Farah Rizvi Pilots Glynhafan Red Kestral to Grand Champion Pony Title

Glynhafan Red Kestrel and Farah Rizvi in their presentation for Grand Champion Pony Hunter (Photo: © Shawn McMillen Photography)

Washington, D.C. – The 57th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) came to a close on Sunday after another historic week of show jumping, hunter, equitation competition in the nation’s capital by celebrating pony and local champions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. The Miles River Moonglow Perpetual Trophy, donated by Scott Novick & Rustic Woods was presented to Peacock Ridge, LLC’s Glynhafan Red Kestral and rider Farah Rizvi, of Wellington, FL, for Grand Champion Pony honors.

Rizvi dominated pony competition at WIHS aboard Glynhafan Red Kestral, a 10-year-old Welsh Pony gelding. In addition to taking home Grand Champion, she boasted a tricolor in the Large Pony Hunter Division, as well as The Captain V.S. Littauer Perpetual Trophy, donated by Hugh J.B. Cassidy, III, Mrs. William Dillon, and Miss Marion Lee for Best Child Rider on a Pony, sponsored by Gotham North.

Glynhafan Red Kestrel and Farah Rizvi (Photo: © Shawn McMillen Photography)

“It’s really exciting to be in such a big arena where other big sports happen. It’s usually grand prix classes that get to go in rings like this, but this makes us feel like we are a big event too,” said Rizvi. For Rizvi, WIHS was one of the biggest goals she set for herself this year and in turn was one of the her highlight victories. “I think he [Glynhafan Red Kestral] really liked it here. He likes audiences and today it was like he saw all the people and knew everyone was watching him,” she said.

In the Large Pony Hunter Division, Rizvi and Glynhafan Red Kestral were first and third over fences before winning the stake on a score of 87 to take home The Pegasus Stable Perpetual Trophy, donated by Ms. Fenwick Kollock. Reserve Champion was presented to Augusta Iwasaki and Kingston, owned by Ava Peck, after a first and second over fences.

Farah Rizvi accepts the award for Best Child Rider on a Pony with WIHS Youth Ambassador Miriam Dupree and WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan (Photo: © Shawn McMillen Photography)

While Rizvi has only had the ride on Glynhafan Red Kestral for several months, the pair has quickly formulated a knack for wins. “She only took over the reins starting in the summer and she was away a lot, so for her to be able to step up and shine on this pony is a trainer’s dream,” said Rizvi’s trainer Christine Trigger. “I had goosebumps for her – it’s such a big accomplishment. For me, it doesn’t get any better than Washington. This is a milestone show and to get a pony to step up and win here lets you know that you have a phenomenal animal.”

Rizvi acknowledged that she has recently been practicing her dressage movements in preparation to compete in FEI Pony competition at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival this winter and the extra practice may have helped her in Washington. “I think my dressage lessons have helped with my position, and all the practicing at home has made my ponies go better on the flat and helped with the jumping,” she said.

Zayna Rizvi and Swingtown (Photo: © Shawn McMillen Photography)

Farah was not the only Rizvi to shine at WIHS this year – her younger sister Zayna jumped Swingtown to Champion in the Medium Pony Hunter Champion and earned The Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy, donated by Evan Coluccio and Ashmont Farms, Ltd. Swingtown, owned by Peacock Ridge, LLC, jumped to two sixth-place finishes over fences and won both the stake and under saddle. Hannah Hoch and her own Anisette were second twice over fences and fourth under saddle to claim Reserve Champion in the Medium Pony Hunter Division.

Sophie Gochman and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Love Me Tender claimed the Small Pony Hunter Championship, presented by Further Lane Farm and were awarded The Stombock Saddlery Challenge Trophy, donated by Stombock Saddlery in Memory of E.P. (Bud) Stombock. Gochman and Love Me Tender were first and third over fences, in addition to third in the stake and second under saddle. Trading off wins with Gochman, Libbie Gordon and Bibby Hill’s Baby Blue were Reserve Champions for small ponies after first and second over fences, and sixth under saddle.

Continuing the success of small ponies at WIHS, Claire Campbell and Armani, owned by Maher Family, LLC, jumped to the highest stake score of an 89 to earn the Best Pony Hunter Stake Award. The head-turning trip also won Campbell the EQUUS Best Performance Award for a child on a pony, as well as the Potomac Trophy for the high score junior hunter rider on a pony.

For more information, please visit www.wihs.org