Roseboom Repeats USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship - West Win with Truly Noble

San Juan Capistrano, Calif.—June 29, 2021—Shiloh Roseboom repeated last year's win in the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship - West Coast at the 2021 iteration on June 26 at the Blenheim June Classic III. This time, the Corona, California, rider piloted Pegasus Show Stable, Inc.'s Truly Noble to the championships title with a two-round score of 173.5.

"[Shiloh] was the epitome of the description of the [second round of the] class, which is to be handy. She took pretty much every inside turn that she could. She happened to be on a pony that also jumps very well, so overall, it was pretty doggone good," said Sue Lightner, who joined Irving Evans in judging as panel one.

Nineteen ponies and their riders took to the Scott Starnes-designed Classic Hunter style course, and the top 14 pairs returned for the Handy Hunter round. Judges Lightner, Evans, Liz Adler and Constance Tramm Hunt oversaw the Championship competition, putting Roseboom and Truly Noble's first round score of 87 in the lead from the start.

"For the first round, I definitely just wanted to lay down a smooth, nice trip. For the second, I was really nervous, but I just told myself, 'go ride exactly the same.' I just tried to be smooth but not a hero," said Roseboom.

Her plan worked, as the Medium Pony's Handy round score of 86.5 secured them the tricolor. They also took home the High Score Award in the Medium section.

"We have owned [Truly Noble] for about 12 years. ...Unfortunately, [Shiloh's] last year on him got cut short a little bit when he was injured in his stall. When he came back from that injury we thought we would retire him, and he didn't want to be retired. So we decided we would just go along and see if he wanted to come out for special occasions here and there," said Christa Endicott, owner and trainer of Truly Noble. "I think really Shiloh is his rider and they're a fabulous team."

Remy Becker rounded out the top three with her two mounts owned by Valley Heart Ranch, LLC, Shamrock and Candyland. Becker, of Santa Barbara, California, and Shamrock, a Medium Pony, finished with scores of 81.5 and 83.5 to collect the reserve ribbon. Candyland, a Small Pony, earned an 83 and a 77.75, taking third and the High Score Award for the Small section.

The Shapley's Best Turned Out Award was presented to Wilmar Cruz, groom for Truly Noble. Other special awards presented included the Large section's High Score Award, which went to fifth-placed Child's Play Hot Topic, owned and ridden by Emme Tangen.

The USHJA extends special thanks to Blenheim Equisports and Stephanie Lightner for hosting this year's West Coast Championship. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors CWD, Nutrena, Parlanti and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, and award sponsors Essex Classics, Shapley's and Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks.

The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby offers Juniors the opportunity to compete ponies in a series modeled after the International and National Hunter Derby programs. Competitors can earn National and Zone Horse of The Year bonus points, year-end series awards, and qualify to compete in either the East Coast or West Coast Championships.

The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championships feature two rounds—a Classic Hunter style course and a Handy Hunter course. Fence heights are adjusted by size (small - 2'3", medium - 2’6", and large 2’9"-3’0"), but the class is not split by size. Each derby is pinned through 12th place. The East Coast Championship takes place on July 31 at Equifest I at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois.

For more information about the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, visit ushja.org/PonyHunterDerby.

Photos by McCool Photography

USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship - West Results

Place - Horse - Rider - Round 1 Avg. - Round 2 Avg. - Final Score

1. Truly Noble - Shiloh Roseboom - 87 - 86.5 - 173.5
2. Shamrock - Remy Becker - 81.5 - 83.5 - 165
3. Candyland - Remy Becker - 83 - 77.75 - 160.75
4. Buzzworthy - Lauren Padilla - 79 - 80.5 - 159.5
5. Childs Play Hot Topic - Emme Tangen - 80.5 - 74.5 - 155
6. Party Favor - Sophia Donald - 81.75 - 73 - 154.75
7. Sportin Around - Danielle Pollack - 71 - 80.75 - 151.75
8. Secret Crush - Djuna Lauder - 71 - 80.5 - 151.5
9. Farmore Good As Gold - Eloise Eisner - 73.5 - 77.25 - 150.75
10. Stoneledge Special Request - Claire Marie Diamond - 72 - 77 - 149
11. Napa Valley - Eloise Eisner - 78 - 69.5 - 147.5
12. Mynach Miss Dior - Stella Rumanes - 71 - 71.5 - 142.5