Shawn Casady Wins Big With The Ponies On The Final Day Of The Tampa Equestrian Festival

Tampa, FL - Shawn Casady had a big day in the pony hunter ring, picking up awards in every class he contested with his string of outstanding mounts. He walked away from the ring with four Championship titles, one for each of the divisions he competed in. 

Casady began his day with the Children's Hunter Pony division, where he and Farnmore Silk Stockings, owned by Lionsway Farm, won both of the classes over fences and clinched the division title.

"I am riding a bunch this weekend, but I don't get tired." said Casady. "I ride pretty much every day and I usually ride at least a few. I earn my keep. I can't tell you which one is my favorite, I like riding them all for different reasons. They all have different things about them, you know."

He returned to the ring with three mounts in the Large Pony Hunter's and walked away with first, second and sixth place in the first over fences class and first, third and sixth in the second class. He was awarded to Championship title for this division with Liseter Clever Star, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker. Elizabeth Butterworth aboard Winston was not able to best Casady in the point total and was named Reserve Champion.

Piloting Sunny in the Medium Pony Hunters for owner Bill Schaub, Casady won yet another division title. With 38 points in the five classes Sunny was named Champion. Reserve Champion with 26 points was Halo and Ashley Lecroy.

"I don't mean to be a pig," said owner and trainer Bill Schaub, laughing as he collected ribbons. "He is a good rider and a good boy."

Casady went in the ring in the Green Pony Hunter division with two mounts and emerged with both the Champion and Reserve Champion titles. Sunny repeated his winning performances in the Medium Pony division with another Championship title in the Green Pony Hunters. Reserve was Ghiradelli, whom Casady rode for owner Ashley Foster.

Small Pony Hunter Champion was Picante with Ashton Alexander in the irons for owner Elizabeth Benchoff.  The pair won three classes over fences and were second place in the under saddle and the final jumping class to claim the point lead. Reserve Champion was Imagination, Alexander's second ride in the class.

Samantha Schaefer and Lazy Sunday jumped around today's courses in spectacular form to take top honors in the Large Junior Hunter division. The striking grey, owned by Keli Colby, earned 32 points over the two days of competition to win the Championship in the division. Reserve Champion with 18 points over fences was Eastwood and owner/rider Hasbrouck Donovan.

Sara Green and Lissabon were awarded the Championship in the Small Junior Hunter division, turning in another winning effort over fences and placing second in both the under saddle and the second over fences class. Combined with their two wins in yesterday's competition they were the top point earners in their division. The Reserve Champion ribbon went to Pacino and rider Lauren Hogan.

The highlight class for hunters, to finish up the Tampa Equestrian Festival, is the $20,000 ASG Software Solutions USHJA International Hunter Derby. The class will host a "Tradition, Tailgate, Top Hat, and Tails" party and will be held on Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m. at Wrenwood Farm in Naples, FL.

For more information on the Tampa Equestrian Festival, please visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Photo: Shawn Casady and Sunny. Photo Credit: Jennifer Wood/PMG (C) 2008.