Local Pony Clubbers have distinguished themselves representing the Central Ontario Region at the 2001 Central Canada Zone Pony Club Dressage and Show Jumping Championships, held August 18-19 at Hawkridge Farm near Kingston. Central Ontario Pony Clubbers have competed throughout the year for the honour of representing their Region against riders from the Western Ontario Region and the St. Lawrence-Ottawa Valley Region (which includes Quebec).

In show jumping, each individual competed in three classes. In the Entry Division, Mallory Jones of the Ajax Pony Club had a first and a fifth place finish, while Jessica McVittie of the Temiskaming Pony Club took a second place ribbon. In the Starter Division, Julie Pett of the Victoria Pony Club had a first, second and sixth to finish as Division Champion, while Lara Harmon of the Muskoka Lakes Pony Club took two third place ribbons and a sixth, Sarah Bortoluss of the Ajax Pony Club had a second, a fourth and an eighth, and Lindsey Forkun of the Uxbridge-Scugog Pony Club took a sixth and two eighths. In the Beginner Division, Katie Murray of the Durham Pony Club won two of the three classes and finished fifth in the third one to take the Division Championship, while Eliza Gravel of the Temiskaming Pony Club came in third, fourth and fifth. Central Ontario took second place in team show jumping competition at both the D and C levels.

In dressage, each individual rode two tests at his or her level. In Basic 1 competition, Tiffany Kift of the Oshawa Pony Club finished first in one test and second in the other to win the Division Champi-onship. Jordan Thompson of the Durham Pony Club had a first and a fourth place finish, as did Sarah Kift of Oshawa. Jordan's slightly higher marks earned her the Basic 1 Reserve Championship. At the Basic 2 level, Samantha Quinn-Steinberg of the Maple Pony Club won both tests and the Division Championship. Casey Barton of the Victoria Pony Club finished second both times and was Reserve Champion. Allison Birdsall of the Uxbridge-Scugog Pony Club was fourth in each test, while Jessie Barrieau of Victoria had a third place finish and Julie Pett of Victoria took a fifth place ribbon. In the Basic 2 freestyle (kur) competition, Central Ontario swept the boards, with Casey Barton first, Samantha Quinn-Steinberg second and Allison Birdsall third. At the Basic 3 level, Larissa Grabowski of the Durham Pony Club won both tests and the Division Championship, along with the Basic 4 freestyle for good measure. In Basic 4, Megan Mattos of the Kawartha Pony Club placed first in one test and third in the other to take the Reserve Champion position. Central Ontario continued its winning ways at the Medium 1 level, with Sarah Rae of the Victoria Pony Club placing first in both tests and winning the Division Championships. Sarah's sister Jenny placed second in both tests and was the Reserve Champion. Central Ontario took both first and second place in dressage team competition at both the D and C levels.

For more information, get in touch with Liz or Bob Inglis, Central Ontario Region Pony Club Communications Co-Chairs, at 416-493-1223 (office) or 416-491-4230 (home).