48 SIDELINES JANUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Katherine Pontone will always remember her last year as a
junior as a “wicked” experience with the best pony jumper she
could have ever imagined. Katherine, 18, and her pony Wicked
won the North American League’s (NAL) 2012 Pony Jumper
Division Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse
Show in Harrisburg in October. Katherine acquired Wicked in the
summer of 2011 and describes the dazzling black and white pony
– who is blind in one eye – as a forgotten pony.
“When I decided that I wanted to compete in the pony jumper
division I was looking for a pony who could be successful jumping
3’6. Wicked was rarely ridden and had not been shown in over a
year. Wicked didn’t even have an active USEF number then. In
spite of her obesity and lack of training, I got a glimpse of her true
heart. She loved to jump and she was so willing to please me. I
knew I was taking a big risk when I bought Wicked. She needed to
loose a lot of weight, she needed a lot of training and she had very
little show experience; but I knew she had what it takes to be a
winner. Everyone doubted her abilities but I never did,” Katherine
said.
Even though Wicked was far from ready for showing, the pair
worked together as Katherine entered her senior year of high
school to get prepared for competition. After gaining some show
experience, Katherine brought Wicked to the pony jumpers and
joined the NAL’s Pony Jumper Division two months into the 2012
season.
When did you start riding?
I started riding when I was six-years-old. I just started showing
competitively this year, including competing in the NAL. I showed
in cross rails when I was 12 then I took a couple of years off and
learned how to ride and then started showing again this year.
What is your favorite thing to do when you ride?
My favorite thing is trail riding and racing around with my Mom,
who just started riding.
Who are the biggest infuences on your life?
My mom is my biggest infuence. She supports me in every way.
Also my trainer - Kali Jerman. She helps me perfect my technique.
She won on her horse as a junior in the NAL Children’s Jumper
division. I have been with Kali for seven months now. She is based
in Colts Neck, New Jersey.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
I would say the transformation of Wicked from being an
overweight, forgotten pony in a feld to an NAL Champion.
My mom loved her from the start. She said, “Oh she’s pretty
so we’ll get this one.” Wicked is a 13-year-old mutt that
had been to three show grounds in her life; but she really
didn’t have any kind of experience or show record. She is
also blind in her right eye. She’s been blind for a couple of
years now; but it doesn’t bother her and you can’t tell by her
performance.
What are your goals in life and as a rider?
My lifetime goal is to become the best person I can be
through horses and as a rider.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I don’t have much free time. I spend all my free time riding
or caring for the horses. I am a working student at Bella
Terra Farm.
All photos by AlCookPhoto.com
A Wicked Good Team
Katie and Wicked blending in with the jump.
Katie surveys her course.
e
Pony Jumper