Bluffdale, UT – Aug. 23, 2018 – During the spring and summer, the team at Pony Lane Farm had extensive success in both the hunter and jumper rings at prestigious competitions across the nation. Earning standout results at horse shows like the Devon Horse Show, Spring Spectacular, HITS Balmoral, Summer in the Rockies, multiple weeks of Equifest and the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, horses and rider have reason to celebrate with multiple championships and countless top finishes. The growing list of accomplishments is especially special considering many of the winning sporthorses were personally bred by Pony Lane Farm or are their own exquisite breeding stallions.
“We have had an amazing year thus far in the show ring. Coming off of two circuit championships at the Winter Equestrian Festival, I am ecstatic to see that we have maintained that momentum into the spring and summer,” commented Maura Thatcher of Pony Lane Farm. “Our horses and riders are performing at the highest level of the sport, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the whole team, including our young sporthorses!”
Kicking off the spring season on a high note, Maggie Jayne piloted Pony Lane Farm’s stallion Standing Ovation to an impressive third place finish in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby held in the historic Dixon Oval at the Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania. As the reigning champions, the pair lived up to their reputation with consistently high-scoring trips, ultimately finishing just a few points behind the class winners. Moving on to HITS Balmoral, a number of Pony Lane mounts carried sisters Madeline and Kelsey Thatcher to championships and top honors. Sterling earned the reserve championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters, Like I Said nabbed the reserve championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunters, Skilliane de Varnel led the victory gallop for the Medium Jumper Classic and the division, and Everything claimed the second place spot in the High Jumper Classic.
Arriving at Summer in the Rockies, Madeline made quite a splash, riding Summer Place to the championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter division, and Like I Said to the reserve championship. Continuing the hot streak during the first week of Equifest at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in July, sister Kelsey rode Everything to a victory in the competitive $7,500 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur 1.40m Jumper Classic.
“I’ve had him for about six years now,” she said. “We’ve jumped the WEF grand prix, and we’ve been circuit champions in the high amateurs two years. He’s a winner. He loves his job – he’s constantly playing in the schooling ring.”
During Equifest II at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, Madeline brought home both champion and reserve in the Amateur-Owner 3’6″ Hunter division, taking the top spot with Like I Said, and reserve with Coronado. The mare had recently been reserve champion in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter division at the Balmoral Showplace Summer Spectacular I in Illinois and at Summer in the Rockies VI in Colorado. In the same week, Jayne piloted the stallion Standing Ovation to a great finish of seventh overall in the large $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Equifest II.
“She’s such a perfect amateur-owner horse,” Thatcher explained of Like I Said. “She jumps great when you get it right and she’s forgiving when you don’t. She’s been wonderful this summer, I have nothing but good things to say about her.”
In the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship at the Kentucky Horse Park, Jayne navigated Pony Lane Farm’s Queen Celeste to three days of prize money and consistent high scores, ultimately earning a coveted slot in the event finale and a top 20 placing overall in addition to the respected award of Leading Mare as the highest-placing mare in the class. Up against a field of 145 entries, Jayne and Queen Celeste earned 7th place during the first day of competition, followed by a third place result the following day to tie with Scott Stewart for second place overall, earning them a qualifying slot in the top 30 contenders that would participate in the third and finals day of riding.
Strong contenders at every horse show, it is a good bet that the team at Pony Lane Farm will continue their winning ways in both the hunter and jumper rings for years to come. More than just a talented group of horses and riders, Pony Lane Farm is also a top-class breeding farm offering breeding services to premier hunter and jumper stallions, as well as sales of high-quality young horses. Located in Bluffdale, Utah and Wellington, Florida, the farm further offers boarding and therapy services at their Utah location.
For more information or inquiries, please visit ponylanefarm.com.
