Pony Up!

Most riders' careers begin on the back of a small, sturdy pony. Ponies are not baby horses, but full-grown horses that only grow to 14.3 hands high or shorter, making them the perfect partners for pint-sized riders. Whether they are fine-featured Welsh Ponies or furry-footed Shetlands, these cute beasts have carried many a child to victory. At the end of a long show day, there is no sight more adorable than a perfectly turned-out pony with a shiny blue ribbon attached to a clean bridle. Luckily, the Hamptons are full of ponies and in the next few weeks, the ponies will be taking over.

If you love ponies, the Hampton Classic Horse Show is the place to be. Not only will there be ponies competing every morning of the show, but there will also be a tent with different kinds of ponies to pet and learn about for both riders and non-riders to enjoy.

The littlest ponies and riders at the Classic will be competing in the Lead Line Class at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 26 in the big Grand Prix Ring. These little ponies must take care of their tiny riders, who are led around the ring by their families, friends or teachers. Although the ponies and riders are being judged on their appearance and position, every little pony and rider goes home with a ribbon.

The Short Stirrup Equitation classes are being held on Sunday, August 26, starting at 8 a.m. These classes are dominated by ponies, although horses may also compete in them. Short Stirrup riders from ages ten to twelve compete against each other first, then riders age nine and under compete in a separate class. Since equitation classes are judged on how well the rider rides their pony and not on how beautiful the pony looks, ponies of all sizes - and some horses - compete against each other in the same ring. All riders are judged at the walk, trot and canter and some also compete over 18-inch fences.

On September 1, The Corcoran Group's Pony Hunter Classic kicks off Kid's Day at The Classic, with some of the Nation's most beautiful ponies competing on the flat and over fences. In order to qualify for the Pony Hunter Classic, the Pony Hunters will begin competition at 8 a.m. in the Hunter Ring on Tuesday, August 28 and Friday, August 31. In Hunter classes, the ponies are judged on how beautiful they look while walking, trotting cantering and jumping, so the focus is more on the pony's position than their riders'. In the Pony Hunter division, riders must be under the age of fourteen and their ponies must be under fifteen hands high. In big shows like the Classic, ponies are separated into Small and Medium Pony Hunters and Large Pony Hunters, depending on how tall they are. The ponies and their riders are judged at the walk, trot and canter and over a course of jumps. The Small and Medium Pony Hunters jump over 2'3" jumps and the Large Pony Hunters jump over 3' jumps.

No matter which ponies you decide to watch in the next couple of weeks, the Hampton Classic's pony classes promise to be some of the most fun to watch - and cutest - classes at the show.

- Sabrina C. Mashburn

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