Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 11

Maddy Darst found the perfect way to follow up yesterday’s large green pony hunter championship at USEF Pony Finals: winning another tricolor.

She piloted Enchanted Forest to the top of the medium pony hunter division today for Betsee Parker after earning winning over fences scores of 86.9, 87 and 87. Swingtown jumped to second over fences to score the reserve title with Bergen Sanderford.

Watch Enchanted Forest’s winning round. 

It’s Enchanted Forest’s second time winning the medium pony hunter title here. The New Forest Pony (Sufoatiks Fire Ball—Muleander) earned the grand championship back in 2007 with Lillie Keenan up.

Rob Coluccio normally trains Darst on “Forest” and yesterday’s large green winner Faunti, but this year a medical emergency means that his son Evan has been taking care of his father’s charges, including Forest. Scott Stewart trained Forest to the championship.

Evan’s been splitting his time between his own Maryland-based EMC International, and Rob’s Southfield Farm in Wellington, Fla.

“My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor around July 18,” said Evan. “He’s quite ill but he’s in care with the best doctors around. It all happened very quickly, and the recovery is a slow process. It’s really meaningful to have the ponies he trains do so well for him. This really means a lot to have this pony and Faunti do so well.”

Darst, Lebanon, Ohio, meets up with Forest at horse shows. She started riding him at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.)

“He is really quiet and has a really big stride, so you can go pretty slow, but you need to have impulsion and keep him in front of your leg,” said Darst. “He moves really well and jumps over fences smoothly.”

According to Evan—who campaigned seriously as a pony rider, and finished fifth overall on Rainbow Connection in 1994—it takes a special something to excel at a competition like Pony Finals, and it’s something that Darst has in spades.

“It’s really tough,” said Evan, 23. “You may have the best pony and the best rider, but one little mistake will be major enough to knock you right out. You need to be a very relaxed—and that’s Maddy. Normally kids are silent with these worried faces. Maddy’s joking around, making up nicknames for us when she’s about eight out. Then she gets in the ring and is completely focused. So much of it is from her mom [Mindy Darst]. She’s a really talented rider.”

Looking Ahead

The golf cart parade took over the indoor arena this evening, (check back for photos later this week) followed by the first phase of the pony jumpers, where Northwind’s Opus and Nicole Kehrli took the lead ahead of Sir-Lance-A-Lot and Claire Salopek. They’ll return for the team final tomorrow evening.

Large ponies model and work under saddle tomorrow morning, then small ponies take their turn over fences. Raphael and Lilli Hymowitz sit on top of the small standings, just ahead of Addison Piper and Louis Viutton.

Check out more photos from around the showgrounds, and pictures of yesterday’s greener mounts.

Full results are at www.shownet.biz.