Rossano and Reidell Day Dream Conquer USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East

Upperville, Va.—June 13, 2025—Pony Hunters were in full force at the Grafton & Salem Farm Show Grounds during the Loudoun Benefit in the 2025 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East on Tuesday, June 10. The prestigious title was claimed by Lucca Rossano, who piloted Reidell Day Dream to a total score of 176. Just one point behind, Penelope Sugg aboard Secret Hero secured reserve honors, while Brynn Garrett and Odyssey Orion rounded out the top three with a score of 169.5.

"I was surprised and proud because it was my first year [competing in the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championships] and there were so many ponies, I had a lot of fun," exclaimed Rossano of her win.

"I loved that it was here in Upperville at Loudoun," she continued. "It was my first time here, and they made us feel so special by holding it in the big Grand Prix ring. I hope it will be here again next year! It was so nice how USHJA gave all the kids a Stanley, a hat, and invited my parents, groom, and [trainer] Cara in for the picture."

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Alan Lohman's first round welcomed 46 talented ponies to jump for the Championship title.

Starting strong, Rossano, of Fishers, Indiana, riding Cumberland Acres' Reidall Day Dream, laid out a flowing Classic Hunter-style round to earn the lead spot on an 88. Following closely behind, Garrett, of Linden, North Carolina, aboard Taryn Garrett's Odyssey Orion, sat in second place with a score of 87. Just half a point behind in third, Sugg, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and her own Secret Hero were poised for a competitive Handy Round.

Under the watchful eye of trainer Cara Cheska, of Wellington, Florida, Rossano is no stranger to competition pressure, having a resume of competing at venues like Wellington Equestrian Festival, Devon Horse Show, and the World Equestrian Center. Using her show jumper knowledge, she combined that for a strategic Handy Round on Reidell Day Dream.

"First, we walked the course with him and showed him all the jumps," she said of her course strategy with her pony. "Then, we put him away and walked it on foot, measured the strides, and devised a plan for the first round. Between rounds, Cara and I came back and practiced turns for the Handy on Cara’s horse Birdie, which I showed in the Jumpers. That gave me the confidence to make the inside turns."

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After the first round, the competition was narrowed down to the top 12, with a tight 10.5-point spread between the ponies. The Handy Round allowed riders to showcase their ponies' agility through technical turns and multiple fence options. While the leaderboard shifted, Rossano maintained her top position, ultimately securing both the Championship title and the Small High Score Pony Award.

"Reidell Day Dream is really sweet and cute," Rossano continued about her pony. "In the barn, he lets me ride him bareback. I know that when we go in the ring, he is really good at supporting any distance I see, so I can trust my choices better. He always makes it look cute!"

Taking reserve honors and the Large High Score Pony Award was Sugg and Secret Hero, with Garrett and Odyssey Orion rounding out the podium and claiming the Medium High Score Pony Award. Garrett and Odyssey Orion have previously earned a podium finish and earned the Medium High Score Pony Award in the 2024 Championship.

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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 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 USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Grafton & Salem Farm Show Grounds team for hosting the Championship; to Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and to Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.

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

Photos:Teresa Ramsay Photography, SDH Photography

USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – East Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner

Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score