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Mind Your Step(Ped) up in the Ponies

May 18, 2008

Lexington, KY --- Brittni Raflowitz was glowing after winning the Pony Hunter Go Round, Finals and the Leading Pony Rider title on Mind Your Step at the Legacy Cup. Her medium pony really did mind his steps as he boldly negotiated both courses to catch the eye of the judges and the highest marks. The Leading Pony Rider title was the result of Brittni accumulating $2,055, the most money won by a rider in the pony division. The Legacy Cup is part of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, which ended May 18.

Brittni, who will be 13 on June 15, giggles when she talks about “cookie,” her nickname for Mind Your Step. “When I started riding him he looked like a cookie monster,” said Brittni about the 6-year-old, 13.2H, chestnut, Dutchbred gelding, who she says “gives me kisses. It has been so amazing riding him. He is fun, sweet and focused. Around the barn he is very playful but when he gets in the ring he knows to be good.”

For the Finals “Cookie” appeared very alert and energetic. Even though the indoor arena “is spooky, there are noises everywhere, he doesn’t spook at anything. He gets a little strong in the lines but you say whoa to him and he slows down,” Brittni explained.

The teenager was impressed with the course. “I thought it was tough, especially the way the jumps were set up. They were on the rail and angled. It wasn’t your normal pony hunter course which is usually a single fence, outside line and down the diagonal. We never get anything interesting. I like the courses to be a little tougher. It makes you think!”

She was surprised in general about winning the class but even more so because the pony she’s only been riding for a few months is just starting his career and is still green to the competition arena.

Brittni is looking forward to the future and to starting in the low juniors next winter and, she admits, “I want to keep doing well on the pony and just have fun.”

This was Brittni’s first Legacy Cup and she was impressed with the evening class. “There was a lot of competition and it is cool being nervous and knowing I have to do good but I’m ready to go to bed now.”

ABOUT THE LEGACY CUP

A total of 20 ponies competed. With the add back of $200 from their entry fees, the entire purse for the division was $6,500. The portion allocated to the Finals was $5,000 with the first place pony receiving a check for $1,560.

The Legacy Cup is unique in that it focuses on being different than the other typical Hunter classes. Riders receive more money and prizes thanks to an add-back format and the support of sponsors. The Pony Go Round/The Farnley Eiffel Tower trophy donor was Kimberly Kreider. Gifts to the horses and riders were thanks to Personalized Products, Essex Classics and Malvern Saddlery. The Cooler awarded to the winner was sponsored by Stacey Lefton Glick and Kings Crossing LLC. In addition, Goshen Hill Foundation provided each of the grooms of the top three placed horses in each class with a $100 cash prize. The winner of the Pony Finals was presented with The Delta Dawn Perpetual Trophy sponsored by Stacey Lefton Glick and Kings Crossing LLC.

The two-week Legacy Cup is the brainchild of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, Inc. (AHJF). The Legacy Cup includes two professional and two non-pro divisions; one at 3' and one at 3'6" and the Legacy Cup Pony Hunter Division. In addition the format allows for multiple awards within each class and division. Each division has a Go Round and a Final.

Each Go Round offers a guaranteed purse of $1,500. Go Rounds rank the top 25 horses for a clean slate Final. The entry fee is $400 of which 50% goes directly to the division purse and 50% to the AHJF for the expenses associated with the event. In addition the Legacy Cup Committee committed an added purse of $13,000.

For more information about the Legacy Cup and complete results and photos visit www.legacycup.com or contact the AHJF (335 Lancaster Street, West Boylston, MA 01583-0369), Phone: 508-835-8813, www.ahjf.com, email: ahjf@earthlink.net.

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