8 SIDELINES JULY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
Lily Grace
McCormick
By Arianna Delin
M
any 12-year-old girls dream of ponies and ask their parents for
riding lessons for birthday presents. But some are lucky enough to
own a pony and to be rising superstars in the show ring. Lily Grace
McCormick, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is definitely a superstar in the making
and has also proven herself in the ultimate test — Pony Finals.
Her love for horses began when Lily Grace was 3 years old and her mother,
Michele, placed her on the back of a pony at the Iowa State Fair. Little did Michele
know that this short pony ride would be the beginning of a very prosperous riding
career.
“I’m really proud of Lily Grace; she’s done a great job,” said Michele. “She’s
amazing when she goes into the ring with the grace she shows. I don’t know if I
could do that as well. She carries herself so well and knows what she has to do
to get the job done and done well. She does everything to the best of her ability.”
Lily Grace began riding at the Carolina Country Acres Farm in North Carolina.
This relationship lasted until a year before Lily Grace went to Pony Finals in
2013, when she went to train with Jason Schlotterback at Terranova Farms in
Waxhaw, North Carolina. While training with Jason, Lily Grace bought her pony,
Rainbow’s Northern Belle, on whom she competed at Pony Finals.
Belle and Lily Grace started their partnership at the local show circuit, PHJA,
winning the Tonya Patterson Memorial Trophy for high-point age group in
equitation, PHJA 11-and-under Equitation Champion, Reserve Champion in
Short Stirrup Hunter and Champion in Short Stirrup Equitation — all in the 2012
season. Skipping the Children’s Pony and Green Pony divisions, the two jumped
right into Medium Pony divisions at Pony Finals and competed in A and AA
shows to close out her season. In addition to her trainers, Lily Grace and Belle
were fortunate to have the support of her mother, father and brother cheering
them on throughout the week at Pony Finals.
“Right from the beginning, Lily Grace has been a great student to work with,”
said Jason. “She’s a dedicated and self-motivated rider, who always strived to
better herself. I’m very proud of the young lady and talented equestrian she has
become in our last few years working together. Much like Belle … they were
meant for each other.”
Lily Grace is equally proud of her pony, Belle.
“Belle is 29 and I’ve had her for almost two
years,” said Lily Grace. “When we bought her, we
took her out of retirement and I conditioned her to
go to Pony Finals. We showed a lot last year and
did really well. We also qualified at the Tryon show
and qualified for the Medal at the Camden show.”
Belle, the oldest mount at the 2013 event,
placed 49th out of 131 horses in the Medium Pony
division.
“The arena was so big and there were a lot
of people there,” explained Lily Grace. “It was
really nerve-racking, especially at the in-gate. But
Lily Grace and her new pony, Cheval Bleu
Lily Grace and Jason
Takes
Success
in Stride
