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« Previous Page Table of Contents Next Page »50 SIDELINES JULY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE S I D E L I N E S
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By Jan Westmark-Allan
Victoria Colvin’s pony career could be summed up in one word: extraordinary! Tori, as her friends call her, has won almost every major title possible in the pony world, riding up to 12 ponies a weekend while remaining calm, collected and making the whole experience look easy. If ever there was a “pony whisperer,” Tori would be it. It seems there isn’t a pony that Tori hasn’t been able to ride, and ride well.
Now at the ripe old age of 13, Tori is moving on to bigger and better things, leaving her pint-size equine teammates behind. “I train with Scott Stewart and Ken Berkley and now I am competing in the junior hunters, the Big Eq and the jumpers,” Tori said. “I am still showing in the green ponies, but that’s the only pony division I ride in. I also just rode in my frst grand prix.”
Tori not only made her grand prix debut, but won the $25,000 Spring 6 Grand Prix in Wellington with two clear rounds, beating out a feld of 32 riders including veterans Margie Engle, Kent Farrington and Jimmy and Danielle Torano. “I didn’t think I would win, I just wanted to have a smooth trip,” Tori said, adding that she competed Monsieur Reverdy owned by Rivers Edge. “He is an amazing horse and I am still smiling after winning.”
A Pony Career That Almost Never Happened
As unfappable and focused as she is, it’s hard to believe that Tori’s stunning pony career almost never happened. “When I was six years old I started on a leadline pony named Gigi. She ran away with me and I never wanted to get back on,” Tori said. “Debbie Stephen’s suggested to my mom that she borrow Buster Brown from Gene Mische, and that was it! I loved him. He was the safest and best pony around.”
Tori grew up training with her mom, Brigid, at their home in Loxahatchee, Florida and said she started in the short stirrups division in 2006 with
Ponies to Grand Prix?
Victoria Colvin Does it All!
Tori competes under the lights in the hunters
Photo by Mancini Photos.
Tori winning her frst Grand Prix aboard Monsieur Reverdy
Photo by Mancini Photos.
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