Peyten Seltzer and Carousel
San Juan Capistrano, CA – Small, medium and large Pony Derby riders galloped on the grass of the Pacific Field on Friday afternoon in the $5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, presented by Markel Insurance. Earning a two round total of 160 points, Peyten Seltzer and Carousel topped the group, picking up a plethora of prizes.
Seltzer and Carousel had a strong start, leading Round One with 85 points. The pair, trained by Philip Cillis of Westwood Farms, then showed finesse in the handy round, scoring a 75 to secure the win.
The Rancho Santa Fe rider is extremely grateful to have a pony like Carousel. “She’s super sweet, she’s really fun. And she always tries her best for you.”
Peyten Seltzer with trainer Philip Cillis and Blenheim EquiSports’ Melissa Brandes
Along with the derby victory, Seltzer earned the High Score Medium Pony Derby Award and was the recipient of the Balmoral Winning Owner Award. The winning pair also gained enough points to take home the Makoto Farm Pony Hunter Derby Circuit Award in the Medium Pony section. For their victory they received ribbons and a bouquet of flowers, as well as a Blenheim EquiSports cooler, a pewter trophy, a Blenheim “Painted Pony” trophy and a pair of Roeckl gloves. A big day for this pair!
At this time next year, Blenheim EquiSports is pleased to welcome a new exciting event for pony derby riders, the USHJA Pony Derby Championships, presented by Markel Insurance. The inaugural events will be held on both the East and West Coasts, one in Lexington, Kentucky in the summer, and the other here at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano next fall. So pony riders prepare for your future in the derby arena!
An afternoon of awards and bundtinis
Zoe Wolf, who rode Brownland Miss Kimmy, took home the coveted stuffed Stanley pony as the winner of The Plaid Horse Handy Round Award, with a score of 84. For her outstanding handy ride, she also took home the High Score Small Pony Derby Award. Imagine That and Ava Aguilar were winners of the High Score Large Pony Derby Award. Along with fabulous prizes, all who came to play at the Pacific Field were treated to delicious bundtinis by Blenheim EquiSports.
Zoe Wolf and Brownland Miss Kimmy with trainer Corinne Bevis, Melissa Brandes and Stanley
The Makoto Farms Hunter Derby Circuit Awards for the small and large sections were also announced. Carousel’s win today secured the medium section Circuit Award, while Heavenly Patch of Blue and Shiloh Roseboom topped the smalls and Benetton and Gabrielle Sokolow were best of the larges.
Shiloh Roseboom with Melissa Brandes and trainer Christa Endicott
A cornucopia of other awards were given out after the derby’s conclusion to those who help make the magic happen in the arena. Seltzer’s trainer, Philip Cillis, received the Blue Ribbon Blankets Winning Trainer Award. The Makoto Farm Best Turned Out Pony went to Elite Hollywood Smoke, owned and ridden by fourth place finisher Katalina Rickard. The Groom’s Award for “Smoke” went to Marino Guzman, who received a one-hundred dollar cash prize.
The top three scores from each section in the $5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, sponsored by Markel Insurance
Blenheim EquiSports looks forward to welcoming pony riders to the inaugural AON/USHJA National Championships at The Las Vegas National this November.
RESULTS
$5,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, presented by Markel Insurance
Place – Horse – Rider – Owner – Rd 1 Score/Rd 2 Score/Overall Score
1. Carousel – Peyten Seltzer – Peyten Seltzer – 85/75/160
2. Brownland Miss Kimmy – Zoe Wolf – Noelle Wolf – 68/84/152
3. Luvin’ It – Grace Miller – Grace Miller- 83/65/148
4. Imagine That – Ava Aguilar – Sienna Gustafson – 72/73/145
5. Elite Hollywood Smoke – Katalina Rickard – Katalina Rickard – 82/60/142
6. SIG Couer D’Avion – Kailey Hardin – SIG International – 76/45/121
AWARDS:
Makoto Farm Best Turned Out Pony: Elite Hollywood Smoke
Groom’s Award: Marino Guzman for Elite Hollywood Smoke
The Plaid Horse Winning Rider: Handy Round: Zoe Wolf
Balmoral Winning Owner Award: Peyton Seltzer
Blue Ribbon Blankets Winning Trainer Award: Philip Cillis
High Score Derby Awards, presented by Makoto Farms:
Small: Brownland Miss Kimmy and Zoe Wolf
Medium: Carousel and Peyten Seltzer
Large: Imagine That and Ava Aguilar
High Score Circuit Awards, presented by Makoto Farms:
Small: Heavenly Patch of Blue and Shiloh Roseboom
Medium: Carousel and Peyten Seltzer
Large: Benetton and Gabrielle Sokolow
Photos by Captured Moment Photography ###
Markel Insurance Company is proud to once again partner with Blenheim EquiSports for another season of fun in the sun. Representative Brandon Seger will be on the show grounds to answer any questions related to your equine insurance needs. At the show and in the barns, Markel is the Insurance Company with Horse Sense. With offices across the US, Markel is your national insurance provider covering equine risks for over 50 years.
Thank you for your support – contact Brandon to get a horse, farm or liability insurance quote today: Bseger@markelcorp.com – 213-219-7837.
Markel/Lisa Seger Insurance Field Agent Josh Mullins is also available to answer any questions related to your equine insurance needs. Contact Josh at: josh@lisasegerinsurance.com – 949-212-2970
