Ben McWhorter (Baton Rouge, La.) and Jennifer Burts’s 1996 German Riding Pony gelding, Littel Joe 2, won their second class of the two held in the pony rider division to clinch the champion title. Mary Chapman Martin (Opelika, Ala.) and her own German Riding Pony gelding Cadbane H, took home the reserve champion title while Alexandra Garvey (Dallas, Texas) and Unscripted, a 2005 Dutch Warmblood pony gelding owned by Dressage4Kids, rounded out the top three for the overall standings.

Photo – Ben McWhorter and Littel Joe 2. (SusanJStickle.com)

Class Results

Final Results:

1. Bennett McWhorter and Littel Joe 2
2. Mary Chapman Martin and Cadbane H
3. Alexandra Garvey and Unscripted

From the Mixed Zone:

Tell us about your pony.

Ben McWhorter: He’s owned by Jennifer Burts, who’s been super helpful and super supportive of me while riding Littel Joe, and it’s been such a great experience. He has a super fun personality. He does not act like he’s 27 years old. More like he’s 10, but it adds a super cute character to him.

Mary Chapman Martin: Cadbane H, or “Cooper,” is 7, so he still has a baby personality. He’s very silly. I kind of have to keep him from not looking at flowers in the ring or something because he might want to eat them. But he’s a very good boy. I’m very proud of him, because this is his first time ever being in an environment like this, and I’m very happy with him.

Alexandra Garvey: I rode Unscripted, or “Artie.” I really want to thank personally Lendon Gray for donating him from her donation program. She’s been amazing. She’s helped me in my training. And also Nancy Hinz, Jodie Kelly, and George Williams.

Tell us about your test today.

AG: It went really well. I did kind of go off course, which was definitely a bummer, but I’m super proud of him.

MCM: Just keeping him relaxed through the test, because he tends to tense up every now and then. I’m so proud of him for just keeping relaxed. I missed a few things but I’m proud of him for keeping his calm through it all.

BM: Probably just going for it today and just showing him off because this will probably be his last big show, and just having fun with it.

How did you and your pony first become partners?

MCM: So I got Cooper sight unseen. I got him from Yvonne [Kusserow] and thank them for giving him such a great beginning and passing him on to me where I can continue to do things with him. He’s been really great. I really love that pony.

BM: We were looking for a pony all over the U.S., but then Joey popped up in our backyard only about 40 minutes away from us. And Miss Jennifer Burts and Mr. Danny Burts were super kind to let me ride him and they’ve been super supportive. I couldn’t have done any of his training, getting him back to work, without Lendon Gray, Ben Ebeling, or Jody Kelly.

Full Schedule and Results

2023 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions Livestream

US Equestrian fans, subscribers, and members can watch the 2023 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions on USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. Not a member? Create your free fan account now.