FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES JULY 2014 9
finishing that course was the best
feeling. Coming out of the ring, I
was proud enough to cry.”
As if placing in the top 50 wasn’t
enough, Lily Grace also took
home the 2013 U.S. Pony Finals
Betsy Fishback Sportsmanship
Award for her dedication and
commitment to the sport.
“Lily Grace works so hard
and we had a great time. I loved
Pony Finals and watching all
the beautiful ponies go around,”
Michele said. “Lily Grace is so
lucky because she not only works
with Jason, who’s remarkable,
but she also works with Kara
Thompson. They’re a great team
and he [Jason] knows Belle inside
and out. We’re lucky to have him
as a trainer.”
In addition to her individual
triumphs, Lily Grace also
competes on an International
Equestrian Association (IEA) team with Creekside Farm, based
out of South Carolina. Training under Adrian Mack and Emma
Phillips, Lily Grace immediately qualified with her team to go to
Regionals and Zones this past year.
“I won all four classes at Regionals and then we went to SCAD
(Savannah School of Art and Design) for Zones. At Zones, the
team has to pick a point rider to compete for the team, and I was
chosen as the point rider,” explained Lily Grace. “I didn’t make it
for the individual jumping, but I did make it for the individual flat,
team jumping and team flat. Now we’re headed to Nationals in
Massachusetts to compete against 20–25 teams.”
Between her IEA team and showing individually, Lily Grace is
keeping busy. Her ability to handle the hectic schedule is a result
of her scholastic responsibilities as a top student as well as her
key position on the school’s track team. She also just purchased
a new large pony, Cheval Bleu, whom she hopes to show in the
Children’s Pony or Green Pony division this year. With a bit of
luck, the duo might be seen at next year’s Pony Finals.
All photos courtesy of Michele McCormick
Lily Grace and Rainbows’s Northern Belle at Pony Finals
