Current Kentucky High-Point Champion Connemara Pony Headed Toward USEF Pony Finals
RELEASE: April 21, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By the American Connemara Pony Society
Balmullo’s Azalea (Concord River Roaringwater Bay x Courtney’s April Frolic, by Custusha’s Cashel Rock), shown as Ooh La La and ridden by young rider and new owner Sara Powell of Lexington, KY, qualified for the 2009 USEF Pony Finals at their first "A" rated show together. The pair were champions, winning all over fences classes as well as the conformation class, in the large pony division at the USEF "A" rated Lakeside Arena Winter Series show.
Powell, who is 15, and Ooh La La are currently state high-point holders in all of the divisions in which they've competed this year. She has only owned Ooh La La for less than a year now. The duo is constantly improving and has come to be quite the team, winning dozens of championships together. Powell, with the help of trainers Sarah and Sean Reilly of Punchestown Stable, plans to attend the 2009 USEF Pony Finals in August as well as many other "A" rated and local shows this show season.
This will be the young pony`s third year in a row qualifying for the finals. In 2007, Ooh La La was 10th in the over fences phase and finished 12th overall (out of 73 ponies) in the large green pony division at the Pony Finals. She was later awarded the Clifden Trophy for the Purebred Connemara in the pony hunter divisions for receiving the most points in USEF-licensed competition. She was owned at that time by Katherine Woodruff of St. Louis, MO.