Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 13

Before the awards for the medium pony hunters ended Lynn Jayne’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing. Her daughter Natalie had just piloted Hannah Bernstein’s Woodlands Stevie Ray to the championship ahead of Hunter Champey and News Flash, and since the Bernsteins were in Chicago, they’d watched everything on the live stream.

“I’m sure they’re very excited,” said Lynn. “I’m sure that’s why they’re calling me right now.”

Natalie Jayne and Woodlands Stevie Ray. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Both Natalie and “Stevie” are U.S. Pony Finals veterans. Natalie won the small pony hunter championship in 2014 with Blueberry Hill and Stevie took home the medium championship with Alexa Aureliano last year.

While the two were independently successful, Pony Finals was the first time Natalie showed Stevie. Emily Aitken started leasing Stevie in September, and had two mediums qualified to compete so she asked if Natalie would take the reins on Stevie.

“He’s really fun to ride,” said Natalie, 12. “I was quite happy with it. I don’t really feel pressure that much, but it’s a good experience.

“He rides a lot like a horse,” she continued. “He’s my kind of ride.”

Natalie Jayne and Woodlands Stevie Ray. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

“She’s very easy going and nothing really gets to her,” Lynn added. “And last year actually when she was in the pony medal that was a catch ride that she’d never ridden before. She is just one with the horse and it’s easy for her to adapt.”

Natalie grew up in a very horsey family and while her mom does most of her training, she also receives help from Patricia Griffith of Heritage Farm and Kristen Carollo.

“Natalie is a team effort,” said Lynn. “There were a lot of us training, so she got a lot of input from everyone. For me, I’m always trying to tell her to just focus on what she’s doing and don’t ever feel panicked.”

Natalie’s unsure of whether there will be another Pony Finals in her future. She’s moved into the junior hunters and jumpers this season and has started focusing on the big eq.

Stay tuned to www.coth.com for all the news from U.S. Pony Finals. Read all about Bailey Lones and her Half-Arabian Raindrops On Roses HL, Baylee McKeever who has some big fans watch from Rio, Riley Hogan who made her way to Kentucky via the hunt field and the division winners.

Natalie Jayne and Woodlands Stevie Ray. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.

Hunter Champey and News Flash jumped to the reserve championship. Photo by Kimberly Loushin.