Markel/Cornerstone High Point Series Winners at the Festival of the Horse Burbank
By Lynndee Kemmet and Lita Dove for DressageDaily.com

Mackinzie Pooley and Jonkara Compete During the Massive LA Brush Fire

Pooley is a young woman on a mission – to qualify for Junior Championships, both the National at Gladstone and the International in Kentucky. At the Festival of the Horse, she showed her mare to two blues, Third Level and the Junior Freestyle test. Her mare, Jonkara, is a 16 year-old Oldenburg, and "is a wonderful teacher," Mackinzie said.

On Friday, before Pooley and her mare entered the arena, the sound of fire alarms and screaming engines were heard everywhere, as well as huge, ominous smoke clouds billowing on the hill behind the show grounds, indicating that Southern California was once again in the midst of a serious brush fire.

"I rode during the huge fire," Pooley said. "I was worried about it coming down the hill -- but not Jonkara. She just concentrated and worked..She made the test feel easy."

Pooley has been riding since she was seven. She got hooked on dressage early, with her first teacher in Nebraska. When her family moved to Southern California three years ago, she found Ball, an FEI-level trainer, and discovered someone even more highly motivated and with greater self-discipline than herself. It was a match that has lasted more than five years and looks to go on.

Pooley said she “likes the idea of working with the horse, making something together. It is more than just two individuals.” She thinks for a moment and adds, "I love the reward – doing well at a show after working long and hard. Having a good ride is great!"

Ball worked hard on Pooley's seat last year, using the Dressage Equitation Finals as a goal, and Pooley felt this really helped her develop a good position. She said she loves to watch Ball ride, especially when she is on her Grand Prix horse, Luciano. Voicing perspective far beyond her years – but in keeping with her determination and ambition, Pooley said she loves to watch Luciano because “it's amazing to see the progress from Prix St. Georges to really good Grand Prix in the time I've been with her."

Plans for this year are to go the big California shows – Del Mar, DG Bar and Flintridge in order to qualify for Junior Championships.

And what is after that ?

"Next year, Prix St. Georges. And the year after that, Young Riders."

Sheri Scott Photo: Jennifer Killinger of Cornerstone Management presents the Markel/Cornerstone High Point Series cooler to Mackinzie Pooley and Jonkara