano, CA – June 27, 2021 – Shiloh Roseboom on Truly Noble, Lauren Padilla aboard Buzzworthy, Laurel Piombo on Chianti de Luxe, and Emma Tangen with Bragging Rights were among the major winners of the week as the smallest competitors took to the biggest sand ring during the Blenheim June Classic III in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
From June 23 – 26, the horse show featured the Blenheim Equisports West Coast Pony Challenge, presented by USHJA Zone 10, giving ponies prime time in the Olympic Sand Arena and attracting the West Coast’s top pony competitors.
From among them, Roseboom rode to the Pony Hunter Grand Championship for the third consecutive time, this year aboard Truly Noble.
“It feels awesome to be grand champion again!” said Roseboom, who added her name to the West Coast Pony Challenge Grand Champion Perpetual Trophy, donated by Willowbrooke Farm. “It’s definitely a great accomplishment for the ponies, and it’s a big deal for me.”
“My favorite part of this week is that the ponies are prioritized,” continued Roseboom, who, like many of her fellow young competitors, utilized the stiff pony competition and the format of the Blenheim Equisports West Coast Pony Challenge as preparation for the USEF Pony Finals, to be held August 9-15 in Lexington, KY. “They get to show in a nice big ring, and it’s a big deal for them.”
On their way to the overall championship title, Roseboom and Truly Noble, a 24-year-old Welsh Pony owned by Pegasus Show Stable Inc., first clinched the Medium Pony Hunter division championship with 31 points.
Roseboom and Truly Noble then put the final exclamation point on their exceptional week by winning the $5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship West Coast.
“The Gochman family had [Truly Noble] for a few years, and he had a really successful career with them,” explained Roseboom, who trains with Michael and Christa Endicott. “He’s won almost everywhere, but he actually got hurt three years ago. We thought that it would be time to retire him, but he showed that he still wanted to come back! So, he’s 24, and he’s still loving showing around. We’ve been saving him just for this week!”
Also finishing on 31 points was Large Pony Hunter Champion, Child’s Play Hot Topic and Emme Tangen; with 16 points over fences they were named the West Coast Pony Challenge Reserve Grand Champion Pony.
In the Small Pony Hunters, it was Lauren Padilla who swept the tricolor honors, securing the championship with So Enchanted, owned by Highland Farm LLC, and the reserve championship with Buzzworthy.
Padilla’s winning ways continued with Buzzworthy, as the pair also topped the West Coast Pony Challenge $2,500 Mary’s Tack & Feed Pony Hunter Classic, presented by Pegasus Stables.
“Buzzworthy is one of the best ponies that I’ve ever ridden,” said Padilla, who led the way in the classic on scores of 84 and 86 for a 170 winning total. “He likes to go fast. That’s one of the reasons why they call him Buzz. In my favorite round, I wasn’t sure if I should do the inside turn to the fifth to the last, and Buzz poked his ears forward like he was saying, ‘Let’s do it!’ So that was fun!”
For the classic victory, Padilla was presented with a Blenheim picture frame and a $50 gift card to Mary’s Tack & Feed. Finishing in second with scores of 83 and 85 for an overall score of 168 were Roseboom and Truly Noble.
“This is a great week and event for the kids,” said Christa Endicott, who trains both Roseboom and Padilla. “It’s always something to look forward to all year. Everyone turns out for it. It’s big competition, and it’s great for the sport.”
The Green Pony Hunters also took their turn in the spotlight on Friday and Saturday, with the Grand Green Pony Hunter championship ultimately presented to Emma Tangen and Bragging Rights, owned by Billie Guerin.
The duo earned two wins and a second-place finish over fences, as well as a second place under a saddle and a win in the model of the Large Green Pony Hunters for the overall victory.
“[Bragging Rights] is the most perfect pony ever,” said Tangen, who will be heading to her first Pony Finals in August. “It’s really fun showing in the big ring because everyone comes to watch you, and they clap for you.”
Claiming the West Coast Pony Challenge Reserve Grand Green Pony Hunter Champion tri-color was Balmoral Farm’s Theme Song, ridden to the Medium Green division championship by Shiloh Roseboom on 35 points.
Finishing with the win in the West Coast Pony Challenge $500 Mary’s Tack & Feed Green Pony Hunter Classic, presented by Pegasus Show Stables Inc., plus the reserve championship in the Large Green Pony Hunter division were Laurel Piombo and Chianti de Luxe, an 11-year-old mare owned by Nicasio Valley Barn, LLC.
“Chianti de Luxe had been doing the jumpers, so she is new to the hunters. She’s just been great lately!” said Piombo, who earned scores of 82 and 80 for a total score of 162. “I think getting the bigger strides in the lines and using her big stride as an advantage was really helpful this week.”
Also earning a special award on Saturday afternoon was Sophia Donald. Donald was selected by the judges, ringmaster and back-gate staff as the recipient of the West Coast Pony Challenge Sportsmanship Award, presented by San Marco Training and Corrine Bevis. For the honor, Donald was awarded a Valencia Saddlery gift bag and a gift from Blenheim EquiSports.
All champions throughout the week received scrim sheets, sponsored by Outdoor Outfitters, as well as Blenheim groom totes, back packs and gift bags. All “A” rated pony hunter class winners also received a Corro gift card.
In addition to the top competition at the Blenheim June Classic III, pony riders had the chance to partake in several special events and learning opportunities throughout the week.
On Wednesday evening, more than 25 ponies and their young riders participated in a complimentary Pony Hunter Model Clinic, generously put on by Carleton and Traci Brooks of Balmoral Farm. The two renowned trainers covered how to properly jog and stand a pony to model, how to handle any issues that may arise and how to best show off one’s pony to the judge. Carleton and Traci additionally reviewed questions commonly asked on the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant Quiz.
On Thursday, riders then had the opportunity to take the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant Quiz while enjoying cupcakes. The winners of the Horsemanship Grant Quiz were Lila Badham, Karina Lyon, Sloane Hollingshead and Taylor Morrow.
For full division and classic results from the week, visit ShowgroundsLive.com. Blenheim EquiSports is the #PlaceToJump all season long. Learn more and view the free livestream of all rings by visiting ThePlaceToJump.com.
All photos by McCool Photography.
